By Matt Lond & J Bateman
January 18 2003

A round up of all the Nationwide League Division One reports from this weekend.

Brighton  1-1  Portsmouth  Zamora 54    Todorov 64

Bottom team Brighton was at home to top placed Portsmouth in today's lunchtime kick off, as both teams got a draw to help their differing causes as Brighton try to get out of the bottom three and Portsmouth at the top of the division. Brighton played well as they created a number of chances with Bobby Zamora in the thick of the action, in which he ended up giving the hosts the lead in the second half. Portsmouth also threatened, with Nigel Quashie hitting the woodwork twice for Pompey, but they was to level the proceedings later on in the match as Todorov finished from a corner after Ayegbini forced Ben Roberts into a fingertip save. Portsmouth are now five points clear at the top thanks to Leicester's defeat later on in the day and are also eight points clear of Sheffield United in the automatic promotion places. Brighton stay rooted to bottom place in Division One, some five points behind the first clear team from relegation

Att: 6,848

C Palace  1-1 Burnley  Popovic Pen 62   Taylor 44

Both teams continued their unbeaten runs after this draw at Selhurst Park. Both Burnley and Palace looked threatening on the attack and it took until the 44th minute in which Gareth Taylor had earned the Clarets the lead, having headed home Robbie Blake's left wing cross. Palace were determined to get back and they created chances, and finally scored, although from the penalty spot from Tony Popovic after Adebola was fouled by keeper Marlon Beresford. Both teams then had the chances to win the game but the defences held strong. This result ensures that both teams stay in mid-table, with Palace closer to the play-off places in 9th and Burnley in 16th.

Att: 16,344

Gillingham  3-2 Leicester  Shaw 32, Elliott Og 45, Sidibe 86   Sinclair 50, Wright 61

Leicester's hopes of catching Portsmouth up after they drew at Brighton earlier in the day, were in tatters as they blew away a two goal comeback to lose at the Prestifield Stadium in an entertaining game. Gillingham found themselves two goals up at half time through Paul Shaw and a Matt Elliot OG. The Foxes then came back to level with goals from Frank Sinclair and a first senior goal for Tommy Wright, who replaced an injured Brian Deane. This comeback was to be in vain though as the Gills scored a late winner with a few minutes to go from Mamady Sidibe, who scored his second goal of the game to win the game and condemn Leicester to their third away defeat. They still lie in second place, five points behind leaders Portsmouth and only three points ahead of in-form Sheffield United, who have a game in hand still. The Gills are in mid-table, but are only a few wins away from the play-offs

Att: 8,609

Grimsby  0-2 Millwall      Claridge 43, pen 84

A brace from veteran Steve Claridge was enough to give Millwall the three points at Blundell Park in a dour game in windy conditions. Millwall were the better team and deserved the win, and maybe could have had more as they outbattled a disappointing Grimsby side who did create some chances but did not threaten Tony Warner in the Lions goal. Claridge's goals came from a rebound from a save from a Dennis Wise shot and also a penalty in the second half after John McDermott fouled Steven Reid. Millwall are still on course for a play-off spot, just being four points from sixth place while Grimsby continue to be engaged in yet another Relegation spot, although they aren't in the bottom three, and have a game in hand which is played next week

Att: 4,993

Ipswich  3-0  Preston  Marcus Bent 30 Darren Bent 74,86

This game ran true to recent form as the home side went eight games unbeaten with a good win at home to Preston, who in return have now lost five in a row. Marcus Bent gave Ipswich the lead on the half-hour mark as he headed home Magilton's free kick. The second half belonged to super-sub Darren Bent, who scored a brace as he wrapped up the win to send the Tractor Boys further up the table. Preston were unlucky at times though, even if they was missing up to ten first teamers with injury and suspension and they never stopped trying as they enjoyed good spells and had chances to score. Preston stay in the lower reaches of the division, but on current form they will be looking behind their shoulders at the teams below them, who are picking up points whilst they aren't. Ipswich's recent surge up the table means they will be challenging for a play-off spot sooner rather than later.

