Blackpool 1-0 Wigan
Leeds 4-0 Birmingham
BEAGS SAYS: Brian McDermott went with a new system against Birmingham and it worked brilliantly, with the big guy Matt Smith, who has been used sparingly since joining from Oldham in the summer playing up front with little Ross McCormack. Smith, who scored twice, gave Leeds an out ball and occupied the centre-halves and after being used as an impact player I think he will get a run in the side now. Other plusses for Leeds were that they had natural width; young Sam Byram was outstanding on the right; and Rodolph Austin, who you thought just dug things out in the middle, got forward and scored.
Tranmere 0-4 Leyton Orient
BEAGS SAYS: I saw a lot of Kevin Lisbie as a youngster and he was very fleet of foot, and he is still skilful and able to create goals now. He has developed a brilliant partnership with David Mooney but the big man Shaun Batt comes off the bench, so you cannot pinpoint one man in that final third because there is danger everywhere. Tranmere were flying last year and then let it slip away but I don't think that will happen to Orient as they look to have enough quality and spirit to sustain their form.
Peterborough, meanwhile, are winning in an un-Peterborough way, but 1-0 victories are fine and can get you promoted.
Crewe 1-0 Bristol City
BEAGS SAYS: Sheffield United got a big win over Port Vale but Bristol City were beaten by Crewe and what is going wrong for them is a million-dollar question. Sean O'Driscoll has not lost his players and is straining every sinew to turn things around, but they are 11 games without a win and the players need to win matches for him.
MK Dons on-loan Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford is in form, though; he is finishing off his team's excellent approach play, his work ethic is absolutely superb, and he is getting his Football League legs. He is a genuine talent and may step up to the Championship next year after earning rave reviews with the Dons.
Cheltenham 1-2 Rochdale
BEAGS SAYS: Rochdale are just frightening. They had a little blip when they got beaten 3-0 by Portsmouth but have come back, scored goals for fun and are playing in such a lovely manner; Keith Hill always likes to play football in the right way and we are seeing that with the brave, expansive, on-the-deck football his team is producing. They are second now but the teams are concertinaed, probably because of the similar budgets they are working on, and that is making things really exciting. Look at Scunthorpe - they lost 4-0 at Exeter at the weekend and moved down five places.
