Latest ChampionShip News

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KEANE REACTS TO YORKE CRITICISM

Ipswich manager Roy Keane has slammed Dwight Yorke for criticising him in his autobiography and declared: "I have no respect for him."

Keane signed his former Manchester United team-mate when he was in charge at Sunderland.

Yorke has hit out at Keane's style of management while he was manager of the Black Cats in his autobiography.

Keane told the East Anglian Daily Times: "I don't agree with his criticism of my style of management.

"I take on board those comments from people I respect, but I don't have any respect for him."

He added: "He was quick to sign a new deal at Sunderland. He should put that in his book!"





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TOWN BACK UNDER-FIRE KEANE

Under-fire Ipswich boss Roy Keane has been given the vote of confidence despite the club's poor start.

Town are yet to win a game this term, leaving them rock bottom of the Championship table with just five points in 10 games.

Despite their dismal start, though, the board have backed Keane to turn things around.

The former Sunderland boss has been given the vote of confidence by chief executive Simon Clegg.

Asked his view on the situation, a relieved Keane joked: "I'll probably be sacked next week."

He added: "Simon and the owner appreciate the position we're in, but it doesn't mean to say they are happy.

"He (Simon) is well aware of how disappointed we are with the start. We've just got to get on with it."

Town were pegged back to a draw against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in midweek despite coming from behind to take a commanding 3-1 lead.

Despite admitting his frustration, Keane said: "There were obviously good signs that night.

"I thought we should have won the game but again one or two individual mistakes cost us.

"I was pleased with the players, the spirit was good, we played with good tempo, good intensity.

"But the last couple of away games we've scored six goals but only managed a point each game. It's frustrating."





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ROBERTSON JAILED AFTER FATAL CRASH

Sheffield United striker Jordan Robertson has been jailed for 32 months after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

The 21-year-old, who was also banned from driving for five years, hit a Ford Galaxy driven by Omar Mohamed on the southbound carriageway of the M1 near Lutterworth in Leicestershire at about 2.50pm on Christmas Day.

After the crash Mr Mohamed, 38, from Leicester, was airlifted to Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry, but died at 4.15pm on Boxing Day with his wife at his side. Nobody else was injured in the crash.

Robertson was on loan at Southampton when the crash happened.

He later told police he had been trying to change songs on his iPod in the black Mercedes CLC 180 sport car when he ploughed into the father-of-five.

A Sheffield United spokesman said on Friday: "The club's thoughts are still primarily with the family of the victim at the moment but at the moment it is too early to say anything else."




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KEEGAN AWARDED £2MILLION IN DAMAGES

Kevin Keegan felt vindicated after a tribunal awarded him £2million in damages from Newcastle for his constructive dismissal from the club last year.

Keegan walked out of a £3million-a-year contract in September 2008 following a row with the club over the loan signing of Ignacio Gonzalez against his wishes, sparking a stand-off which has taken more than a year to resolve.

The award fell way short of the £25million the 58-year-old had claimed in total as yet another unsavoury episode in the Magpies' chaotic recent history drew to a close.

There is little doubt the saga has been an obstacle to owner Mike Ashley's efforts to sell the club - sources on Tyneside insist administration was a possibility had the damages figure been significantly higher - and it remains to be seen whether or not the decision prompts prospective buyers to step up their interest.

Newcastle were making no comment on the matter after learning the outcome, and while it is understood there was disappointment that the independent arbitration panel, convened under Premier League rules almost three weeks ago, ruled against them, there was relief too at the financial implications of their decision.

For Keegan, who claimed £8.6million in lost wages and benefits for the remaining part of his contract, which was due to run until June 2011, and £16.5million in "stigma damages" for the effect on his future earning potential, there was vindication.

In a lengthy statement, he said: "I took the decision to resign in September 2008 only after very careful and anxious consideration.

"The decision to resign was one of the most difficult decisions that I have ever had to take in my life.

"I believe that anybody who knows me and my attachment to Newcastle United and the north-east in general will understand how difficult this must have been.

"I very much hope that the decision of the tribunal now confirms why I felt that I had no option but to resign from the position as manager of the club that I love.

"The tribunal has found the conduct of the club in forcing a player on me against my wishes represented a fundamental breach of my contract of employment.

"I do not believe that there is any manager in football who could have remained at the club in the light of their conduct."

Keegan departed amid a furious row over the loan signing of Uruguayan midfielder Gonzalez against his wishes on the final day of the 2008 summer transfer window.

Having reluctantly sanctioned James Milner's move to Aston Villa, he was frustrated at the way in which the club's own recruitment drive was being conducted, and when Gonzalez, who played only 38 minutes of football for the club, was foisted upon him, he decided enough was enough.

Newcastle insisted at the hearing that the manager was fully aware that executive director (football) Dennis Wise and his team would handle transfers, although the panel rejected their arguments.

