In their second South coast derby in succession, Bournemouth scored a controversial penalty in the dying minutes to snatch a draw with fellow high flyers Brighton. With just an hour gone, Bournemouth’s Michael Symes was actually lucky to still be on the field at all- the striker appeared to clatter Tommy Elphick in the face with an outstretched elbow, only for the referee to somewhat bizarrely award just a yellow card.
Midway through the second half Kazenga Lualua put the Seagulls in front with a powerful strike from outside the area. Then, in a chaotic last few minutes, Bournemouth hoofed the ball up towards the opposition penalty area. After a cluster of players jumped up, the ball hit an outstretched hand. At first, the referee appeared to award a freekick, but after discussions with his linesman, proceeded to award a rather harsh penalty - how the referee saw who the culprit was is a mystery. The unnerved Marc Pugh stepped up and calmly slotted in the equaliser, leaving Gus Poyet and Brighton fuming.
Peterborough failed to take advantage of Brighton’s draw with Bournemouth, losing 2-0 away to Hartlepool. The match brought together the free scoring Posh against the defensively frail Pool. The outcome was reversed, as Peterborough’s own defence crumbled and their front line faulted in front of goal. Hartlepool took a deserved lead thanks to a Peter Hartley header. Things soon got worse for Peterborough as they were reduced to 10-men, after Lee Tomlin got sent off for a reckless challenge on Liam Mcsweeny. Their miserable day was confirmed when Gary Liddle scored a late goal to secure all three points for Hartlepool.
Carlisle capitalised on Peterboroughs defeat, beating a deflated Notts County side 1-0. Gary Madine steered home a Matty Robson cross to move Carlise up to second place in the table.
Southampton recorded their third win in four games, after a comprehensive 2-0 victory over an uninspired Tranmere Rovers side. The Saints dominated possession, controlling the tempo of the game from start to finish. In the first half Southampton could not convert their overriding possession into goals, with Tranmere's keeper looking relatively troubled.
This all changed minutes before the interval, when fans-favourite Rickie Lambert headed in from a pinpoint Danny Butterfield cross. The game was effectively over within ten minutes of the restart, as Adam Lallana slotted in his sides second. In truth this game could easily have been a defeat by five or six and Tranmere will need a vast improvement if they want to avoid a relegation scrap.
Huddersfield humiliated previously unbeaten Colchester, with an emphatic 3-0 victory at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. Goals from Lee Novak, Anthony Pilkington and Jordan Rhodes condemned Colchester to their first defeat of the season, while at the same time putting an end to their own three match losing streak.
Sheffield Wednesday put their financial problems aside, edging out Leyton Orient in a tightly fought contest at Hillsborough. Both teams were denied early on due to a couple of excellent saves from the men between the sticks. Wednesday went into the break the most fortunate of the two sides, but started the second half brightly as Lewis Buxton put them in front, heading home from a corner to score his third ever career goal. The O’s continued to threaten but couldn’t find a way past Weaver and his stubborn defence.
Paul Dickov’s Oldham came from behind to record a convincing 3-1 victory away to struggling Brentford. Brentford took an early lead when Myles Weston rounded the keeper and finished from a tight angle. Dean Furman drew Oldham level before Chris Taylor put them in front just after half time. Taylor was then hacked down inside the box by Leon Legge, with Dale Stephens scoring the resulting penalty.
At the Banks’s Stadium Walsall put an end to their eight match winless run, with a 2-1 victory over Exeter City. Goals from Reid and Richards put the home side two up after 43 minutes. Just one minute later Exeter’s mission was made even harder when Troy Archibald-Henville was dismissed after picking up two yellow cards. After the break Exeter rallied and got themselves back into it courtesy of in-form Ryan Harley, but this proved in vain as they were unable to find an equaliser. Exeter drop down to 12th, while Walsall lift themselves out of the relegation zone.
Plymouth and Charlton played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Home Park. Bradley Wright-Phillips gave Plymouth the perfect start, smashing the ball in from six yards out. In their first meaningful attack Charlton punted the ball up to Paul Benson, who squeezed his way in between three Plymouth defenders before slotting the ball past the out of position Rob Elliot. With just eight minutes remaining Plymouth’s Yannick Bolasie thought he had won it, but Benson, Charlton’s hero of the day, responded once again with a last minute equaliser.
Elsewhere Dagenham’s Jermaine Easter failed to convert a first half penalty after Lewis Guy was brought down by Tony Roberts. The half-time introduction of Sam Baldock sparked MK Dons into life, with his cool, crisp finish putting them in the lead ten minutes into the second half. Seven minutes later Mathias Doumbe headed in from close range to seal the win.
Yeovil’s Luke Freeman reacted quickly to score the only goal against Rochdale, in an un-lively match at Spotland Stadium. The win moves Yeovil up to 16th, while Rochdale slip to 9th in the table.