In the Championship – Coventry win widens gap at bottom

Gary McSheffrey - scored the Coventry equaliser

They held the lead for almost an hour and then conceded two goals in nine minutes as first Gary McSheffrey and then Stern John turned the game on its head. After abusing John last week the Coventry fans were left chanting his name after his goal proved to be the winner.

Reading boss Steve Coppell admitted he had no idea what had gone wrong but said his side are probably now the worst in the league having not won since Boxing Day whilst his counterpart Micky Adams, who included new signings Ian Bennett and Trevor Benjamin, was delighted with the comeback.

The result even allowed them to climb a place on goals scored after Plymouth suffered a five goal defeat at West Ham where they gifted them some farcical goals. The Hammers though have learned how to take penalties after their abysmal effort in the FA Cup shoot out this week and both Marlon Harewood and Teddy Sheringham converted from the spot.

The first came from a totally unnecessary hand ball, the second saw the keeper push it into his own net and then they allowed Malky Mackay to break through to volley home a third.

The second half hardly mattered and Plymouth are now well and truly in a relegation fight. Their two new strikers, Dexter Blackstock and Nick Chadwick were again far from impressive.

Plymouth are now closest to Gillingham who are four points adrift but they should have been two closer. They were twice in front at Wolves but the home side twice equalised. Incredibly the Gills went in front for the second time in time added on but then allowed Wolves to go straight down and level.

Manager Stan Ternent remains optimistic but still wants to bring players in. He is though concerned at the defence and said after the game, “I’m frustrated by the way we defend, they didn’t have to work hard for their goals.”

Marcus Tuday - his goal saw Derby go in front

Grzegorz Rasiak scored again to bring the Rams level before second half goals from Marcus Tudgay and an Inigo Idiakez penalty ensured the win.

The win took Derby into fourth place above Preston after they could only draw against the league leaders Ipswich on Friday. North End took the lead with Dave Nugent scoring again on what was his first start, replacing the axed Patrick Agyemang.

A somewhat fortuitous Tommy Miller equaliser earned Ipswich the point and for Preston there were more goalkeeper problems. Without Andy Lonergan with a long term injury, his deputy Gavin Ward had to be substituted towards the end with youngster Chris Neal making his debut as a substitute.

Having picked up that point Ipswich were able to check on their two closest rivals this afternoon with one of them winning and the other losing.

Wigan were the winners, and easy 3-0 winners over Leeds with both of their strikers on the scoresheet. Poor Leeds, you really do have to feel sorry for them with their lack of players.

Shaun Derry made his debut after signing from Palace but it really is a struggle for their dynamic management duo of Kevin Blackwell and Sam Ellis. Since taking over in the summer they have only been able to bring in 25 new players. How can a club exist like that?

Finally Sunderland fell behind after going down at Brighton. They were already behind to a Richard Carpenter goal when Brighton were reduced to ten men on the half hour after Adam Virgo received his second yellow card.

Brighton managed to double that lead just before half time and Sunderland’s only reply was a late goal from Julio Arca.

Apart from debuts in the league from Bennett, Benjamin and Derry as we have already mentioned Brighton had Arsenal keeper Rami Shaaban making his debut in goal after signing on loan whilst two players leaving Ipswich were also making debuts.

They were James Scowcroft who has returned to Ipswich on loan and full back Chris Makin who has made the short journey to Derby for the rest of the season.

There’s a virtually full fixture list this midweek and a full fixture list next week following recent disruptions because of the FA Cup, a competition in which I hear Burnley will be playing tomorrow.