Keegan said: "I resigned because I was being asked to sanction the signing of a player in order to 'do a favour' for two South American agents.

"No-one at the club had seen this player play and I was asked to sign him on the basis of some clips on YouTube.

"This is something that I was not prepared to be associated with in any way.

"The club knew that I objected strongly to this transfer and were aware that by continuing with it, I was likely to feel that I had no option but to resign.

"Notwithstanding this, they nevertheless went on to sign the player at very substantial cost to the club."

Keegan's exit provoked an angry response from the club's fans, who swiftly demanded that Ashley's 'Cockney mafia' went instead, although the sportswear magnate remains at the helm despite having twice put the business up for sale.

There has been some disquiet on Tyneside too since details of Keegan's financial demands emerged with the club already in severe financial difficulties in the wake of relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

The panel's 23-page report did not make for edifying reading as it outlined the whole sorry affair, revealing that earlier public statements from the regime at St James' Park that Keegan would indeed have the final say were dismissed by witnesses at the hearing as "an exercise in public relations".

The panel, which comprised Philip Havers QC, Lord Pannick QC and Kenneth Merrett, said: "We declare that Kevin Keegan was constructively dismissed by Newcastle United Football Club Ltd, for which Newcastle United Football Club Ltd must pay to Kevin Keegan damages in the sum of £2million plus interest to be assessed if not agreed."

The matter of costs is yet to be decided with both parties having been invited to make written submissions.




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SOUSA PLEASED TO BEAT OLD CLUB

Paulo Sousa enjoyed his reunion with Queens Park Rangers as Swansea secured a 2-0 victory in an eventful game on Saturday.

The Swans took full advantage as Rangers were reduced to nine men, with Mark Gower breaking the deadlock in the 74th minute and substitute Lee Trundle sealing the points five minutes from time.

Martin Rowlands had received his marching orders eight minutes after half-time and Ben Watson followed him late on to leave the visitors up against it.

For Sousa the victory was particularly sweet after he was sacked by the London club in April.

"It was good to get a win against my old club but it was even better to meet up with my old players," he said.

"It is important to beat those teams who are going for promotion as it shows you can win against quality.

"Today's victory was important with the international break coming up but for 30 minutes it was difficult against them.

"We took full advantage of being against nine players but we are an honest team and never went out looking for yellow cards."

Play was evenly matched for an hour, with both sides passing the ball about quickly and to good effect, but the final pass was often poor and few goal chances opened up.

Swansea welcomed back Darren Pratley and Leon Britton to their midfield after spells out injured and it certainly had the desired effect as the home side began to look more like their old selves passing the ball around at pace.

The game changed in the 53rd minute when Rangers skipper Rowlands received a second yellow card after being booked in the first half.

Trundle was sent on after an hour in an attempt to open up the 10 men but worse was to follow for Rangers when Watson was booked twice in five minutes to leave the visitors playing the final 13 minutes with only nine men.

Nathan Dyer, who was prominent down the Swansea right all afternoon, sped down the flank in the 85th minute and crossed low to Trundle, who side-footed home from close range.

Dyer was given plenty of opportunities to show his speed down the wing and, with the defence in fine form, they fully deserved the victory.

Rangers manager Jim Magilton rued his side's failure to take their chances.

"We started really well but should have scored in the first half," he said.

"Swansea came out much better after the interval but their keeper still had to make a couple of great saves to stop us from taking the lead.

"It was two influential players who were dismissed and today we carried one or two others but we still tried to play positive football despite the setbacks.

"I felt comfortable for the opening half hour but that lack of a cutting edge has cost us."


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FRUSTRATION FOR KEANE

Roy Keane took his frustrations out in the post-match press conference after watching his side slump to another defeat on Saturday at Barnsley.

Jon Macken's 96th minute strike gave the Tykes a 2-1 win to heap further pressure on the Tractor Boys boss as they remain without a win this season.

Keane spoke only briefly to reporters and became angry when questions focused on the last-minute winner and not a penalty decision given against his side. Iain Hume had missed the second-half spot-kick.

"You've watch the game and nobody's asked me about the bloody penalty," Keane said as he got up to leave. "That about sums you up."

The Irishman then challenged reporters on his way out of the room.

"Was it a penalty? Does anyone in this room think it was a penalty?"

Keane began the press conference in more conciliatory fashion, and insisted there were positives to be taken from the game despite the result, which extends the worst start to a season in club history.

"It's another disappointing result but we deserved more than we got," he said.

"It wasn't a pretty game but we had just about the better of the chances barring the penalty. To concede in injury-time again after five and a bit minutes is hard to take.

"But we knew coming here today would be difficult with the conditions and Barnsley being on a good run of results."

The Tykes led after only eight minutes through Hume's strike and might have added more before Liam Rosenior pounced on a goalkeeping error to head in an equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

"We had a poor start with the goal but we responded well and had some good opportunities," Keane said.

