Shrews chase Shrimps

Monday, 23/01/2012

by James Beavis

None of the sides in the automatic promotion places tasted success allowing the chasing pack to close in.

Leaders Southend were beaten 2-1 away by 10-man Shrewsbury, who had Marvin Morgan dismissed, and are now just four points behind the Shrimpers in the table.

Crawley failed to take advantage though as Maxine Blanchard’s injury time acrobatic kick rescued a 1-1 draw for Plymouth at Home Park; a result which moved Argyle out of the relegation zone.

Cheltenham suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat by lowly Bristol Rovers, for whom Mark McGhee triumphed in his first game in charge, ending the hosts’ ten-match unbeaten run.

Despite Paolo Di Canio’s touchline antics which saw him sent to the stands, Swindon are the side in form as their 1-0 win against Macclesfield at the County Ground leaves them just three points from the top three.

Torquay won on their travels at Morecambe, triumphing 2-1, to move into the play-off positions.

Oxford United held onto the remaining place in the top seven in an incredible game at the Kassam which saw Michael Duberry score two own goals, before netting the equaliser for the hosts in their 2-2 draw against Hereford.

In a thriller at Priestfield, AFC Wimbledon came from 3-1 down to win 4-3 against Gillingham thanks to Jack Midson’s last minute strike.

Chris Palmer rescued a late 1-1 draw for Burton on the road at Bradford City which keeps them in contention with the promotion race.

Aldershot and Accrington played out a goalless draw at the EBB Stadium with the Shots now failing to score in their previous six fixtures, and winning their first point of 2012.

Crewe thrashed Dagenham 4-1 at Gresty Road; a result which moves the Daggers back into the bottom two.

A penalty from Marc Richards was enough to separate Rotherham and Port Vale at the Don Valley stadium.

Barnet registered their third win on the bounce with an important 2-1 away victory against basement side Northampton to move up to 18th.

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