Hearts wing-back Michael Smith is expected to be fit for the Edinburgh derby against Hibernian on Sunday despite going off injured for Northern Ireland against Switzerland in midweek.Stephen Kingsley is back after his recent injury lay-off meaning Robbie Neilson has a near-full-strength squad to choose from, with only teenage right-back Cammy Logan still out of contention.New recruits Barri...Full Story »

Cheltenham boss Michael Duff claimed MK Dons should have had Peter Kioso sent off for a “horrendous tackle” in their 1-1 draw at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.Duff felt the Dons right wing-back should have seen red for a challenge on Liam Sercombe, two minutes after Kyle Joseph’s debut goal in the 14th minute had put the Robins in front.Instead, the visitors snatched a point through ...Full Story »

Chesterfield’s 100 per cent start to the National League season came to an end as Michael Cheek’s stoppage-time equaliser saw them held to a 2-2 draw by Bromley at the Technique Stadium.Cheek opened as well as completed the scoring, with the first goal of his brace putting the visitors 1-0 up in the 36th minute from the penalty spot.The Spireites equalised two minutes later through a...Full Story »

Michael McKenna scored twice as Arbroath eased to a 3-0 win at Dunfermline.After several early penalty shouts for the visitors, McKenna gave them a 12th-minute lead as he followed in after goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet failed to hold Nicky Low’s shot.Kai Kennedy struck a post for Athletic and Kevin O’Hara and Nikolay Todorov had would-be equalisers disallowed before Scott Stewart set up Da...Full Story »

Rotherham manager Paul Warne wants to fend off interest in Michael Smith as he hit both goals in their 2-0 win over Doncaster.Smith’s first-half double was more than enough to earn the points for Rotherham who saw out the bulk of the second half with 10 men after Mikel Miller’s lunge on Kyle Knoyle.Miller created the opener after latching on a loose ball and finding Smith who prodded...Full Story »

Two first-half goals from Rotherham striker Michael Smith guided them to a 2-0 Sky Bet League One win over Doncaster.Rotherham played the bulk of the second half with 10 men, after Mikel Miller’s dismissal, but Smith’s double was enough to earn the points with toothless Doncaster unable to stage a second-half comeback.Rotherham took the lead in the 27th minute with Miller feeding&nbs...Full Story »

Stoke boss Michael O’Neill believes confidence is growing amongst his squad after their impressive run of form continued with a 2-0 win over Doncaster to progress to the third round of the Carabao Cup.Tom Ince gave O’Neill’s side the lead late in the first half with a simple tap-in at the back post. Sam Surridge then scored his third goal in a Stoke shirt to seal victory for th...Full Story »

Cheltenham boss Michael Duff is proud to see his side continue to rip up the club’s record books after they reached the third round of the Carabao Cup for the first time.Victory over fellow League One side Gillingham was earned with a 5-4 win on penalties following a 1-1 draw.Goalkeeper Owen Evans was the hero on the night, saving Stuart O’Keefe’s penalty in the shootout, and D...Full Story »

Cheltenham progressed to round three of the Carabao Cup for the first time in their history after beating Gillingham 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.Town, who scored all five penalties in the shootout, secured their passage thanks to goalkeeper Owen Evans saving Stuart O’Keefe’s spot-kick.Cheltenham defender Ben Tozer had almost gifted the hosts an opening goal after eight minu...Full Story »

Newport manager Michael Flynn will be absent again for the Carabao Cup clash with Southampton after testing positive for coronavirus.Flynn failed to make the trip to Tranmere on Saturday as assistant manager Wayne Hatswell engineered a 1-0 win in Sky Bet League Two.The Newport squad all underwent Covid-19 tests on Monday and reported a clean bill of health.Defender Mickey Demetriou remains sidel...Full Story »

Michael Nottingham’s first-half strike earned Accrington a 1-0 win at Crewe, who finished the game with 10 men.Nottingham punished his former club’s tame defending from a Sean McConville corner by lashing home a right-footed finish from 12 yards in the 17th minute.McConville’s corners were a real problem for Crewe and Ross Sykes headed against the bar from another of the winger...Full Story »

Stoke boss Michael O’Neill hailed the patience demonstrated by his side in their 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest.Josh Tymon scored the only goal of the game with a drilled strike on a slick surface past Brice Samba to secure Stoke’s third victory of the season.As for Nottingham Forest, their woeful start to the season continued. They suffered their fourth successive defeat and are ...Full Story »

Stoke manager Michael O’Neill hailed his team’s unbeaten start to the new Championship season after a comfortable 3-1 win at Swansea.Nick Powell, former Swan Sam Clucas and Leo Ostigard all scored in Wales before Joel Piroe struck a consolation.It leaves Stoke second in the table, level on points with leaders Fulham after two wins and a draw in their first three games of the season.O...Full Story »

A stunning 40-yard goal from Michael Smith earned Rotherham a 1-0 victory over League One newcomers Morecambe at the Mazuma Stadium.The striker scored with a superb dipping effort on the hour to earn his side a battling three points.Richard Wood went close to making it 2-0 the visitors when he poked a close-range effort wide of the target and Kieran Sadlier saw an 88th-minute shot tipped onto th...Full Story »

Michael Appleton believes Lincoln are getting plenty of respect from their League One rivals after watching his side battle back to beat Fleetwood 2-1.Anthony Scully scored twice in the second half after Danny Andrew’s 32nd-minute free-kick had given the visitors the lead.The Imps were second-best in the first half and failed to fashion a single clear-cut chance while, at the other end, Jo...Full Story »

Michael Duff praised the performances of his fringe players as Cheltenham cruised into the second round of the Carabao Cup following a 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers.Duff named a youthful side featuring seven changes from the team that drew at Crewe on Saturday and he was rewarded with a bright yet controlled performance against Joey Barton’s side.Callum Wright and Taylor Perry were particula...Full Story »

Delighted Stoke boss Michael O’Neill praised his side as they eased to a 2-1 victory over Fleetwood in the EFL Cup.Northern Irishman O’Neill was pleased with his team’s dominant display as goals from new signing Sam Surridge, his second goal in as many games, and a bullet header from skipper Harry Souttar did the damage for the Potters.“There were a lot of good things and...Full Story »

Newport boss Michael Flynn hailed his team after an “outstanding” Carabao Cup first-round win against Ipswich at Portman Road.Timmy Abraham’s clever finish from close range after four minutes saw the League Two side – who made 11 changes from Saturday – through to the next round.The League One Tractor Boys, who made 10 changes themselves, dominated large parts of th...Full Story »

Michael Ballack's long term girlfriend Natacha Tannous has shared an emotional tribute to his teenage son Emilio following his death in a tragic quad bike accident earlier this week. The 18-year-old was killed after the vehicle flipped close to their family holiday home in Troia, which is close to the capital of Lisbon, in the early hours of Thursday. Police said that Emilio, who is one of thr...Full Story »

Michael Duff expects Cheltenham to have some tough days ahead during their first League One campaign in 12 years.But the Robins started off with a point from a 1-1 draw at Crewe after Andy Williams and Mikael Mandron traded first-half goals.Loyalty to the squad which won the League Two title last term and a lack of resources has meant Duff has not been the busiest manager in this summer’s ...Full Story »