Championship
Wolves terrible form continued as they took a 4-0 pummelling from Brentford at Griffin Park, who delivered the blow in style with three goals in the final 15 minutes. How quickly things change in the Championship: exactly one month ago Wolves were third – only goal difference between them and the summit – while Brentford languished in 13th having just lost to Bolton 3-1.
Five games on it is Brentford in third with eyes for automatic qualification having scored 14 goals in a quintet of wins. Kenny Jackett’s team meanwhile have lost their last four, conceding 14, and today’s defeat left them in 12th.
The Bees closed to within a point of Derby after the league leaders were beaten by Mirco Antenucci’s double either side of half-time for Leeds. Mark Warburton’s side would be second had it not been for Ipswich debutant Noel Hunt’s 95th-minute winner at Charlton with a low, drilled finish from the edge of the box to seal a 1-0 success and spark pandemonium.
There was more last-gasp drama when Middlesbrough met Blackburn as Patrick Bamford’s quite late goal was matched by Rudy Gestede’s very late equaliser, albeit debatable – goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos laid stricken following a challenge as Gestede fired in and the Boro manager, Aitor Karanka, was sent to the stands for his protestations.
Both sides remain in the playoff positions, along with Bournemouth who let in a late one of their own when Magaye Gueye completed a 2-2 draw to snatch a point for Millwall. Watford missed a chance to climb into the top six after a 1-0 loss to Cardiff, Adam le Fondre doing the damage.
Birmingham also left it late, beating Forest 2-1 thanks to the fourth official who stepped in to award a penalty for Britt Assombalonga’s handball on the line. At the other end of the table Fulham came back from a goal down in the second half to beat Brighton, who dropped into the bottom three after Rotherham drew 1-1 with Blackpool. The revival continues under Kit Symons with Fulham up to 16th having won five in 10.
League One
Swindon responded to Bristol City’s 3-0 hammering of Peterborough on Friday night with a win at home to Fleetwood, Ben Gladwin’s 86th-minute header eventually breaking the visitors’ resistance.
Colchester’s poor run of results continued with a 6-0 mauling by MK Dons as Arsenal loanee Benik Afobe grabbed a hat-trick. The Dons remain fourth, while Oldham’s 3-0 win at Rochdale pushed them above their hosts and into the top six thanks to two goals from another Premier League loanee, Aston Villa’s Daniel Johnson.
Paddy Madden’s two first-half goals delivered a boost in Scunthorpe’s fight for survival in a 2-1 win away at Barnsley, and an entertaining game between Port Vale and Gillingham at Priestfield finished 2-2 when Michael Brown scored in injury time to deny the Gills a useful three points – Peter Taylor’s side remain 20th.
League Two
Burton’s fine run of games against those around them at the top came to an end in a 1-0 defeat by Shrewsbury. Burton came into the match after back-to-back triumphs over the top two, Wycombe and Luton, but couldn’t add a third important victory. The contest was settled by Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro’s rising drive from eight yards with eight minutes left on the clock and leaves the Shrews third.
League leaders Wycombe put three past bottom side Hartlepool and Luton did likewise against Mansfield to move up to second. Newport also found the net three times as they overcame Carlisle 3-2 to rise into the playoff places. Carlisle remain 22nd, three points clear of danger.
And Cambridge jumped into the top 10 after Portsmouth were outplayed by struggling Tranmere (Rovers’ first win in 13 league games), Morcambe could only salvage a late point at Stevenage and Accrington lost 3-2 to Exeter on Friday night.