"That's the way it's going for us at the moment. Instead of winning the game in the last couple of minutes you go from the disappointment of that to having a double-whammy by actually conceding."

While the pressure mounts on Keane, the victory continues Mark Robins decent start as Barnsley boss.

"It's back-to-back wins for the first time since I think Boxing Day last year so from that point of view its excellent," Robins said.

"It's a decent return, we've had a decent start. We've been in three weeks now and we're seeing things starting to move. The supporters are behind us, that's really important, and the players are behind us.

"They're putting in the performances now. Sometimes you have to grind it out but if you can do that around teams around you that's an indicator or how you'll perform at the end of the season."

Although they needed Macken to win it with virtually the last kick of the game, Robins believes his side deserved the win.

He said: "I think so, having missed a penalty, hit a crossbar, missed a free shot when it goes in if Ryan Shotton makes good contact.

"They've had one or two chances too where the goalkeeper has made a good save, but the weather didn't help the game.

"It's a great time to a score a goal, there's no chance of a reply," he added.

"The conditions were shocking, atrocious, and they didn't make for a good game of football and I don't think we got one."



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STURROCK'S ON THE UP

Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock celebrated a second win in a week as the Pilgrims recorded their first home Coca-Cola Championship victory of the season.

Sturrock said after the 2-1 defeat of Scunthorpe: "The thing about football is that winning becomes as much of a habit as losing."

The two wins in a week will have eased the pressure on Argyle's under-fire boss as he side ended a seven-match losing streak and edged up to third from bottom.

Rory Fallon, who scored the winner in the 2-1 victory at fellow strugglers Peterborough, headed Argyle's 57th-minute opener from a Gary Sawyer cross from the left to the far post.

It was a carbon copy of the same move which forced Iron goalkeeper Josh Lillis to flap Fallon's looping 44th-minute header onto the bar and away to safety.

Sturrock said: "Rory scored an identical goal to the one he got at Peterborough again today.

"He is a threat in the air when he is playing like that and he is also good in defence with his aerial ability."

Goalkeeper Romain Larrieu - who made a handful of first half stops to deny Iron dangermen Gary Hooper and Paul Hayes - conceded a 75th-minute penalty when he felled Martyn Woolford as the winger latched on to a return pass from fellow substitute Garry Thompson.

Fit-again recalled striker Hooper sent Larrieu the wrong way from the spot but Argyle only took a minute to regain the lead.

With central defender Rob Jones getting attention to a hamstring injury, Argyle broke through the middle.

Fallon headed the ball to skipper Carl Fletcher and his incisive through-ball sent substitute Alan Judge in on goal.

Judge was tumbled by keeper Lillis and got up to power home the penalty winner.

Sturrock said: "I think the win in the week has buoyed the boys. Before if they had got pegged back they would have let it affect them.

"Today they have gone straight up the other end and got a goal back, which turned out to be the winner."

Disappointed Iron boss Nigel Adkins said: "We came here with a game plan to play narrow, through the middle and get the Hayes-Hooper combination going against their young centre-backs and it's worked well.

"The first half I was pleased with but we had good opportunities and have not taken them.

"We have come away from home and we are looking nice and solid and could have scored three or four goals in the first half.

"We had talked about the threat of Fallon, just an easy ball into the box and if you don't stop the cross or don't compete you give him an opportunity.

"We targeted this game as one where we could take all three points because Plymouth are struggling and we have come away with nothing."



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CONSISTENCY KEY FOR JONES

Dave Jones is hoping his Cardiff side have discovered the consistency they crave after recording their second win in five days with victory over Watford.

Jones' men made a flying start to the Coca-Cola Championship this season but four defeats in five league outings left them seemingly in freefall.

However, they appear to have rediscovered their free-scoring best after following Tuesday's 6-1 drubbing of Derby with a 4-0 demolition of the Hornets.

Jones is optimistic his side can maintain that form after the international break, which should help Ross McCormack - who made his return - and Kevin McNaughton to find their full fitness and form.

"The last couple of weeks we have been talking about consistency," Jones admitted. "We are still a bit hit and miss sometimes with certain things that we do.

"When you're on a run you have got to try and hit the consistent run and try and keep it going. It was important today to come away with something."

He continued: "It was a good team performance carrying on from Tuesday night.

"If you go into the international break having won two on the trot then you can't wait for the next game."

Peter Whittingham gave the visitors the lead from the penalty after Craig Cathcart had pulled back Jay Bothroyd in the area.

Watford were similarly generous for Cardiff's second goal, with goalkeeper Scott Loach horribly misjudging Adam Matthews' 45-yard free-kick.

Cardiff's dominance of the game was confirmed with two goals in three minutes midway through the second-half.

First Whittingham grabbed his second of the afternoon, heading home Gavin Rae's cross, and then Bothroyd got on to the scoresheet with a fierce shot into the top left corner.

