Evan Ferguson missed a penalty as the Republic of Ireland passed up the opportunity to hand interim head coach John O’Shea a notable scalp against Belgium.The Brighton striker, who reported for international duty without a goal in 20 games for his club, saw his first-half spot-kick saved by Nottingham Forest keeper Matz Sels to ensure the friendly contest at a blustery Aviva Stadium ended 0-

Stockport gave their automatic promotion hopes a major boost with an emphatic 5-0 win over close challengers MK Dons.Callum Camps, Paddy Madden, Tanto Olaofe, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Neill Byrne scored the goals for the Hatters to earn them just a second win in their last eight matches.Victory moves Dave Challinor’s team back up to second place – two points behind leaders Mansfield

Gillingham boss Stephen Clemence praised his side’s “fantastic” character as they twice came from behind to pick up a vital win against play-off rivals Morecambe at the Mazuma Stadium.The home side took the lead through goals from Jordan Slew and Charlie Brown either side of the break but levellers from Oli Hawkins and Timothee Dieng set up a thrilling finale which saw Connor Mah

Delighted Sutton boss Steve Morison hailed his battling side after a fine 3-1 win over Accrington lifted them off the bottom of the League Two table.Goals from Harry Smith, Omar Sowunmi and Nino Adom-Malaki did the damage as United claimed back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.Jake Bickerstaff bagged an 85th-minute consolation for Stanley but the hosts deserved their first home w

Lee Bell is confident Crewe can dig themselves out of a barren run after the Alex boss praised the character of players for shaking off an early blow to draw with AFC Wimbledon.John Kymani-Gordon’s close-range finish saw the Dons take a second-minute lead at Gresty Road, but Bell’s men hit back through a fine finish from Rio Adebisi and went the closest to winning an evenly-matched con

Stevenage boss Steve Evans admitted he “didn’t recognise” his misfiring team for an hour of their frustrating 2-2 draw with basement side Carlisle.Daniel Butterworth’s fine brace put strugglers Carlisle on course for what would have been their first home win for nearly three months and only a sixth victory of the season.But Alex McDonald’s 82nd-minute penalty –

Salford assistant manager Alex Bruce admitted his ears were left ringing by Karl Robinson during their 2-1 victory over Notts County.The Ammies manager was sitting in the stands with director of football Ryan Giggs and Bruce’s dad, Steve, as he served a one-match touchline suspension at Meadow Lane.“My ears are ringing, I have to say,” Bruce explained at full-time on how he commu

Derby boss Paul Warne was frustrated by his side’s narrow 1-0 League One defeat to Northampton on Saturday.The Rams saw their promotion charge hit a major stumbling block at Sixfields where Sam Hoskins scored the only goal of the game.Derby also had defender Sonny Bradley sent off for a straight red card in second-half stoppage-time.“It’s obviously frustrating and disappointing,&

Darren Moore was delighted to be able to celebrate a first win as Port Vale boss as Ryan Loft struck late on to secure a 1-0 victory at Burton.Moore, appointed as Vale manager on February 13, had failed to win any of his opening eight games in charge but Loft’s 83rd-minute effort earned a vital three points.“I am delighted,” Moore said, reflecting on a performance which pulled th

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson was pleased with his promotion-chasing side’s “professionalism and game management” in sweeping aside Grimsby with a 3-1 victory at Blundell Park.Andy Cannon led the way with a first-half double and Paul Mullin also scored, with Grimsby substitute Arthur Gnahoua netting a late consolation.Victory moved Wrexham three points behind table-topping Mansf