One Vision - 26th April 2006

Southend's promotion party was put on hold whilst Walsall were relegated from League One on a busy Saturday afternoon.

The Saddlers' 3-1 home defeat to Huddersfield, coupled with Yeovil and Rotherham picking up points, confirmed they will be playing League Two football next season.

The Terriers, who remain three points shy of automatic promotion thanks to the result, went into the break a goal ahead thanks to Danny Graham and their chances were handed a boost when the home side had Chris Westwood dismissed for violent conduct on 71 minutes.

Peter Jackson's side then edged further in front through Pawel Abbott (83), but a frantic late flurry saw on-loan Luton midfielder Michael Leary reduce the deficit (91) before Andy Booth (93) deepened the gloom at the Bescot Stadium.

At the top of the table Southend knew a win would guarantee their promotion to The Championship, but Steve Tilson's side failed to read the script as a James Coppinger goal (46) saw Doncaster claim a 1-0 win that kept their play-off hopes alive.

Rivals Colchester are now just three points off the top of the table, with two games to play, after claiming a 2-1 win at struggling Bournemouth.

Within the first ten minutes Liam Chilvers and Stephen Cooke traded goals, but it was left to Scott Vernon on 51 minutes to ensure the Essex outfit remain one point ahead of the play-offs.

Their closest challengers Brentford maintained the pressure with a 3-1 win over Swindon - who are now close to the drop after slumping to five points shy of safety.

Martin Allen's Bees raced to a two-goal lead before the break thanks to strikes from Paul Brooker (27) and Marcus Gayle (39), and after Aaron Brown (71) had reduced arrears Calum Willock (75) ended any hopes of a home comeback.

Barnsley's hopes of automatic promotion were ended by Blackpool, and they are still hanging onto a play-off position by one point after a 1-1 draw.

Blackpool took the lead through Keigan Parker on 21 minutes, but eight minutes after the break Brian Howard drew the Yorkshire side level - who later had Paul Reid dismissed for a professional foul.

Nottingham Forest's resurgent form was halted by Hartlepool who are now three points adrift of safety after a dramatic 3-2 win.

Forest looked to be in control when former Wycombe hot-shot Nathan Tyson scored after quarter of an hour, but Joel Porter (32) levelled before the break.

After half time it was a different proposition for the home side as two goals in the space of a minute from Michael Nelson and Michael Proctor sent Victoria park into raptures, before Kris Commons (67) set up a nervy conclusion.

MK Dons also did their hopes of avoiding the drop the world of good as they moved to within two points of 20th placed Rotherham with a 2-1 win at Chesterfield.

Danny Wilson's side developed early momentum when Clive Platt scored on 13 minutes, but Chesterfield equalised through Colin Larkin (50) before Gareth Edds claimed a dramatic late victory four minutes from time.

Rotherham's 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe contributed to Walsall's demise, and it was Will Hoskins' 83rd minute equaliser that dealt the final blow after Scunthorpe had taken the lead through Andrew Keogh (41).

Yeovil's 4-3 triumph at home to Gillingham moved them three points clear of the drop zone, but they looked in trouble when The Gills stole in front on 12 minutes through Tommy Black.

However the visitors them compromised their own efforts when Brent Sancho was dismissed just four minutes later, with Phil Jevons scoring from the resultant spot kick.

Further strikes from Chris Cohen (36), Paul Terry (52) and Aaron Davies (56) seemed to put Steve Thompson's side in control, but Michael Flynn (77) and Andrew Crofts (88) ensured their win was far from straightforward.

A resounding 3-0 win for Bristol City saw Gary Johnson's side cut the gap to the play-offs by three points as they triumphed at Tranmere.

An early goal from Steve Brooker (17) set up the impressive victory, and after Mark McCammon (34) had grabbed a second, Rovers were in further trouble when Jason McAteer was dismissed.

The home side are now only two points ahead of the top four and their day grew worse when Craig Woodman scored from the spot in injury time.

In League One's other game, Bradford beat Port Vale courtesy of Mark Bower (44).

Photo: Action Images

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