Jones was delighted with Matthews' first senior goal but conceded the 17-year-old had been rather lucky.

"It's a fluke of a goal and well deserved for the kid but there was a strong wind," he said. "I'm pleased for the kid."

If Cardiff's form is on the up, Watford's is on the slide after Coventry ended their seven-game unbeaten run in the league on Tuesday.

The defeat means Watford have now conceded seven goals in their last two games, both at Vicarage Road, and boss Malky Mackay lamented the goals his side gifted to the opposition.

"To give the two cheap goals away in the first half, like we did, means you have a mountain to climb," said Mackay after admitting Matthews' strike was 'bizarre'.

But he was keen to support his players.

"I have been in the division long enough to realise that you are going to have tough times and times when you have to stick together," he said.

"It is in times of adversity that you make sure you have a good group. We are not in times of adversity but when you come off a defeat like that you make sure you stick together."



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CLOUGH GETS WHAT HE WANTS

Nigel Clough demanded desire and aggression from Derby after their 6-1 drubbing at Cardiff in midweek and he got both in abundance as the Rams outfought Sheffield Wednesday to earn a confidence-boosting win at Pride Park.

Derby's first goal arrived on 17 minutes when Lee Croft drove in off the bar from seven yards after Paul Dickov had cleverly turned a defender to help on Jake Livermore's cross.

Dickov - in his first start since arriving on-loan from Leicester - almost made it two for the Rams when he shaved a post with a crisp 10-yard drive just before the break.

Owls should have levelled on 55 minutes when a horrible blunder by Dean Moxey allowed James O'Connor to feed Leon Clarke, who with only the keeper to beat, blasted over from eight yards.

Wednesday went close again when a long clearance from Lee Grant was headed onto his own bar by Derby defender Shaun Barker.

Derby went two up on 65 minutes when Croft found Jay McEveley, who let the ball run before drooling a shot beneath the goalkeeper from 14 yards.

And the Rams wrapped up the points with a third goal in time added on when Lewis Buxton upended Rob Hulse inside the box, with the Derby striker dusting himself down before guiding home the penalty low to the keeper's right.

Afterwards Derby coach Gary Crosby said the Rams had been desperate to make amends for their heavy defeat at Cardiff.

He said: "We wanted a good response, and we got one. We have an honest bunch of players.

"It takes a hell of a lot of courage to go out in front of 30,000 people and keep on running and trying, and that's what our players did."

Crosby was delighted with Dickov's performance, adding: "We are absolutely delighted for Paul.

"He's built a good career on hard work and dedication, and that's what he was all about today."

Derby's next game is at east Midlands rivals Leicester in two weeks' time.

Crosby added: "It helps that we are going into a two-week break on a high. It's come at the right time because it gives us a chance to get a few of the injured players fit."

Wednesday manager Brian Laws was livid after his side had failed to perform. He revealed he had warned his players to brace themselves for a Derby backlash after their humiliation at Cardiff midweek.

Law said: "I was concerned because it is a fact that most teams who have had a thrashing generally respond in the right manner but I'm more concerned about how we responded to that threat because I felt we were second best all over the park.

"You can't perform like that and give a team a lift when they are rock bottom, but I felt any nerves were in our team, and not Derby.

"I don't mind losing games if the opposition carve out a wonderful goal, but we gave them their goals on a plate.

"We didn't create anything and we didn't pass the ball. It was our worst performance for quite a long time and there is no defence for a performance like that.

"It was a shoddy performance, it was unacceptable - and I'm not having it. There were no plus points out there for us today.

"We've got a two-week break now because of internationals, and that means the players have got a very angry manager for two weeks."




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HOLLOWAY FUMES AFTER HEAVY DEFEAT

Alan Lee ended Crystal Palace's 20-game wait for a first half goal as Neil Warnock's side claimed a third win in four games.

But Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was incensed by two key decisions in the game and launched an impassioned plea for the introduction of video replays after his team's 4-1 Championship defeat.

Palace last netted before the break in March, but they had to wait just two minutes before Lee ended that unwanted run.

The chance was gifted to Lee, who headed home after visiting defender Rob Edwards slipped at a crucial time.

And Blackpool's defence was at fault when Neil Danns headed Palace's second in the 31st minute.

But Holloway was furious his side were denied a route back into the game before the break when Alex Baptiste's effort was ruled out.

And he was equally angry at the decision to allow Palace's 65th-minute third - scored after Baptiste had headed Blackpool back into it in the 52nd minute - and claimed scorer Darren Ambrose was offside.

Holloway said: "Maybe it's a little bit of karma for Neil after what happened to his side at Bristol City when they scored and it wasn't allowed.

"But that's a two-goal turnaround and the linesman might as well have banged them both in.

"You've got Mr Sepp Blatter sitting in his nice office dreaming of wonderful things for football, but why doesn't he come down here and see what mine and Neil Warnock's job is like when it is affected by human error?

