League One Review - Feb 17th

Firstly, contratulations to Bristol Rovers for knocking out Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup Fifth Round at the Memorial Stadium. A Lembert header in the 84th minute was enough to send the League One side through to the quarter finals.

Commiserations to Huddersfield Town who could not get past Premiership Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Lampard gave the home side an 18th minute lead, only to see Collins level for the League One side on the stroke of half time. It was not enough as a second from Lampard in the 60th minute and a further strike from Kalou in the 70th minute was enough to guide the Premiership side through to the next round.

Meanwhile, in League One itself, Swansea City extended their lead at the top of the table to 11 points as they managed to ocercome Port Vale at Vale Park. A brace from Scotlandin the 63rd min (a penalty) and in the 76th minute was enough to take the points, leaving the home side some 11 points adrift of safety with jusy 13 matches left. Port Vale 24th, Swansea City 1st.

With the game at the Keepmoat Stadium called off between Doncaster Rovers (2nd) and Leeds United (9th) (due to a frozen pitch), this allowed Nottingham Forest to close the gap on the leading two as they managed to squeeze past Swindon Town at the City Ground. The only goal of the game came in the 50th minute when Tyson found the back of the net. Nottingham Forest 3rd, Swindon Town 11th.

Carlisle United (4th) also saw their game, against Crewe Alexandra (19th) called off due a frozen pitch at Gresty Road.

Tranmere Rovers are once again making a play for the play-off places. Their latest success came against Millwall at Prenton Park. Taylor (10th min) and Moore (45th min) gave the home side what proved to be the winning goals. Tranmere Rovers 5th, Millwall 20th.

Leyton Orient maintained their chances of making the play-offs with a single goal victory over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road. Ibehre scored the only goal of the game in the 26th minute to secure the 3-points. The result leaves the Hatters some 9 points adrift of safety with 15 matches left to play. Luton Town 22nd, Leyton Orient 7th.

Southend United also did their chances of making the play-offs a power of good with a ground out win over struggling AFC Bournemouth at Roots Hall. Barnard gave the home side a 10th minute, with Pearce levelling 5 minute before the break with his first professional goal. The Cherries left empty handed as Walker secured a 79th minute winner, leaving the south coast side some 11 points adrift of safety with 13 matches left. Southend United 8th, AFC Bournemouth 23rd.

Oldham Athletic proved to be too much for Yeovil Town at Boundary Park as the home side ran in a 3-0 win. McDonald got proceedings under way with a 15th minute strike, which was added to with a Peltier own goal in the 77th minute and a Davies strike in the 87th minute. Oldham Athletic 10th, Yeovil Town 13th.

Northampton Town made light of Gillingham at Sixfields by running up a 4-0 home win, and condemning the Gills to their 12th defeat on the road as well as confirming that the Kent side have the worst away defence in League One. A quick double strike just before the break from Crowe and Akinfenwa in the 44th and 45th minutes effectively ended the game. But Akinfenwa and Coke compounded the visitors misery with goals in the 53rd and 64th minutes. Northampton Town 12th, Gillingham 21st.

Cheltenham Town had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Whaddon Road against Hartlepool United. Lindegaard gave the home side a 40th minute lead, but the points had to be shared after Porter netted the equaliser in the 53rd minute. Cheltenham Town 18th, Hartlepool United 14th.

The two sides not to be played over the weekend were Walsall (6th) and Brighton & Hove Albion (17th) as their opponents were involved in the FA Cup.