By Longsider
March 23 2004

The postponment of the match against Milton Keynes resulted in the Clarets dropping even closer to the relegation places. We are now on level points with Derby but stay just outside the relegation zone on goal difference. The biggest shock of the weekend came at Deepdale where Walsall beat Preston North End. The Saddlers completed their 2nd win in 3 games with goals from Matt Fryatt and Mark Wright with a Graham Alexander penatly not enough for North End.

As mentioned above we are out of the relegation area on goal difference even though Derby recorded another victory over their local rivals Nottingham Forest. They raced into a 3 goal lead in the first half hour before former Claret Gareth Taylor gave Forest a lifeline shortly before half time. Taylor hit the bar but Gareth Williams was the first to react and bring the score back to 3-2. Marcus Tudgay sealed the victory for the Rams late on in the game.

Gillingham got two quick goals against Rotherham in the opening 15 minutes at the Priestfield. The win means the Gills are now 3 points above the Clarets and still have a game in hand.

Some of the better results saw Crewe lose at home to Cardiff thanks to an own goal by the keeper whilst Watford had a defensive nightmare at Ipswich in the lunch time kick-off. Dean Bowditch become the youngest player ever to score a hat trick for Ipswich and the final score of 4-1 will have the Hornest very worried indeed.

Norwich were beaten at Palace, whilst wins for Wigan, Sheffield United and Sunderland have kept the pressure on the top 2.

The big South London derby was dmatic to say the least with Millwall beating their deadly rivals West Ham 4-1 despite missing two penalties. The game was marred by trouble off the pitch with hordes of West Ham fans attempting to break the police cordon and get to the Millwall fans.

There are some important fixtures during the week that involve sides near the bottom. Crewe take on local rivals Stoke at Gresty Road, Derby travel to Sheffield United and Gillingham travel to the Stadium of Light. There's no doubt that all 3 struggling sides are expected to lose these games but if any do pick up points then it will ease their respective relegation worries.