League One Betting Review - 26 February 2006
Huddersfield Town edged into the second automatic promotion spot
after earning a draw against fellow promotion chasers Swansea
City. Lee Trundle and Leon Britton fired the Swans into a 2-0
lead by half-time before late goals from Martin McIntosh and
David Graham secured a draw at odds of 9/4.
Southend United missed the chance to stretch their lead at the
top of League One as Walsall, under new boss Kevan Broadhurst,
held them to a goalless draw. Shrimpers captain Spencer Prior
went off injured after five minutes as the two sides played out
an 11/4 stalemate.
Following last weekend's FA Cup glamour tie against Chelsea,
Colchester United were brought back down to earth with a bump
against Barnsley. Tykes midfielder Brian Howard scored the only
goal of the game after 72 minutes to seal a 13/10 home win.
Brentford suffered a rare home defeat at the hands of 4/1
outsiders Port Vale. A long range effort from Jeff Smith nine
minutes before the break was enough to keep the Valiants slender
play-off hopes alive.
Play-off hopefuls Oldham Athletic secured a narrow 20/21 win
against Tranmere Rovers at Boundary Park. Richie Wellens struck
the decisive goal 10 minutes before half time.
Nottingham Forest were the safest bet of the day by crushing
Swindon Town 7-1 at the City Ground. Nicky Southall broke the
deadlock for 8/11 Forest after three minutes before Wes Morgan
and Iain Breckin added further goals before the break. Southall
completed his hat-trick with goals after 51 and 55 minutes
before Morgan and Lester completed the rout. Trevor Benjamin
gave the Robins some pride on 76.
Rotherham United's survival hopes took a turn for the worse as
they crashed 4-0 at home against Chesterfield. Three goals in a
nine minute spell for Glynn Hurst just before half time and
David Niven and Mark Allott early in the second period ended the
Millers' mini revival. Jamie O'Hara added a fourth for the 9/5
Spireites three minutes from time.
Rock-bottom Milton Keynes Dons sealed a precious victory at 13/8
against visitors Bradford City. Ben Harding opened the scoring
for the Dons after 58 minutes but Steve Claridge ended a
17-match barren run six minutes later. A last gasp winner from
Dean Lewington took the Dons to within four points from safety.