Coca-Cola League Division Three 2004/5

Last updated : 08 May 2004 By Robert Craven

Torquay United became the third side to be automatically promoted as they left southeast Essex – eventually, after being mobbed by jubilant supporters – with all three points thanks to Steve Woods and David Graham. Lawrie Dudfield pulled one back and should undoubtedly have had a penalty in the first half, and two handball decisions and a disallowed goal did not go the Seasiders’ way, and that denied the Terriers at the same time.


However, they would have prevailed had they beaten Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road, and sixteen minutes into the game Andy Booth gave them the perfect start. But Town’s promotion party was stopped in its tracks when Shane Duff brought the Robins level a quarter-of-an-hour from the end, despite Damian Spencer’s dismissal thirteen minutes earlier.


Huddersfield will now participate in the Play-Offs, taking on Lincoln City in a two-legged semi-final after the Red Imps slipped to seventh in the table with a 3-2 defeat to Yeovil Town. Adam Stansfield, Jake Edwards and Gavin Williams netted the strikes that gave the Glovers every opportunity of grabbing the last spot, but Rob Ullathorne’s 70th-minute for a 2-1 win over Mansfield Town ensured that the two sides would meet twice again over the next few weeks.


The final spot from the Nationwide Conference will be taken next Sunday when Aldershot Town and Shrewsbury Town participate in the Play-Off final. Shots have placed such a high priority on the final that they failed to send a reserve side to Roots Hall this week, whilst the Salop are desperate to make a hasty return to the Third Division after being relegated last year.


Grimsby Town and Rushden & Diamonds are the final two teams to drop from Division Two. Diamonds needed to beat Play-Off chasing Port Vale to have any chance of staying up, but they slumped to a 2-0 defeat. Meanwhile the Mariners required results a win and led Tranmere Rovers 1-0 through Darren Mansaram on 24 minutes. However, Iain Hume and Eugene Dadi hit a quickfire double to hand the Prenton Park outfit the points. Glyn Hurst’s winner for Chesterfield two minutes from time made sure the Spireites stayed up at Grimsby’s expense.



Coca-Cola League Division Three

Already there…


Grimsby Town

Rushden & Diamonds

Notts County

Wycombe Wanderers

Yeovil Town

Oxford United

Swansea City

Boston United

Bury

Cambridge United

Cheltenham Town

Bristol Rovers

Kidderminster Harriers

Southend United

Darlington

Leyton Orient

Macclesfield Town

Rochdale

Scunthorpe United

Chester City


…three from the Play-Offs…


Huddersfield Town

Mansfield Town

Northampton Town

Lincoln City


…and one from the Conference


Aldershot Town

Shrewsbury Town



Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com