Tranmere Rovers put an end to Brighton’s three game winning streak, with a late deflected equaliser from Aaron Cresswell settling matters at Prenton Park. Brighton took the lead in the first half through Glenn Murray, but failed to convert a number of chances as their lead at the top was cut to just two points.
Peterborough moved into second position with a hard fought victory over fellow title contenders Carlisle United. Mackail-Smith scored his ninth goal of the season to condemn The Cumbrians to their first home defeat of the campaign.
In the eagerly anticipated South coast derby, Southampton put in a solid display to beat Bournemouth 2-0. In the first league match between the two sides for 50 years, the teams came into proceedings in contrasting league positions. Whilst newly promoted Bournemouth have taken League One by storm, pre-favourites Southampton have had a dismal start to their campaign. It took two emphatic Ricky Lambert penalties to seal the points, as Saints begin to make some progress under new manager Nigel Adkins.
Ten-man Bristol Rovers heaped more misery on Huddersfield, courtesy of a last gasp winner from Will Hoskins. Huddersfield have now lost three games in succession, unable to recapture the form that inspired them to a sixth place finish last season. Rovers on the other hand continue their recent good away form, as they moved to within one point of the play-offs.
Colchester remained the only unbeaten side in the division after a 1-1 draw with MK Dons, but will rue the missed chances that would have taken them up to second in the table. Magnus Okuonghae scored his second goal in three games to give the U’s the lead in the first half, but they were denied an impressive away victory as Angelo Balanta’s quality run and curled finish midway through the second half salvaged a draw for the MK Dons. Colchester have now drawn seven of their ten games so far and will need to start converting draws into defeats in order to start being considered as serious title contenders.
Elsewhere Exeter recovered from their midweek thrashing at the hands of Bournemouth, beating in-form Rochdale by a single goal. Jamie Cureton scored his second consecutive goal at St James Park, with a crafty header into the bottom right hand corner.
Brentford put their goal scoring woes behind them as they chalked up two goals in one game for the first time this season. A thumping six-yard strike from Gary Alexander gave the Bees the lead in the 13th minute, which was doubled 18 minutes later by Toumani Diagouraga. Charlton’s Scott Wagstaff scored with 16 minutes left to set up a nervy finish, but Brentford held on to record their second consecutive win, which lifted them off the foot of the table.
Walsall were unable to match Bradford’s result, continuing their poor run, as Yeovil recorded their first away win of the season. Both keepers kept their teams in it with a fine string of saves up until the 70th minute, as Adam Virgo out jumped the Walsall defence, directing a fine header into the top right hand corner.
Dagenham and Redbridge came from behind to beat Swindon 2-0 to win only their second game of the season. An excellent header from Thomas Dossevi gave Swindon an early lead. Dagenham were denied an equaliser shortly afterwards, thanks to a cracking save from Swindon keeper David Lucas. They then came out roaring after the break and instantly drew level thanks to a carefully placed goal from Damian Scannell. With 10 minutes remaining the flamboyant Bas Savage grabbed all three points for Dagenham, using his strength to hold off two defenders before turning and poking the ball past the hapless Lucas.
After a difficult and testing month, Sheffield Wednesday returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win at Notts County. Marcus Tudgay opened the scoring with a 25-yard strike, before The Magpies were then reduced to 10-men after Alan Judge lashed out at Darren Potter. Potter then scored in the final stages to give The Owls a deserved win.
Oldham and Leyton Orient battled out a scrappy 1-1 draw at Boundary Park. Oldham took the lead just before half time, after some neat, fluent passing set up Chris Taylor who duly slotted home. Some poor defending let the visitors back into it, as Oldham’s defenders failed to react to a Charlie Daniels corner, allowing Scott McGleish to creep in and equalise. The home side poured forward in the closing stages, but were unable to find away past the impressive Lee Butcher.
A fantastic strike from McSweeney earned Hartlepool an away victory at Plymouth. The Pilgrims have now lost three games at home so far, and have slowly slumped down the table since their surprise opening day victory at Southampton.