It's Round and It's White
Sam Robinson reviews Tuesday night’s League One action…
Tranmere Rovers maintained their 100% record at Prenton Park by sweeping aside managerless Bury 3-0. A brace of penalties for Andy Robinson – the first for a foul on Danny Holmes, the second after Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro was felled – and Jake Cassidy’s 5th goal of the season ensured a comfortable win for the league leaders whilst Bury are left to prop up the division.
The Shakers replaced Colchester at the foot of the division as the U’s picked up a point at home to Crawley. Kyle McFadzean’s header looked as though it was going to give the Red Devils all three points but John Ward’s side hit back through an 87th minute Anthony Wordsworth penalty, given away by McFadzean.
Preston bounced back from their weekend defeat to Crawley by putting five past a hapless Hartlepool. Two goals in a minute from Joel Byrom and Stuart Beavon gave North End a comfortable lead at the break and Jack King’s header shortly after the hour took the game away from the visitors. Full-back Scott Laird, who played under Preston manager Graham Westley at Stevenage, scored a brace in the final five minutes to make it a rout.
Leyton Orient continued to rise as they thumped a Yeovil side 4-1. Ben Chorley’s opener came after just three minutes and Stoke City loanee Ryan Brunt scored his second goal in as many games to put the home side in full control. Although the Glovers, who have now lost their last three league games, pulled a goal back through Sam Foley, Orient were simply too strong and ended up convincing winners as Jimmy Smith and Kevin Lisbie added some gloss to the scoreline.
Portsmouth lost at home for the third time in four league games as Andy Williams’ first goal for Swindon proved to be the winner at Fratton Park. Paolo di Canio’s side went ahead as former Pompey man Matt Ritchie fired home before Williams opened his account for his new club following his summer move from Yeovil. Lubomir Michalik’s header was merely a consolation as Pompey’s home struggles continued.
Coventry, who appointed Mark Robins as their new manager on Wednesday, went down to a 4-1 defeat away at Shrewsbury to remain winless and in the bottom four. It was a comfortable night for the home side as Darren Jones headed the opener after three minutes. Paul Parry’s free-kick found its way into the net to double the lead and Matt Richards’ penalty guaranteed the home side a win. Marvin Morgan netted the fourth before John Fleck pulled a goal back from the spot.
MK Dons and Notts County were forced to share the points at Stadium:MK as Neal Bishop’s stunner was cancelled out by an equally-impressive goal from Jay O’Shea. County slip to third as a result whilst Karl Robinson’s Dons sit in 7th, out of the play-offs on goal difference.
Stevenage took advantage of County dropping points as they leapt into 2nd place with a 3-1 win over Walsall. Robin Shroot gave the home side the lead but George Bowerman equalised for the Saddlers, who have been on a good run of form in recent weeks. They couldn’t get a positive result this time, though, as Greg Tansey and Lucas Akins wrapped up the points for Gary Smith’s side.
Bournemouth and Brentford had to settle for a draw as an entertaining game finished 2-2 down on the south coast. Simon Francis put through his own goal to give the Bees the lead but the Cherries, who remain without a home win this term, hit back with Matt Tubbs’ second goal in as many games and Lewis Grabban’s penalty giving them the lead. However, they were unable to hang on and were pegged back by Harry Forrester’s second-half strike.
Oldham and Scunthorpe were also evenly matched in a 1-1 draw at Boundary Park. Leon Clarke’s third goal in as many games since joining the Iron was matched by Matt Derbyshire’s second in two games since arriving on loan from Nottingham Forest. Alan Knill’s side remain in the relegation zone on goal difference.
Sheffield United and Doncaster Rovers played out a goalless draw in the South Yorkshire derby at Brammall Lane whilst Carlisle and Crewe did the same in Cumbria. Joe Garner and Ajay Leitch-Smith both hit the woodwork for their sides but neither could find a breakthrough.
