For the first time in their history, Colchester United will be playing in the 2nd tier of English football! Their promotion came courtesy of a 0-0 at Huish against Yeovil Town. Yeovil Town 15th, Colchester United 2nd (p).
Brentford eventually staggered home with yet another draw - their 16th draw of the season as they drew 2-2 at Dean Court against AFC Bournemouth. Sodje had put the visitors ahead in the 22nd minute, but that was cancelled out by a neat Foley free kick on the stroke of half time. Frampton then gave the visitors renewed hope of an automatic promotion place (if Yeovil had beaten Colchester) when he tapped in a close range effort in the 64th minute. But the play-offs were confirmed when Steve Fletcher tapped in himself in the 2nd minute of time added on at the end of the game! Both sides were reduced to 10-men when Griffiths was sent off for a 2nd bookable in the 77th minute, which was followed by Sodje for a 2nd bookable in the 83rd! AFC Bournemouth 17th, Brentford 3rd.
Huddersfield Town confirmed their play-off place with a 0-0 draw away at already-relegated Swindon Town. Swindon Town 23rd (r), Huddersfield Town 4th.
Barnsley may have beaten the winners of the League One wooden spoon, Walsall by a score of 2-1, but Walsall won the yellow card count 5-4, with one red (2nd bookable) thrown in for good measure! Richards fired the home side ahead in the 30th minute, which was cancelled out by a Keates penalty in the 58th minute. But the points were made safe in the 82nd minute when Nardiello converted the games 2nd penalty. Walsall 24th (r), Barnsley 5th.
If Swansea City were worried out their qualification after recent slips, they put all that behind them as they emphatically trounced Chesterfield at Saltergate. A Knight hat trick in the 4th, 78th and 88th minutes, with a Fallon strike in the 32nd minute swept the home side away with a 0-4 away win! Chesterfield 16th, Swansea City 6th.
With the promotion and play-off places taken, there was drama at the foot of the table where Rotherham United, Hartlepool and Franchise FC were locked in a 3-way tussle to stay up!
The game of the day at the foot of the table came at Millmoor where Rotherham United locked horns in a winner takes all encounter with Franchise FC. Much to the disappointment of the footballing world (NOT), a final score of 0-0 saw Franchise go down (AT LAST) after weeks of looking as if they could escape! Rotherham United 20th, Franchise FC 22nd (r).
Hartlepool United will also be playing in the basement division after they could only manage a draw at home to Port Vale. Vale even took the lead in the 76th minute through Cummins. Brown levelled in the 85th, but a winner was not forthcoming leaving a draw to be insufficient to avoid the drop. Hartlepool United 21st, Port Vale 13th.
Of the rest of League One ........... Nottingham Forest will have to swallow their pride for at least another season as they could only draw 1-1 away to Bradford City at Valley Parade. Windass had put the home side ahead in the 19th minute, but the points were shared when Bennett levelled in the 87th. Bradford City 11th, Nottingham Forest 7th.
Doncaster Rovers finished the season strongly after their 2-0 away win over manager less Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park. Guy put the home side ahead in the 11th minute, which was followed by a Roberts strike in the 42nd minute to round off a miserable season for the home side. Tranmere Rovers 18th, Doncaster Rovers 8th.
Oldham Athletic finished tamely with Scunthorpe United with a 1-1 draw. Eyres put the home side ahead in the 45th minute, and then saw Sharp level in the 87th. Oldham Athletic 10th, Scunthorpe United 12th.
Finally, the highest scoring game of the day came at Bloomfield Road where Blackpool fought out a 3-3 draw with Gillingham. Blinkhorm had fired the seasiders ahead in the 12th minute, with Byfield levelling in the 27th. The visitors, through Byfield, snatched the lead in the 51st, which was cancelled out by Parker in the 55th. Parker then restored the home sides advantage in the 68th minute, but saw that cancelled out by Flynn in the 85th minute. Blackpool 19th, Gillingham 14th.