Oxford caretaker manager Craig Short is hoping his side’s performance raised their confidence, despite it not being enough to prevent a 1-0 loss at Lincoln.The U’s can feel unlucky to have come away from the LNER Stadium with nothing as they were denied an equaliser on several occasions in what was their first game since Karl Robinson’s sacking last week.Their poor run of form ...Full Story »

MK Dons boss Mark Jackson admitted his side are fighting for their lives after going a sixth game without a win following a 1-0 defeat at Port Vale.Nottingham Forest’s teenage loanee Aaron Donnelly scored the only goal of the contest as his first strike for the club did the damage at Vale Park.Jackson’s relegation-threatened side are four points adrift of safety, with the four teams ...Full Story »

Stoke boss Alex Neil does not believe he deserved the reception he got from Sunderland fans, after he marked his return to the Stadium of Light with a 5-1 win.Josh Laurent’s controversial opener four minutes before half-time opened the scoring and doubles from Tyrese Campbell and Dwight Gayle in the second half ensured an emphatic away success. Alex Pritchard pulled one back for  Sund...Full Story »

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted Reiss Nelson proved his worth to the Premier League title cause as the winger hailed his last-gasp winner over Bournemouth as a “great moment”.The Gunners had slipped two goals behind against the Cherries before battling back to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory which keeps them five points clear at the top of the table.It is the first time in over a d...Full Story »

Norwich boss David Wagner admitted the 3-2 win at Millwall was “massive” as his side climbed into the top six of the Championship.The Canaries ended Millwall’s 11-game unbeaten home league record in a pulsating contest at The Den.Jacob Sorensen cancelled out Tom Bradshaw’s opener before the Millwall striker’s own goal and Gabriel Sara’s spectacular effort put ...Full Story »

Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore said he will not be distracted by his side’s record-breaking unbeaten run after their 1-0 win against Peterborough at Hillsborough.A second-half own goal from Nathan Thompson gave the Owls a narrow victory over the play-off chasing Posh.Moore said: “I think it was a bitty game in the first half. We could have got frustrated and we had to keep ...Full Story »

Graham Potter praised the impact of Wesley Fofana after his second-half header earned Chelsea a much-needed 1-0 win over Leeds to bring respite for the manager.The defender was making his first start since the knee injury he sustained against AC Milan in the Champions League in October, and was brought into the side with Thiago Silva and Reece James ruled out.The Brazilian Silva, one of Potter&r...Full Story »

Chelsea’s long goalless run at Stamford Bridge was ended by a second-half header from Wesley Fofana that earned them a 1-0 win over Leeds and brought badly needed respite for Graham Potter.The defender nodded in Ben Chilwell’s corner eight minutes after half-time to bring a deserved first victory in six Premier League games and help lift a mood that had grown increasingly hostile tow...Full Story »

Mick McCarthy believes Blackpool’s hard-earned point against Burnley can function as a catalyst for their Championship survival pursuit.The Tangerines held the runaway league leaders to a 0-0 stalemate at Bloomfield Road as goalkeeper Chris Maxwell made a string of fine saves.Blackpool sit 22nd and six points adrift of safety but boss McCarthy hopes their defiant Lancashire derby display c...Full Story »

Matt Bloomfield backed Chem Campbell to play a key part in Wycombe’s promotion push after the winger opened his Chairboys account in the 1-1 draw with Exeter.The 20-year-old Wolves loanee needed less than two minutes of his home debut to make an impact, taking advantage of a poor Pierce Sweeney clearance to coolly convert his first career goal.Kevin McDonald’s leveller midway through...Full Story »

Crewe boss Lee Bell could not hide his disappointment after his side let two points slip through their fingers in a 1-1 draw at Sutton.Daniel Agyei’s first-half glancing header put the visitors ahead at Gander Green Lane.But the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Rod McDonald was given his marching orders after the break and Coby Rowe struck for the third time in as many games with a dra...Full Story »

Crawley boss Scott Lindsey was adamant his side were denied a “clear penalty” during the contentious 1-0 loss to 10-man Northampton at Sixfields.The home side dominated the first half of the Sky Bet League Two clash but missed several chances before seeing Aaron McGowan sent off following a clash with substitute Jack Roles.But they overcame their numerical disadvantage to snatch all ...Full Story »

Barnsley boss Michael Duff hit out at referee Thomas Parsons over the “bizarre” decision to deny his promotion-chasing Tykes a penalty at the Memorial Stadium.The former Cheltenham boss was furious after striker Devante Cole appeared to be pulled back by Bristol Rovers centre-back Lewis Gibson with the goal at his mercy an hour into the goalless stalemate.Duff hit the proverbial roof...Full Story »