"Why haven't they got cameras? The officials can speak to each other easily enough now. Why aren't we using laptops that are linked up and can give a decision in five seconds? A chimpanzee could do it - with not much training.

"Ask every manager if they want this. It will work and it won't slow down the game.

"Why is football so far behind other sports yet everything in football costs more?

"We might as well go back to being cavemen, grab our girl by the hair, drag her into the cave whether she wants to come in or not because we may as well live in that age. We've come forward haven't we?

"And can anyone explain to me why we shouldn't do it?"

Holloway's anger could not disguise the fact that Palace's more ruthless finishing deservedly earned them the points.

Lee and Danns' early headers while Ambrose finished well from Johannes Ertl's through ball before substitute Alassane N'Diaye wrapped things up in the 88th minute.

Palace manager Warnock said: "I was just pleased to see a goal go in in the first half because it's got that off our back.

"We just needed to be patient and we knew the chances would come our way."

And Warnock admitted he was relieved to be entering the international break.

"We're just delighted to get the points and have the two-week break because hopefully that will give us the chance to get three or four players fit," he said.

"Jose Fonte went down with a bug today and didn't pull out until 12 o'clock. We didn't even have seven subs this morning.

And he added: "I'm not just pleased for myself, I'm pleased for the chairman as well. We are fighting like hell to keep our heads above water and it's difficult at the minute."





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BLACKWELL: WE COULD DO BETTER

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell delivered a "could do better" verdict after a South Yorkshire derby clash with Championship rivals Doncaster ended 1-1.

Richard Cresswell, on loan from Stoke, denied Doncaster another memorable afternoon at Bramall Lane when heading a brave 65th-minute equaliser.

James Hayter had fired Rovers ahead just before half-time when racing on to Dean Shiels' precision pass to slide the ball under Blades goalkeeper Mark Bunn.

Doncaster celebrated their first ever league win at Bramall Lane in January, but had to settle for an eighth draw from their opening 11 league matches ahead of next week's international break.

Blackwell insisted his side dominated the match, but conceded they were struggling to find their better form due to the number of loan signings he has been forced to make.

Cresswell, Glen Little and Jordan Stewart all made their full home league debuts.

Blackwell said: "Overall I can't complain. We've done most of the things we asked.

"The debutants all did well. I think we've signed 12 or 13 players now and at times we do look a bit disjointed, but we dominated and they didn't pose us many problems."

He added: "The lads are showing character in abundance, but the team's being rebuilt again. This is the third team I've built since being here and I've only been here 18 months.

"After Christmas we signed five or six loans and this year I've got 12 new players in and six are loans.

"The understanding of what I want isn't quite there, but we're still getting results.

"So I'm pleased with that. We're sitting sixth after 11 games so that school report is 'doing okay, but could do better'."

Blackwell confirmed Nick Montgomery and James Harper were nursing knee injuries and Jamie Ward had required surgery earlier in the week on a fractured wrist.

Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll, who agreed not to play Blades striker Billy Sharp despite there being no clause in the loan agreement, could be ready to draft in some new faces following the latest spate of injuries to hit his squad.

Skipper Brian Stock is out long-term with a knee injury, stand-in captain Adam Lockwood missed out and will be sidelined for up to three months after breaking a bone in his foot, James Coppinger is struggling with an ongoing calf strain and Mark Wilson limped out of the action with a similar problem.

O'Driscoll said: "Every manager in the Football League wants to add to his pool, but whether you can get the quality you want or afford what you want.

"We're a team with average gates of 8,000 so we're not going to spend millions of pounds on new players. I wish we could, but we can't.

"But it could be imperative now I've got one or two more injuries. The (international) break's come for us, so we'll get a clearer picture of where we are.

"Ideally we'd love to, but whether it's possible I'm not sure."

O'Driscoll had special praise for defender Byron Webster, who required a pain-killing injection to get through his full league debut after hyper-extending his elbow in the first half.

O'Driscoll added: "He didn't want to come off and that augurs well for his future.

"He did well. He's going to be one of those centre-halves who's not a header or a kicker, he's going to be a cultured defender. He's got vast potential."





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SOUTHGATE THRILLED WITH AWAY WIN

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate praised his players and staff for the calm way they had responded to pressure following the win at Reading.

A goal in each half from Sean St Ledger and Leroy Lita gave Boro a 2-0 victory and their first win in four matches.

"I am pleased for them at the end of what has been a difficult week. They responded with a calmness and unity," Southgate said.

"Some supporters have expressed their displeasure, which I have accepted. Our job is to manage the club through difficult times.

"It's easy to manage when things are going well but the margins between success and failure are so small.

"I selected Leroy Lita to play against his old club because you just knew what was going to happen.

"He missed pre-season so he is still coming back to sharpness but he was terrific."

Reading boss Brendan Rodgers was bemused at the difference between his side's form in the midweek win at Preston and Saturday's defeat.

