League One Review (February 14th)

Last updated : 14 February 2005 By Bournemouth Co-Ordinator
Luton Town might have dealt the killer blow in the race for the League One title as they beat their nearest rivals Hull City at Kenilworth Road. The 9500 crowd were made to wait until the 89th minute for Brkovic scored the all important winner. Luton Town 1st, Hull City 2nd.

So what of the chasing pack?
Tranmere Rovers failed a take advantage of Hull's slip as they could only manage a draw against lowly Colchester United. It all started so well for Rovers as Dadi put them in to an 8th minute lead only to see Keith equalise in the 65th minute to ensure that a point headed back to Essex. Tranmere Rovers 3rd, Colchester United 17th.

Sheffield Wednesday couldn't do any better either. They saw Yorkshire rivals Bradford City inflict their 5th home defeat of the season with a 2-1 win in front of 23232. Summerbee put the visitors ahead on 6 minutes. MacLean levelled on 71 minutes, but I doubt whether the Owls bargained for a Morrison winner in the final few seconds! Sheffield Wednesday 5th, Bradford City 8th.

Swindon Town, just outside the play-off places, also secured 3 all important points as they secured a 2-1 home win over Barnsley. Parkin got the scoring off to a start when he scored in the 13th minute, with Burns levelling for the visitors on the half hour mark. But Swindon were not to be denied as Parkin secured the points with his second of the match on 76 minutes. Swindon Town 7th, Barnsley 14th.

AFC Bournemouth notched up the biggest (and luckiest) win of the day by knocking 4 past Oldham Athletic. A 0-0 looked likely in the opening period, but for a Steve Fletcher header on the half hour mark. With Oldham missing very good chances, they were made to pay for their misses as Garreth O'Connor (60 & 90) and Jamie Hayter (81) made sure that the Cherries secured their first win since January 1st! AFCB 9th, Oldham Athletic 18th.

Bristol City slipped up at home against Walsall on Friday evening. A 75th minute strike from Surman made sure that the 3 points went back up the M5 to the West Midlands. Bristol City 10th, Walsall 13th.

Doncaster Rovers didn't do too much better, as they also lost at home - but to Chesterfield. N'Toya-Zoa secured the points for the Derbyshire side in the 87th minute. Doncaster Rovers 11th, Chesterfield 12th.

Huddersfield Town seem to be slipping in the wrong direction at the moment. They slipped up against Franchise FC as they bid to stay in League One. Booth put the visitors head on the half hour mark, but McLeod leveled 3 minutes later. A share of the points seemed likely before Platt secured the points for the home side with moments to spare. Franchise FC 21st, Huddersfield Town 15th.

Port Vale made it wins on consecutive weekends as they travelled to Stockport County and took home the points. Lowdes and Paynter (22 & 52) put Vale in to a 2-goal lead before Le Fondre (88) netted the consolation. Prt Vale 16th, Stockport County 24th.

Torquay United would have been satisfied with their trip to north Wales as they drew with Wrexham. Kuffour probably though that he'd done enough having scored on 20 minutes. But the west country outfit could not hold on to the lead as Ugarte made sure that Wrexham also kept their survival hopes alive with the equaliser. Wrexham 22nd, Torquay United 20th.

With Brentford and Hartlepool in FA Cup action, this meant that Blackpool and Peterborough had a free weekend.

Of the FA Cup combatants, Brentford won through to the Fifth Round as Rankin scored 3 minutes after the break to ensure an away day trip down the M3 to Southampton. This after they were reduced to 10 men for much of the game.