It's Round and It's White
Sam Robinson reviews the League One action from Saturday, 20th October.
Bournemouth celebrated the return of Eddie Howe by ending Tranmere Rovers’ unbeaten run in League One with a 3-1 win at the Goldsands Stadium.
Rovers took a first-half lead when loanee Jake Jervis found the net on his debut for the league leaders but Ben Gibson’s own goal brought the teams level before Harry Arter and Simon Francis secured the points for the Cherries, who have now won successive home games and have moved up to 18th in the table.
Elsewhere, ex-Tranmere man Lucas Akins scored the only goal of the game as Stevenage closed the gap on Ronnie Moore’s side with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away at MK Dons. The result brings them to within four points of Tranmere.
Meanwhile, both Sheffield United, the only unbeaten side left in League One, and Crawley Town sit just one point behind Stevenage after both secured 1-0 wins away from home. Dave Kitson’s strike just before half-time was enough to seal all three points for the Blades at Preston, whilst Hope Akpan scored the winning goal for the Red Devils at struggling Hartlepool.
Notts County picked up a valuable win on the road at Coventry thanks to goals from Yoann Arquin and Andre Boucaud. The Magpies were made to sweat late on when Richard Wood pulled a goal back but they held on to remain unbeaten away from home thus far this season.
Colchester’s recent revival continued with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Carlisle. Craig Eastmond and Jabo Ibehre with the goals which propelled the U’s up to 15th and five points clear of the relegation zone. Carlisle lie in 17th.
Scunthorpe managed to snatch a point at Swindon, who had Aden Flint sent off in the first-half for two yellow cards. Paolo Di Canio’s men had taken the lead through James Collins but Karl Hawley’s equaliser meant that the points had to be shared at the County Ground.
Doncaster came from behind to beat Brentford 2-1 at the Keepmoat Stadium. Jonathan Douglas had given the Bees the lead right on half-time but David Cotterill’s equaliser was added to by Billy Paynter as Dean Saunders’ side pushed themselves to a point adrift of the play-offs.
Oldham brushed aside Leyton Orient with an easy 2-0 win at Boundary Park. Matt Derbyshire scored his fourth goal since arriving on loan from Nottingham Forest and Jose Baxter doubled the lead to ensure that Orient would travel back to London with nothing to show for their efforts.
Portsmouth have begun to find some form with a 3-1 victory over Shrewsbury taking their unbeaten run in the league to five games. Wes Thomas, on loan from Bournemouth, opened the scoring before Izale McLeod got a second. Marvin Morgan gave Shrewsbury hope but it was extinguished seconds later as the big frontman was sent off. McLeod scored his second in injury time to round off a good day for Michael Appleton’s men.
Walsall threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at home with Crewe at the Banks’s Stadium. Early goals from Jamie Paterson and Florent Cuvelier handed the Saddlers a comfortable cushion but Mark Ellis halved the deficit and Chuks Aneke, on loan from Arsenal, equalised in injury time to rescue the Railwaymen a precious point.
Bury still remain without a win as they went down to a 2-1 defeat at Yeovil. Leeds loanee Zac Thompson was sent off for the Shakers just before the half-hour mark and the home side took advantage within 10 minutes with Byron Webster netting. However, Dom Poleon, also on loan from Leeds, equalised for Kevin Blackwell’s men to give them hopes of a victory which were snatched away by Sam Foley, who scored his second goal in as many games.