Bradford manager Mark Hughes hailed Andy Cook after League Two’s top scorer “came good” late on to sink Colchester.Bradford scored twice in time added on to make it three consecutive wins in their promotion push. Cook broke the deadlock with a header from Harry Chapman’s cross – his 22nd goal in all competitions – and then provided the pass for substitute Scot...Full Story »

Stockport boss Dave Challinor aimed a swipe at referee Robert Lewis after his play-off chasing side were held to a 0-0 home draw by Doncaster.Challinor clearly felt the flow of the game for both sides was not helped by some ‘embarrassing’ officiating.He said: “The momentum of the game clearly wasn’t helped by the third team out there.“The officiating was horrendous ...Full Story »

Boss Richie Wellens had no complaints after the 1-1 home draw with Swindon that leaves his top-of-the-table Leyton Orient side 11 points clear of the pursuers in Sky Bet League Two.The hosts led through a first-half goal from central defender Omar Beckles but Swindon fought back and restored parity after the break through substitute Jacob Wakeling.It was only the second time Orient’s defen...Full Story »

Hartlepool boss John Askey claimed his side should have gone home with all three points they earned a battling 1-1 draw at Tranmere.Pools grabbed a vital point as they look to put some daylight between themselves and the relegation places, but Askey felt a refereeing decision cost his side the win.The visitors had gone in front just before the break when Callum Cooke popped up to stab the ball h...Full Story »

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna said it was a “difficult” game for his team despite their convincing 4-0 victory over Burton.He acknowledged the visitors were “challenging opponents” but his side did well to claim a fourth clean sheet on the trot.Three first-half goals from Conor Chaplin, Nathan Broadhead and Freddie Ladapo in a pulsating 11-minute spell put Ipswich in con...Full Story »

Michael Carrick hailed Middlesbrough history-maker Chuba Akpom after the striker ended a 33-year-wait for a 20-goal striker on Teesside.Akpom became the first Boro striker to score 20 league goals in a season since Bernie Slaven in 1989-90 as he set Carrick’s side on the road to a 5-0 dismantling of Reading at the Riverside Stadium with a first-half penalty.The Sky Bet Championship’s...Full Story »

Tottenham assistant Cristian Stellini admitted Antonio Conte’s return will be a “massive boost” after they finished a bad week with a 1-0 loss at Wolves.Conte was absent again due to his recovery from gallbladder surgery and could only watch on from Turin as Spurs suffered back-to-back defeats for a fifth time this season following Adama Traore’s 82nd-minute strike.A much...Full Story »

Patrick Vieira insisted only fine margins were standing between his side and an upturn in fortunes after Joachim Andersen’s 27th minute own goal at Aston Villa made it nine Premier League games without a win.The 1-0 defeat at Villa Park continued Palace’s slide towards the relegation battle, with only six points separating them from the bottom three as they still await their first th...Full Story »

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson savoured “a really important” victory over St Johnstone as his side set themselves up nicely for their double-header against Celtic.The Jambos recovered from their recent 2-0 defeat at Motherwell to record an ultimately comfortable 3-0 win at home to St Johnstone that kept them five points clear of in-form city rivals Hibernian.With the Jambos about to face...Full Story »

Rotherham manager Matt Taylor set his sights on also pushing Birmingham further into the relegation dogfight next weekend after seeing his side do likewise with QPR.A double from former Rs loanee Jordan Hugill did the bulk of the damage as the Millers claimed a 3-1 over QPR, who suffered a fifth straight loss and have now just one win from their last 19 league games.Jamal Lowe’s 83rd-minut...Full Story »

David Moyes admitted West Ham let themselves down as they slumped to an alarming 4-0 defeat at Brighton.The Hammers are now winless in 11 away matches in the Premier League and still perilously close to the relegation zone after a feeble display.It was another case of the curse of Brighton for West Ham – Moyes’ side have never beaten the Seagulls in the Premier League and left the Am...Full Story »

Harrogate boss Simon Weaver hailed the defensive qualities of experienced duo Tom Eastman and Anthony O’Connor as his team kept only their second clean sheet in 18 League Two home contests.Eastman and O’Connor, who boast more than 900 professional appearances between them, marshalled a strong rearguard action during a competitive 0-0 draw with Gillingham as both clubs continue to try...Full Story »

Jim Bentley insists Rochdale’s 2-0 victory against promotion-chasing Stevenage will bolster belief among his squad in their fight for Sky Bet League Two survival.First-half goals from Devante Rodney and Danny Lloyd handed Dale their first home win since November.Although the result still leaves them bottom of the division, Bentley’s men closed the gap between themselves and safety to...Full Story »

Hibernian manager Lee Johnson praised the togetherness of his side as they secured a 4-1 victory over Livingston in the club’s first match since the death of owner Ron Gordon.Joel Nouble had given Livi an early lead but Hibs got back on track through a double from the in-form Elie Youan.Jack Fitzwater was sent off for the hosts before Hibs added gloss to the scoreline through a Stephane Om...Full Story »