"Everything that was good about us in midweek wasn't good today," he said.

"We showed quality to get into the areas we wanted to be in but a mixture of poor decision making and poor final ball let us down.

"We started on the back foot and we were lacklustre and it's difficult to put your finger on it. We need to show courage and bravery at home to make things happen and we didn't do that today."

Reading are still without a home win since January 27 and have scored just twice at home in the league this season, fewer than any other side in the Championship.

In the opening minute Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici just managed to beat Lita in a race to the ball, then the Boro striker saw an effort blocked by a defender and almost immediately sent in a header which was saved by the Royals goalkeeper.

Boro's opening goal came after 12 minutes when Adam Johnson's corner was headed in by St Ledger, although Lita later claimed he had got the final touch.

Reading's chances were few and far between with Jem Karacan's drive blocked by team-mate Darren O'Dea and Jimmy Kebe's cross headed wide by Brian Howard.

At half-time Rodgers brought on Noel Hunt for Kebe, but Boro were still on top and Lita still a threat.

And 10 minutes into the half Lita scored the goal he had been threatening all game.

He beat Karacan in the centre circle, span away from O'Dea and ran on unchallenged before shooting hard and low past Federici's despairing dive.





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[sky star 2]

DI MATTEO ADOPTS POSITIVE OUTLOOK

West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo was not unduly concerned after their drab stalemate at Preston extended his side's winless run in the Coca-Cola Championship to three matches.

Di Matteo - appointed as Baggies manager in the summer after Preston boss Alan Irvine allegedly turned down the post - had seen his side lose their previous two encounters in miserable fashion.

A 1-0 home defeat against Crystal Palace was followed by a 3-1 horror show at Barnsley in midweek but his men at least ended their losing streak and the 0-0 draw at Deepdale keeps them two points above Preston.

Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan denied Albion winger Graham Dorrans, the game's outstanding player, on three separate occasions and home defender Neill Collins also appeared to haul down Roman Bednar inside the penalty box in the second half.

However, Di Matteo was forced to concede his side have lost some of their sparkle after recording a thumping 5-0 win at Middlesbrough last month.

He said: "In the last three games we have picked up one point, which is not ideal.

"We had a bad week, which is a long time in football, but we are still okay.

"Maybe the good start we had at the beginning of the season gave the public a different level of expectation.

"But we know how hard it is to win games and you see that every week.

"We had a bad 45 minutes at Barnsley but we've played 11 games and there were a lot of minutes where we have played well."

In the 14th minute, Dorrans turned Preston defender Youl Mawene inside out before unleashing a fierce left-footed strike from 16 yards that Lonergan did superbly well to turn onto a post.

Bednar failed to hit the target from the rebound and Dorrans was left bitterly frustrated by Lonergan twice more in the closing stages.

In the 77th minute, more neat footwork from the Scot created the space to strike a fierce right-footed shot goalwards and Lonergan again reacted well to palm the ball to safety.

The home-grown stopper saved the best until last, reacting brilliantly to dive down low to his left to keep out Dorrans' powerful header in the fourth minute of added time.

Di Matteo added: "It seems that the opposition goalkeeper always plays well against us.

"But it's important that we create chances and Dorrans looked very sharp - he should have scored but he did well.

"We had the chances to win this game but Lady Luck wasn't on our side."

Preston boss Irvine again stated he was offered the chance to succeed Tony Mowbray at the Hawthorns before Di Matteo was appointed, despite claims to the contrary from the Baggies.

"I was offered the job - simple as that," he said.

"I am telling you I was offered the job and I didn't take it. I can only tell you what happened.

"They've got their own reasons for saying that."

On the game, Irvine added: "I don't think either team did enough to win or lose and it was a fair result.

"Lonergan wasn't called upon to make too many saves but the ones he did make were important."





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HUGHTON STUNNED BY SPOT-KICK DECISION

Chris Hughton could not believe his eyes after Championship leaders Newcastle were denied an "absolute certain" penalty in the 0-0 draw with Bristol City.

Referee Graham Salisbury waved away Marlon Harewood's appeals after the striker had been felled in the box by substitute Jamie McCombe's clumsy 74th-minute challenge, much to the astonishment of the home side and a crowd of 43,326.

Hughton said: "For me, it was an absolute certain penalty. There are some penalties where you are not sure whether the referee is going to give it or not.

"I could have almost looked away because my first impression was just waiting for the referee to point to the spot."

City boss Gary Johnson admitted his side had perhaps had a lucky escape.

He said: "I must admit, my heart was in my mouth at the time.

"The lads felt there was a bit of contact but from our point of view, maybe he was starting to go down early, we don't know.

"But he [Salisbury] was very brave with forty-odd thousand people screaming for a penalty, anyway."

It proved a hugely frustrating afternoon for the Magpies, who were desperate to bounce back from Wednesday night's 1-1 draw with QPR at St James' Park.

