League One Round-Up: Walsall see off Peterborough to stay top on goal difference

Walsall are still at the top of League One after a 2-0 victory at home to promotion rivals Peterborough. However, it remains very tight at the top with the top three clubs all tasting success.

Two goals in the last ten minutes from Jason Demetriou and Manchester City loanee, George Evans, gave the Saddlers all three points and sees them enter 2016 leading the division on goal difference. The Posh drop a place
to sixth.

Burton Albion kept close on the heels of the leaders after defeating Swindon 1-0 at home. Lucas Akins’ second half penalty was the game’s only goal. The Brewers are still undefeated in Nigel Clough’s second stint as manager and stay
in the automatic promotion places, while Town boss Martin Ling resigned on Tuesday because of health reasons.

Gillingham put the pressure on the leaders with a 1-0 win against lowly Colchester.

Dominic Samuel was the Gills’ hero, with his strike after 70 minutes keeping them just one point outside the top two. The U’s second loss in two days keeps them rock-bottom of the table.

Coventry stay in fourth, but lost ground in their promotion chase as they could only manage a 1-1 draw away at Chesterfield.

Lee Novak’s first half effort put the Spireites ahead and looked to have earned the hosts victory, until James Maddison’s 89th minute goal, his second in two games, brought the Sky Blues level. Danny Wilson’s side are only one point outside of the relegation places.

Wigan kept their promotion push going with a 3-1 victory away at Fleetwood.

Andy Kellett opened the the scoring for the Latics, before Antoni Sarcevic’s penalty brought the Cod Army level, but two late goals from Jordi Hiwula and Michael Jacobs moves Gary Caldwell’s side up to fifth. Steven Pressley’s men drop into the bottom four.

Neil Harris’ Millwall thrashed Southend 4-0.

Southend missed the opportunity to move into the play-offs after they were routed 4-0 at home by Millwall.

Three first half goals set up the Lions victory, before Aiden O’Brien completed the the scoring to move the South Londoners to within three points of the top six. Phil Brown’s Shrimpers stay seventh.

Sheffield United remain in the promotion hunt with a 3-1 victory over local rivals Bradford.

Billy Sharp opened the scoring for the Blades before a Stephen Darby own goal and a David Edgar header gave Nigel Adkins’ men three points to move them to within just one point of the play-offs. Gary Liddle netted the Bantams’ late
consolation.

Crewe Alexandra continue to struggle and remain in the bottom four after Shrewsbury left it late to pick up a 2-1 victory at Gresty Road.

Ryan Colclough’s strike for Alex cancelled out Larnell Cole’s opener, but with the game seemingly headed for a draw, Shaun Whalley grabbed a dramatic 90th minute winner. The Shrews moved three points clear of the drop zone as a result.

Oldham Athletic are also stuck in the relegation zone after they were defeated 2-1 at home by Doncaster.

Two goals from Andy Williams, his seventh and eighth of the season, was enough to earn Donny all three points and lift them to 15th. Rhys Murphy’s goal couldn’t inspire a comeback and the Latics remain off of the foot of the table only on goal difference.

Barnsley pulled themselves out of the bottom four by beating Blackpool 4-2 at Oakwell.

Sam Winnall’s brace put the Tykes two up, before Marley Watkins and Matty Templeton confirmed the victory that lifts them up to 19th.

The evening’s other games involved teams in the middle of the table.

Port Vale picked up a 1-0 win at home against Bury. Sam Kelly scored the only goal of the game to move Vale up to 11th and just four points off the play-offs.

Scunthorpe and Rochdale played out the league’s only draw with Ian Henderson opened the scoring for Dale, before David Mirfin pulled the Iron level as the game ended one-apiece.

League One Player of the Week: Sam Winnall (Barnsley)
League One Team of the Week: Millwall
League One Goal of the Week: Andy Williams (Oldham vs DONCASTER – first goal)