Mansfield up to second despite draw with Doncaster

Promotion-chasing Mansfield had to be content with a point as visiting strugglers Doncaster hit back for a 1-1 draw.But Wrexham’s loss at Walsall meant the Stags still edged up into second place.Mansfield dominated the opening stages and were rewarded with the opener on 21 minutes. Stephen Quinn floated over a great cross from the left and Callum Johnson buried it with a powerful diving head

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Nigel Clough thrilled with 10 points from 12 despite Doncaster equaliser

Mansfield manager Nigel Clough was delighted with his side’s festive points haul despite being held 1-1 at home by Doncaster.Callum Johnson’s 21st-minute header was levelled by Joe Ironside’s fine 59th-minute equaliser but the Stags still moved up a place to second thanks to Wrexham dropping points.“It was a good point on the back of the three wins to get 10 points out of 1

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Danny Rohl praises Sheff Wed defending as Owls claim ‘a big three points’

Danny Rohl hailed his Sheffield Wednesday side’s defensive discipline as they held on for a vital 1-0 win over Preston.The Owls picked up their fourth victory in seven games thanks to Marvin Johnson’s first-half strike but were forced to hang on for their win after George Byers was sent off late on.Preston had nine shots, but only two on target, as they desperately searched for an equa

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Alan Sheehan hails Swansea’s fighting spirit after late draw at Coventry

Swansea interim head coach Alan Sheehan was proud of his side after Liam Cullen’s last-gasp free-kick earned a 2-2 draw at Coventry.Liam Walsh had put Swansea ahead in the seventh minute before they were pegged back by Haji Wright.Ellis Simms then fired the Sky Blues in front before Cullen’s superb free-kick in the third minute of added time.The point came after the Swans had been hamm

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David Artell lauds Grimsby performance in comfortable victory at Salford

Grimsby head coach David Artell described his side’s 3-0 win at Salford as a “professional performance”.Harry Clifton put the Mariners in front after 39 minutes before Toby Mullarkey and Danny Rose sealed the points with second-half strikes.It was Grimsby’s first away win since April.Artell said: “We controlled it from start to finish, scored three really good goals,

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Pete Wild bemoans refereeing as Barrow held by Accrington

Barrow boss Pete Wild was unhappy with the officials after seeing his team held to a 1-1 draw by Accrington.Stanley’s Joe Pritchard cancelled out Ben Whitfield’s opener to earn a battling draw but Wild was convinced his team was denied a late penalty for a challenge on Emile Acquah.“Acquah was brought down in the box for a clear penalty,” said Wild. “It is not subject

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Enzo Maresca praises Leicester ‘desire’ after win at Cardiff

Leicester manager Enzo Maresca says his Sky Bet Championship leaders have surprised him after passing the 60-point mark before the turn of the year with victory at Cardiff.The Foxes strolled to a 2-0 win in the Welsh capital with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Justin James producing brilliant efforts.Leicester now have 62 points from 25 games – eight clear of second-placed Ipswich – and are

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Michael Beale frustrated by lack of end product as Sunderland draw at Rotherham

Sunderland head coach Michael Beale is calling for his players to show more of a cutting edge after his side drew 1-1 at Championship strugglers Rotherham.Jack Clarke’s deflected effort earned a point for the visitors and cancelled out Sam Clucas’ thunderbolt volley.The result against the division’s bottom side saw Sunderland slip out of the play-off places.Beale said: “We

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Wayne Rooney says clean sheet was ‘big priority’ for Birmingham in stalemate

Wayne Rooney was pleased to see Birmingham keep a clean sheet after his side drew 0-0 with Bristol City at St Andrew’s.Rooney, who has had only two wins from his first 14 games as Blues boss, unashamedly admitted that after shipping nine goals in the previous three matches, he wanted to end that defensive rot.“I am really pleased with the clean sheet, from the last three games and the

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Dave Challinor admits Bradford draw ‘not the worst’ result in testing conditions

Stockport boss Dave Challinor admitted his league leaders deserved no more than a point in their goalless draw at Bradford.It was a competitive contest on a difficult Valley Parade pitch that had only passed referee Lewis Smith’s inspection 90 minutes before kick-off following the recent wet weather.Challinor said: “You always want to win a game but I can’t stand here and say we

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