Huddersfield Town edged into the second automatic promotion spot after earning a draw against fellow promotion chasers Swansea City. Lee Trundle and Leon Britton fired the Swans into a 2-0 lead by half-time before late goals from Martin McIntosh and David Graham secured a draw at odds of 9/4.
Southend United missed the chance to stretch their lead at the top of League One as Walsall, under new boss Kevan Broadhurst, held them to a goalless draw. Shrimpers captain Spencer Prior went off injured after five minutes as the two sides played out an 11/4 stalemate.
Following last weekend’s FA Cup glamour tie against Chelsea, Colchester United were brought back down to earth with a bump against Barnsley. Tykes midfielder Brian Howard scored the only goal of the game after 72 minutes to seal a 13/10 home win.
Brentford suffered a rare home defeat at the hands of 4/1 outsiders Port Vale. A long range effort from Jeff Smith nine minutes before the break was enough to keep the Valiants slender play-off hopes alive.
Play-off hopefuls Oldham Athletic secured a narrow 20/21 win against Tranmere Rovers at Boundary Park. Richie Wellens struck the decisive goal 10 minutes before half time.
Nottingham Forest were the safest bet of the day by crushing Swindon Town 7-1 at the City Ground. Nicky Southall broke the deadlock for 8/11 Forest after three minutes before Wes Morgan and Iain Breckin added further goals before the break. Southall completed his hat-trick with goals after 51 and 55 minutes before Morgan and Lester completed the rout. Trevor Benjamin gave the Robins some pride on 76.
Rotherham United’s survival hopes took a turn for the worse as they crashed 4-0 at home against Chesterfield. Three goals in a nine minute spell for Glynn Hurst just before half time and David Niven and Mark Allott early in the second period ended the Millers’ mini revival. Jamie O’Hara added a fourth for the 9/5 Spireites three minutes from time.
Rock-bottom Milton Keynes Dons sealed a precious victory at 13/8 against visitors Bradford City. Ben Harding opened the scoring for the Dons after 58 minutes but Steve Claridge ended a 17-match barren run six minutes later. A last gasp winner from Dean Lewington took the Dons to within four points from safety.