City keeper Dean Gerken produced fine saves with a single second-half minute to keep out Danny Guthrie's close-range volley and Kevin Nolan's header.

However, he needed the help of the woodwork on three occasions to preserve his clean sheet, Harewood hitting the post after seven minutes and Steven Taylor and Nolan both being denied by the crossbar in quick succession with 20 minutes remaining.

Hughton said: "It was very frustrating, but I couldn't fault the manner, in particular in the second half, of our approach to go and win the game against a good Bristol City side who came with a formation which certainly frustrated us.

"But we had opportunities and if we had taken one of those opportunities, I could have seen us going on and getting further goals."

Johnson was delighted with his players, and particularly Gerken, who only discovered he was playing five minutes before kick-off after Adriano Basso picked up a groin injury during the warm-up.

He said: "We made that decision at 2.55pm. I was going to give my super motivational speech and I need them all smiling when I give that and Basso, was grimacing a little bit and doing a stretch on his groin.

"I knew today we needed people to be 100 per cent mentally and physically, and he didn't look either at the time.

"We were able to bring Dean Gerken in and on the day, I would have thought he was a candidate for man of the match."




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NO CHANGE AT THE TOP

Coca-Cola Championship promotion rivals Preston and West Brom cancelled each other out in a 0-0 draw at Deepdale on Saturday.

The two sides are among the favourites to gain promotion to the Premier League, but there were few glimpses of genuine quality in a drab encounter.

Albion remain in second place as a result of the draw, three points behind leaders Newcastle, whose game against Bristol City ended goalless, while Preston slip to fifth.

Middlesbrough eased some of the pressure on manager Gareth Southgate with a 2-0 victory over Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

Sean St Ledger grabbed the opener for the Teessiders after 12 minutes and Leroy Lita added a brilliant second after the break as he raced down half the pitch before lashing it into the back of the net.

Martyn Waghorn's second-half strike earned Leicester a 1-1 draw against Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.

Sammy Clingan fired the hosts into a first-half lead with a sensational free-kick - his third goal in four Championship matches.

However, Waghorn equalised after 71 minutes with a shot on the run from the edge of the box.

Watford made a bright start at home to Cardiff, but it was to prove a false dawn as they lost 4-0.

Peter Whittingham's penalty put the Bluebirds ahead before Adam Matthews' free-kick from around 50 yards deceived Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach and drifted into the net.

The game was all but over in the 66th minute when Whittingham headed in a third and things went from bad to worse seconds later when Jay Bothroyd capped a stunning performance with a brilliant fourth.

At the other end of the table, Roy Keane's poor luck continues after Jonathan Macken's stoppage-time winner for Barnsley secured a 2-1 victory over Ipswich.

Iain Hume scored for the second consecutive game to give Barnsley the lead before Liam Rosenior's header brought Ipswich level.

The hosts were awarded a controversial penalty in the 74th minute but Hume smashed it against the crossbar.

However, Ipswich's luck was shortlived as Macken grabbed all three points with virtually the last kick of the game.

Fellow strugglers Peterborough slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest.

Aaron Mclean headed Peterborough in front five minutes into the second half but their lead lasted a matter of seconds before Radoslaw Majewski levelled with his third goal of the season and Paul Anderson fired Forest into the lead five minutes later.

Plymouth finally recorded their first win at Home Park with a 2-1 victory over Scunthorpe.

The Pilgrims had lost their previous four home games but went in front thanks to Rory Fallon's 57th-minute header.

Gary Hooper levelled from the spot after Romain Larrieu had brought down Martyn Woolford in the area but Plymouth immediately restored their advantage thanks to Alan Judge's penalty after he was fouled by Josh Lillis.

Crystal Palace cruised to a 4-1 victory in their game against Blackpool.

Alex Baptiste briefly headed his side back into the game seven minutes after the break following first-half goals from Alan Lee and Neil Danns, but Palace swiftly restored their two-goal advantage thanks to Darren Ambrose and Alassane N'Diaye added a fourth.

Lee Croft's 17th-minute strike sent Derby on their way to 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park.

James McEveley volley in a second and Rob Hulse sealed the result from the spot.

Elsewhere, Richard Cresswell equalised with a brave diving header on his first start for Sheffield United to secure a 1-1 draw against Doncaster.

James Hayter had earlier scored on the stroke of half-time to give Rovers a scarcely-deserved lead.

QPR shot themselves in the foot at the Liberty Stadium as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Swansea, ending the game with nine men.

Martin Rowlands was dismissed for a second yellow in the 53rd minute but it was not until 21 minutes later that Mark Gower fired Swansea in front.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors two minutes later when Ben Watson also saw red and Lee Trundle made sure of the points soon after.





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GERMAN LANDS IN ALDERSHOT

Aldershot have signed QPR forward Antonio German on a month-long loan.

