Shrimpers hit top ten, Farmers hit by Railwaymen, Latics hit for six!

Millwall 0 Leicester City 1

Leicester shrugged off losing their five-month unbeaten run in midweek and inflicted more home woes on Millwall at the Den.

Leicester forced a series of early corners, but took the lead from open play in the 21st minute, Matty Fryatt setting up strike partner Steve Howard to fire in a low shot.

Millwall had the lion's share of possession in the first half, but once again looked toothless in front of goal.

The Foxes looked increasingly comfortable as the game wore on, and stay nine points clear of Peterborough with eight games to play.

MK Dons 6 Oldham Athletic 2

Free-scoring MK Dons returned to winning ways with a superb win over Oldham at stadium:MK to complete a nightmare week for the visitors.

Rumours of dressing room unrest looked unfounded when the Latics went in front within three minutes, Kevin Maher curling a superb free-kick past Willy Gueret, but MK Dons fought back and levelled on 33 minutes through top scorer Aaron Wilbraham.

In a frantic end to the first half, Lee Hughes headed in from close range to put Oldham back in front, before Puncheon restored parity with a long range strike.

Sam Baldock put MK Dons in front on 52 minutes with another fine finish, and six minutes later Wilbraham set up Baldock to score from close range.

Alan Navarro scored the Dons' fifth with ten minutes remaining before substitute Ali Gerba added more gloss to the score-line, sliding in Dean Lewington's cross in injury time.

Peterborough United 1 Northampton Town 0

Ten-man Peterborough kept up the pressure on leaders Leicester with a battling win over fierce rivals Northampton.

The home side suffered an early blow when Gabriel Zakuani was sent off for a professional foul on six minutes, but had a lucky escape when Danny Jackman's free-kick cannoned back off the post.

But the Cobblers failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage, and Posh took the lead on 32 minutes when Paul Coutts curled in a free-kick and Charlie Lee headed past Chris Dunn.

Northampton dominated long periods of the second half, but without suspended striker Adebayo Akinfenwa lacked a cutting edge, and Posh held on for a crucial three points.

Leeds United 1 Swindon Town 0

Jermaine Beckford scored the winner that earned Leeds their seventh straight home win but was then sent off.

Beckford headed past luckless Swindon keeper Phil Smith with three minutes left to secure a vital three points for the Whites as they look to close the gap on the leaders.

Smith had frustrated the home side time and time again with a string of fine saves as Swindon looked to be holding on for a vital point.

Striker Beckford took the shine off his performance when he was sent off for dissent in the fourth minute of injury time, after he had just returned from suspension.

Tranmere Rovers 3 Huddersfield Town 1

Tranmere moved into the play-off places thanks to two goals from captain Antony Kay.

Rovers ended Leicester's long unbeaten run in midweek, and came into the game full of confidence, Kay putting them in front after just six minutes.

But the home side were pegged back midway through the first half when Andy Booth headed in a Michael Collins centre.

Bas Savage restored Tranmere's lead five minutes after the break with a long range shot that arrowed into the top corner, and just three minutes later Kay grabbed his second from inside the area.

Carlisle United 1 Scunthorpe United 1

Paul Hayes rescued a point for Scunthorpe but the Iron's away form looks set to de-rail their play-off hopes.

Scunthorpe came into the game on the back of four straight defeats on the road, and fell behind in the 18th minute when Joe Anyinsah bundled in Lewis Neal's corner.

Hayes fired into the top corner to draw the visitors level after Carlisle failed to clear Grant McCann's free-kick.

Scunthorpe piled forward in search of a winner, but were unable to find a way past Carlisle keeper Ben Williams.

Stockport County 0 Leyton Orient 1

Simon Church's 53rd minute goal gave Leyton Orient a scrappy but vital win over play-off chasing Stockport at Edgeley Park.

There were few chances in an uneventful first half, Jason Demetriou squandering the best for Orient by blazing over when in space.

But Church was on hand to net from close range eight minutes after the break.

Stockport had chances to equalise, but were wasteful in front of goal, with Michael Raynes missing a glorious chance in injury time.

Hereford United 0 Southend United 1

A dramatic late penalty from Southend's Theo Robinson earned the Shrimpers their eighth win in ten league games.

The game looked to be ending goalless until Darren Dennehy fouled Francis Laurent in the box with three minutes left on the clock. Robinson fired emphatically past Peter Gulacsi from the spot to leave Hereford staring down the barrel of relegation.

For a full report and player markings go here: www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=437912

Colchester United 0 Crewe Alexandra 1

Crewe's fine form continued as Calvin Zola's goal gave them a sixth win in seven games.

After a goalless first half, the deadlock was finally broken on 63 minutes, Zola netting from inside the six-yard box.

A lifeless Colchester rarely troubled Crewe keeper John Ruddy, and the visitors are now six points clear of the relegation zone after looking in deep trouble just a few weeks ago.

Walsall 0 Bristol Rovers 5

Daryll Duffy and Aaron Lescott both hit doubles as Bristol Rovers hammered woeful Walsall at the Bescot Stadium.

Rovers stunned the hosts with two goals in the opening six minutes, the first a low shot from Duffy, and a few moments later Duffy turned provider, setting up Craig Disley for a tap in.

It was virtually game over after just 19 minutes when Lescott got his first from just inside the area, and Rovers added another two in a second half stroll.

For once Rickie Lambert did not get on the scoresheet, but he set up Duffy for his second before Lescott's long range effort sealed the win.

Cheltenham Town 2 Hartlepool United 0

Cheltenham won for the first time in ten games, but remain 13 points adrift of safety.

Elvis Hammond gave the home side the lead from the penalty spot on 32 minutes after Michael Nelson handled in the penalty area.

Hartlepool dominated for long periods, but were unable to find an equaliser, and Nicholas Bignall secured the win for Cheltenham with two minutes left.

Bignall fired in from just inside the box after good work from Joshua Low.

Brighton & Hove Albion 5 Yeovil Town 0

Russell Slade earned his first victory as Brighton boss, with a thumping win over the side that sacked him last month.

Jason Jarrett set up Dean Cox to fire the Seagulls in front after 15 minutes, and in the 29th minute David Livermore's cross caused havoc in the Yeovil box, where Nicky Forster was on hand to slot home Brighton's second.

Forster scored his second on 62 minutes to seal the points for the home side, and Glenn Murray scored Brighton's fourth from the penalty spot.

Yeovil keeper Josh Wagenaar was sent off with eight minutes remaining, and with player-manager Terry Skiverton between the posts, Cox grabbed his second in the dying seconds to inflict another heavy defeat on struggling Yeovil.

Coca-Cola Football League One