League One round-up: Gillingham still top after 1-1 draw
Saturday 24 October 2015 18:38, UK
Leaders Gillingham remain two points clear at the top of the Sky Bet League One table thanks to Doug Loft's late equaliser in their 1-1 draw at home to Southend United.
Stephen McLaughlin needed just 11 minutes to fire the Shrimpers in front on Saturday, from Joe Pigott's assist.
And that was the way it remained until the 89th minute when Loft squeezed the ball into the top right-hand corner, from all of 40 yards, to the delight of most of those present at the Priestfield Stadium.
Closest rivals Walsall, meanwhile, were involved in an eight-goal thriller at Colchester who netted four second-half goals in a 4-4 draw.
At half-time, the Saddlers were top of the table having taken a two-goal lead, combined with Gillingham's early setback at home to Southend.
Romaine Sawyers opened the scoring at the Weston Homes Community Stadium after combining with Anthony Forde in the 11th minute, with Milan Lalkovic adding a second on 29 minutes with a low left-foot strike from outside the box.
But during a remarkable start to the second half, which witnessed four goals in 15 minutes, Colchester fought back twice to first level matters at 2-2 and then again at 3-3 with Owen Garvan cheekily notching the home side's third goal on the hour.
Darren Ambrose then put the hosts in front for the first time in the 80th minute, firing home from close range.
However, with 90 minutes on the clock, James O'Connor forced home the equaliser as Walsall snatched a point to remain unbeaten on the road this season.
Elsewhere, Burton beat Port Vale 2-0 to move level on points with second-placed Walsall as both sides ended the match with 10 men.
Both goals arrived during the final eight minutes at the Pirelli through Tom Naylor and Nasser El Khayati.
Naylor nodded Albion in front from Zeli Ismail's cross while El Khayati sealed the three points in the final moments by racing into the box before firing his shot beneath keeper Jak Alnwick from seven yards.
As for the sendings-off, Port Vale's Uche Ikpeazu received a second yellow card midway through the first half for diving, while Robbie Weir was shown a straight red 10 minutes from time.
At the County Ground, lowly Swindon netted twice during last five minutes to snatch a 2-2 draw at home to Coventry.
Ben Gladwin notched the first at the County Ground before Nicky Ajose brought the teams level in the second minute of injury time from the penalty spot, after Aaron Martin had fouled Ajose.
All four goals came after the hour mark but, despite Swindon's late brace, the Robins remain second from bottom in the table.
Meanwhile, James Hanson's 63rd-minute header grabbed a point for Bradford City who drew 1-1 at Valley Parade with in-form Wigan.
In the clash between bottom-of-the-table Crewe and struggling Blackpool at Bloomfield Road, the Seasiders secured three welcome points with a brace of second-half goals in a 2-0 win.
Hayden White opened the scoring on 64 before Jack Redshaw smashed home a penalty three minutes from time after Chris Atkinson had fouled David Norris.
The win moves Blackpool out of the relegation zone.
Jamie Proctor scored the only goal in the 29th minute as Fleetwood won 1-0 at Barnsley, while Bury lost 2-0 at Shrewsbury despite enjoying greater possession.
The Shakers collected 13 corners, to just two from the hosts, but left New Meadow with nothing to show for their efforts - after Abu Ogogo had netted the killer second goal 16 minutes from time.
In the lunchtime kick-off at Bramall Lane, Aiden O'Brien netted twice as Millwall beat Sheffield United 2-1.
After Che Adams had struck a post for the Blades, O'Brien headed the Lions in front from Shaun Cumming's cross after half an hour.
Jose Baxter levelled for the hosts 20 minutes from time when he located the top left-hand corner of the net.
But with 80 minutes on the clock, Shane Ferguson fed O'Brien to clinch three points for the visitors.
Peterborough scored twice in each half as they crushed Doncaster 4-0 at London Road where Erhun Oztumer netted the second goal and added two assists.
Paddy Madden was on target twice - including once from the spot - as Scunthorpe scored three second-half goals to beat 10-man Chesterfield 3-0 at the Proact Stadium.
The turning point arrived on 56 when Daniel Jones was sent off after bringing down Gary McSheffrey in the box and Madden was on target from the spot.
In the only goalless game of the day, Oldham secured their 10th draw of the season - from just 15 games - at Rochdale where the referee pulled out his yellow card eight times.
