Newcastle return to the top

Posted Sunday, February 14, 2010 by PA

Newcastle moved back to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship as Andy Carroll's 87th-minute header earned a 1-1 draw against fellow promotion hopefuls Swansea in the lunchtime kick-off at the Liberty Stadium.

David Cotterill looked to have secured a deserved three points for the Swans when he curled a delightful shot past Steve Harper from the edge of the area.

But Carroll, who was somewhat fortunate to still be on the pitch following a nasty foul on Garry Monk just minutes earlier, headed home Leon Best's cross from close range to send Chris Hughton's side back to the top.

In the other early kick-off, Lancashire rivals Preston and Blackpool played out a 0-0 draw at Deepdale.

Both sides had numerous chances to claim three points, but it was the visitors who came closest when DJ Campbell's header cannoned off the crossbar.

With West Brom not in league action due to their FA Cup commitments, Nottingham Forest had an opportunity to move to within one point of the second automatic promotion slot with victory at Doncaster.

Yet it was the hosts who claimed all three points at the Keepmoat Stadium following Billy Sharp's 31st-minute header as Forest went down to their third consecutive away defeat.

Forest finished the game with 10 men when Garath McCleary was given a straight red card for a foul on John Oster.