Ross County manager Malky Mackay was “bemused” by some of Don Robertson’s refereeing as his side had a penalty rescinded and a man sent off following VAR reviews during a 2-0 home defeat by Motherwell.Mackay also felt Robertson failed to clamp down on the “time-wasting” that led to nine minutes of stoppage time as well as failing to perform “basic” dutie...Full Story »

Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher was delighted with his promotion-chasing side as they claimed their 15th home Sky Bet League One victory of the season by beating Charlton 2-0.Ryan Hardie took his tally to 16 goals with a superb solo strike at the start of the second half after having a first-half stoppage-time penalty appeal waved away.Fellow striker Niall Ennis reached 11 goals with Argyle&rsqu...Full Story »

Luton boss Rob Edwards felt it was a vital three points picked up by his play-off chasing side during a 1-0 victory against Swansea.The hosts claimed all three points courtesy of Carlton Morris’s 14th goal of the season in the 39th minute, to climb up to fifth in the Championship.Edwards said: “I know it was a really important three points, any three points at this stage of the seaso...Full Story »

Walsall boss Michael Flynn said he nearly joined in with the supporters’ half-time jeers after seeing his Saddlers side beaten by play-off hopefuls Barrow.Billy Waters’ ninth goal of the season earned Barrow a third 1-0 victory in four games and further damaged the Saddlers’ own fading top-seven hopes.Walsall almost pinched a point in stoppage time as Isaac Hutchinson’s v...Full Story »

Mansfield boss Nigel Clough played down his side’s performance after the Stags came from behind to win 3-1 at AFC Wimbledon, admitting: “I don’t think it was superb.”Ali Al Hamadi grabbed his fifth goal in four games to put the hosts ahead at the Cherry Red Records Stadium but Riley Harbottle poked Mansfield level before half-time.Town substitute Danny Johnson scuffed in ...Full Story »

Watford manager Slaven Bilic admitted his side are falling behind in the play-off race following their 0-0 draw against Preston.Bilic was frustrated his players failed to create many clear-cut chances apart from a four-minute spell midway through the second half.Bilic said: “If we were at the start of the season or in a comfortable position in the table, I would be not happy, but I would s...Full Story »

Mark Robins hailed his promotion chasing Coventry side as they demolished Huddersfield 4-0 to close the gap on the Championship play-off places.A rampant Sky Blues display ensured Robins enjoyed a happy return to his former employers, with in-form Viktor Gyokeres netting an impressive double to take his league tally to 17 goals.Gustavo Hamer’s strike separated the forward’s brace, wh...Full Story »

Eastleigh’s pursuit of the top three continued as they won 1-0 at struggling Scunthorpe.Danny Whitehall scored the decisive goal, a 22nd-minute penalty given after a foul in the area.The visitors had to see out most of the second half with 10 men too after Kairo Mitchell was sent off in the 51st minute for an off-the-ball incident involving Harvey Bunker.But the Iron could not make their a...Full Story »

Dundee revitalised their Scottish Championship title push with a 2-0 win at Cove Rangers.The squad held a clear-the-air meeting following the midweek 3-1 home defeat by Partick which extended their winless run in the league to three games.But Gary Bowyer’s side returned to winning ways to cut Queen’s Park lead to two points while condemning Cove to a sixth defeat in nine league games...Full Story »

Nottingham Forest loanee Aaron Donnelly scored his first professional goal as Port Vale ended a run of just one win in 10 by beating lowly MK Dons 1-0 at Vale Park.The 19-year-old centre-back was on hand to tap David Worrall’s shot beyond Jamie Cumming and net the first goal of his career.The Dons were left with no win in six as Accrington’s win over Forest Green left Mark Jackson&rs...Full Story »

Coby Rowe’s dramatic stoppage-time header rescued Sutton a point in a 1-1 draw with Crewe in League Two.The visitors went ahead in the first half through Dan Agyei, but were reduced to 10 men after Rod McDonald’s sending off in the 63rd minute.And it proved costly as the hosts took advantage deep into stoppage time to earn a draw.Neither goalkeeper was tested in a drab first half hou...Full Story »

A brace from Elie Youan helped Hibernian come from behind to earn a 4-1 win against Livingston in an entertaining game at the Tony Macaroni Arena.Joel Nouble’s superbly-taken opener had given the home side an early lead but Youan’s quickfire double turned the tide for Hibs, who were playing in their first match since the passing of owner Ron Gordon.Livingston were reduced to 10 men e...Full Story »

Inverness gave their Scottish Championship play-off prospects a boost by beating 10-man Ayr 2-1 at Somerset Park.The visitors went into the game on the back of a six-match winless run in the league but are now just five points behind Morton in fourth while faltering Ayr, without a victory in four, slipped to fifth.Ayr took the lead in the 12th minute, Dipo Akinyemi converting Daire O’Conno...Full Story »

