Charlton feel the heat

Monday, 20/02/2012

by James Beavis

With the league leaders dropping points, it was a chance for the sides behind them to close the gap.

Charlton were held to a 1-1 against Tranmere at Prenton Park. Michael Morrison’s header cancelled out Ryan Brunt’s opener for Rovers as the Addicks’ lead at the top was cut to six points.

Sheffield United took full advantage of the slip as they beat Preston 2-1 at Bramall Lane. Ched Evans netted a brace for the Blades and could have had a hat-trick had he not missed a first half penalty.

Sheffield Wednesday were defeated for the third consecutive match as they lost 1-0 to relegation-threatened Chesterfield at the B2net Stadium. Dean Morgan’s spot-kick proved to be the difference between the two teams but the Spireites remain in the bottom four.

MK Dons thrashed Oldham 5-0 at Stadium:MK to stay fifth. A brace from youngster Daniel Powell was added to by a Dean Bowditch penalty and strikes from Mathias Doumbe and Stephen Gleeson.

Bournemouth remain on the fringes of the play-off positions despite their 1-0 reverse against lowly Rochdale at Spotland. Gary Jones’ injury-time penalty sealed all three points for the hosts in a fixture that was overshadowed by a nasty leg break suffered by Cherries defender Stephen Purches.

Hartlepool comfortably beat Notts County 3-0 at Victoria Park in a game which saw Martin Allen relieved of his duties as Magpies manager just hours after the final whistle, despite being 11th in the table.

Colchester suffered a 3-2 defeat on the road at Yeovil, who are now five points clear of the bottom four.

The same score-line was also registered at St. James Park as Exeter beat Bury. The Grecians had raced into a 2-0 lead by the tenth minute.

Three second-half goals saw Scunthorpe overturn a 1-0 deficit at half-time to beat Leyton Orient 3-1 in the capital.

In the basement battle, Walsall triumphed 2-0 against Wycombe at the Bescot. Strikes from Kevan Hurst and George Bowerman left Wanderers at the foot of the league.

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