Att: 24,666

Nott Forest  1-1  Coventry   Williams 33    Sara 87

In a battle of the teams in the top seven at the City ground, the spoils was shared as Coventry came from behind to earn a point. Forest looked to be heading for a first win in five games as Gareth Williams first goal in 96 appearences for the club gave them a lead going into the final few minutes until on-loan Argentine striker Juan Sara fired to get the Sky Blues a point which extended their unbeaten run to ten games. Both teams had the chances to score but keepers Darren Ward and Morten Hyldgaard stood firm in goal. Coventry ended the game with ten men as defender Gary Caldwell was sent off in the last minute for a second bookable offence. Both teams are still in the play-off positions and will be looking to be there at the end of the season.

Att: 24,487

Reading     0-0     Walsall

In a scrappy affair, both teams came away with a point, in which was probably the right result for this game despite Reading dominating for long periods of the game at the Madjeski Stadium. Reading were trying to get revenge because Walsall knocked them out of the FA Cup on Tuesday night but they could not find a way through although Nicky Forster was unlucky not to have scored as he hit the bar with a drive that gave Jimmy Walker no chance in the Walsall goal in the first half. After this game Reading are just outside the play-offs, but a win today would have seen them go into fourth place and Walsall are at the other end of the table, a few places away from the relegation spots but are safe for the moment.

Att: 11,786

Rotherham  3-2  Bradford  McIntosh 21 Garner 50 Byfield (pen) 60    Jorgensen 2 Gray (pen) 62

In a tussle of the Yorkshire teams at Millmoor, Rotherham finally won at home as they beat Bradford City to end a run of four home defeats in a row. The Bantams had taken a early lead with a goal from Claus Jorgensen but the millers bounced back with three goals from Martin McIntosh, Darren Garner and a Darren Byfield penalty which had them 3-1 up with half an hour to go. Most of this half hour was spent just the one goal ahead as Andy Gray tucked away a penalty in the 62nd minute as Ward was brought down by McIntosh, but The Millers held on to record the win and maintain their outisde chances of making play-offs. Bradford are just two places above the relegation places with a vital game next weekend away at Grimsby Town, the team one place below them.

Att: 6,939

Stoke  1-3  Derby  Greenachre 63    Christie 50 Zavagno 74 Morris 89

Derby County earned a welcome win with a good win at struggling Stoke by beating them three goals to one at The Britannia Staidum. Derby's first goal was scored by Malcolm Christie, who could be playing his last games for The Rams as he is a loan target for Middlesborough, this goal was a thumping volley from a Kinkaldze corner. Stoke soon levelled as Chris Greenacre slotted home from a Gunnarsson cross. Derby went on to win the game thanks to goals from Zavargo and Lee Morris, who was rewarded for his hard work during the game. Derby still have an outside chance of making the play-offs after this win, and are only two wins away from being in the positions now, whilst Stoke remain in a battle for Division one status, being just the one point behind Grimsby, but they have played the one game more then them.

Att: 17,308

Wolves  1-1 Wimbledon  Miller 43    Francis 46

Both teams got a point from a disappointing game at Molineux in which the teams were evenly matched. In the first half, Wolves looked the better team and were rewarded for that as Kenny Miller put the hosts ahead with his seventh goal of the season just a few minutes before the break. This was the score at the break. It did not take Wimbledon very long at all to level the score after Mikele Leigertwood crossed for Damien Francis to hammer the ball home just 41 seconds into the second half. After the equaliser, neither team did enough to try and win the game and in the end they had to settle for a point, which keeps both teams well int he hunt for a top six finish at the end of the season.

Att: 23,716

Full Match Previews can be found at --

Burnley The Longsider

Grimsby The Mariner

Ipswich Singing The Blues

Sheff Utd bladesfc.co.uk

Walsall The Saddlers FC

Wolves wolvesfc.co.uk