The 17-year-old has penned a deal to link up with Gary Waddock's League Two side until November 7 and he will be allowed to play in the FA Cup.

German has made three substitute appearances for Rangers - most recently on the final day of last season - and will hope to be gain much-needed first-team experience at the Rec.

Waddock said: "He has first team experience and this is a great opportunity for him.

"We can help to further his development and he can help us out too."


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TROTTER CONCEDES RELEGATION FEAR

Ipswich midfielder Liam Trotter has admitted that Roy Keane's side are now in a fight for survival in the Championship.

Keane saw his side concede in stoppage-time for the second time in five days at Barnsley on Saturday as a 2-1 defeat at Oakwell left them without a win in their first 11 league games.

Trotter said: "We are in a relegation battle.

"We are bottom of the league, with just five points. There's no getting away from where we are, and you can't say that we are in a false position, because we've not won any games.

"You can't just have two months of bad luck.

"We have the quality to get out of it. I think we're a good team but we're not earning the points at the moment."



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VAUGHAN KNEE CONCERN FOR RAMS

Derby face an anxious wait to discover if James Vaughan can continue his loan spell at the club after the striker picked up a knee injury.

The 21-year-old is due to stay with the Rams until January but missed Saturday's home win over Sheffield Wednesday with a knee injury and has returned to Everton to have the problem assessed.

"He didn't start against Cardiff on Tuesday night because of a bit of swelling on his knee and it has not settled as quickly as we had hoped," said County coach Gary Crosby.

"James has gone back to Everton to see the consultant who has been looking after him and we are waiting for the results. We will just have to wait and see."

Vaughan, who has suffered with knee problems in the past, joins a long list of injured Derby players that includes Dean Leacock, Paul Connolly, Miles Addison, Jake Buxton, Paul Green, Stephen Pearson, Steve Davies, Kris Commons, Chris Porter, Giles Barnes, Mitch Hanson and Mark O'Brien.

Meanwhile, young left-back Mark Dudley has joined non-league neighbours Alfreton Town on a month's loan.



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TRUNDLE HOPES FOR SWANS STAY

On-loan Swansea striker Lee Trundle has revealed he wants to finish his career at the club after netting a weekend winner.

Trundle came off the bench to score his second goal of the season in the Swans' 2-1 win over QPR on Saturday to secure Paulo Souza's outfit their third win of the campaign.

The 32-year-old loanee spent four years at the Liberty Stadium before joining Bristol City in 2007, but the striker endured a forgettable spell at Ashton Gate under boss Gary Johnson and is now determined to earn a permanent move back to South Wales.

"Goals give you confidence and having not been involved too much at Bristol City it did hit my confidence," he admitted to the Swansea Evening Post.

"But it has given me a new lease of life being back at Swansea City - this is where I feel at home playing football.

"I've only started one game but I'm enjoying training, coming off the bench and more importantly playing in front of our fans.

"It was great to score in front of the fans - hopefully there will be more to come. This is the place where I want to be playing my football so I will try everything I can to make it more permanent.

"This is where I want to finish my playing days."

Trundle's weekend strike saw him become the first Swansea forward to find the net in the league this season, but the Liverpool-born marksman expects a huge battle to lead the line in Sousa's attack.

"As a striker, scoring is what you are judged on," said Trundle, who is battling with Stephen Dobbie, record signing Craig Beattie and Spaniard Gorka Pintado for the lone striker role.

"You are expected to score when you get a penalty like I did against Sheffield United, but to get one from open play is good for me.

"But there are four strikers here all challenging for one spot, and although it is good to get a goal, any one of the lads can step in and do the job.

"When I go to training every day I see a lot of quality finishers there. I've got to respect the manager's decision.

"It is not a case of me thinking I should be in the team because I've scored, I've no qualms about fighting for my place here."



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KEEGAN WANTS TO MANAGE AGAIN

Kevin Keegan is interested in a return to management - but believes Newcastle fans may have had enough of him.

The former Magpies boss was awarded £2million in damages last week from his former club after winning his claim for constructive dismissal.

Keegan admitted he was relieved that all the details over his exit from St James' Park last year were now out in the open.

The 58-year-old confessed that he wished the whole 15-month saga had never happened and he was still managing in the North East.

When asked if he wanted to return to management Keegan stated to the Daily Mirror: "Yeah, very much so.

"It would have been better if it never happened. I was still at Newcastle and we were still in the Premier League and I think we would have been.

"I don't think there are really any winners in it but we've got to move on now. It wasn't a great situation. The club have got to move on and I've got to move on.

"What I wanted was really my job. The thing I've lost is managing the club that I love so that's why I say there have been no winners.

"But life goes on, things happen, you meet people and sometimes it doesn't work in football. And this didn't work.

"I don't think it's on to return there now, I think the fans have had enough of that but you never know in football.

"I'd like to think there's still something left in me in football but we'll wait and see."



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