Chesterfield finally ended their Vanarama National League winless run as Ryan Colclough’s stoppage-time goal secured a 2-1 victory at Gateshead.The Spireites, who had not won in nine league games to dent their promotion push, got off to a bad start when defender Jamie Grimes scored an own goal after five minutes.Paul McCallum had the visitors level just before half-time when he converted L...Full Story »

Dorking and Halifax played out a goalless draw in their Vanarama National League match at Meadowbank Stadium.Daniel Gallagher headed an early chance over for Wanderers, while at the other end Millenic Alli’s volley tested the Dorking goalkeeper Daniel Lincoln.Lincoln then pulled off a fine save from Jesse Debrah’s goalbound header before the break.Alli was denied by Lincoln again in ...Full Story »

Boreham Wood scored twice in the final 10 minutes to keep their Vanarama National League promotion drive on course with a 2-0 win at Oldham.Zak Brunt and Femi Ilesanmi had gone close during the first half for the visitors, who were looking for a third straight league win.Brunt then saw a first-time effort hit the post on the hour mark, before midfielder Jack Payne finally broke the deadlock in t...Full Story »

Duncan Ferguson was frustrated as 10-man Forest Green Rovers lost 2-1 to Accrington, calling the game-changing red card “soft”.Ferguson is still looking for his first league win as Rovers boss after seven games in charge. They they remain rooted to the foot of the table, while Stanley moved out of the drop zone with this win.Stanley keeper Lukas Jensen pulled off two superb saves to ...Full Story »

Mark Bonner could scarcely believe that his Cambridge side fell to defeat against in-form Portsmouth.Colby Bishop’s header 25 minutes from the end separated the sides, after Bonner’s U’s had dominated the first half and limited their opponents to few chances.Cambridge slip to five points from safety having lost three games in a row without scoring since beating Oxford a fortnig...Full Story »

Salford tightened their grip on a play-off spot after recovering from a first-half deficit to earn a fully-merited 3-1 victory over Newport.Harry Charsley struck his first Newport goal following a January transfer from Port Vale, angling a drive across goalkeeper Alex Cairns, to give the visitors a 29th-minute advantage against the run of play.Salford had dominated the opening stages, with Ethan...Full Story »

Harrogate have now gone seven home games without a win – equalling their longest sequence since 2012 – following a 0-0 stalemate with Gillingham.The hosts narrowly shaded a tepid encounter at Wetherby Road, with experienced centre-backs Anthony O’Connor and Tom Eastman both enjoying commanding performances as Simon Weaver’s men kept only their second League Two clean shee...Full Story »

Birmingham hit the same post three times in as many second-half minutes, including from the penalty spot, as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by relegation-threatened Wigan.Blues were ahead early on at the DW Stadium through Juninho Bacuna but that was cancelled out on the hour by Ashley Fletcher.Things then took a further dip for the visitors soon after as Scott Hogan, from the spot, Ta...Full Story »

Aldershot and Torquay played out a 1-1 draw in the National League after both goals came in the opening 10 minutes.Shots captain Joe Partington put the hosts ahead at the EBB Stadium in the fifth minute, heading in from Olly Pendlebury’s corner.But it took only four minutes for struggling Torquay to respond through Brett McGavin’s fine strike from the edge of the area.Both sides push...Full Story »

Billy Waters’ ninth goal of the season earned Barrow a third 1-0 victory in four games as they beat Walsall to move within four points of the play-offs.Waters’ first-half strike ended Walsall’s run of six successive draws to further damage the Saddlers’ own fading top-seven hopes.Barrow began brightly as Jake Young sprinted unchallenged into the area but his shot from a t...Full Story »

Carlton Morris scored his 14th goal of the season as Luton heaped more misery on Swansea, who had manager Russell Martin sent off, with a 1-0 win at Kenilworth Road.The visitors went close in the 10th minute when Luke Cundle took aim from range, but his low drive was well saved by Ethan Horvath at his near post.Town striker Elijah Adebayo then headed Alfie Doughty’s corner over at the othe...Full Story »

Hartlepool earned what could prove to be a vital point in their battle to avoid relegation from League Two with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Tranmere at Prenton Park.Rovers enjoyed the better of the early exchanges with Harvey Saunders and Josh Hawkes both having good opportunities to open the scoring.But it was the visitors who took the lead just before the break through Callum Cooke and they co...Full Story »

Two second-half goals from George Oakley earned Morton a comeback draw with cinch Championship leaders Queen’s Park.Tommy Robson fired the hosts in front from the edge of the box in the 19th minute and they doubled their lead on the half-hour as Connor Shields’ cross was not properly cleared and Marcel Oakley fired home.Namesake George pulled one back for Morton in the 58th minutefro...Full Story »