League One round-up: Blackburn beaten by Southend
Sunday 6 August 2017 10:08, UK
Title-favourites Blackburn were beaten on the opening day of the Sky Bet League One season, as Tony Mowbray's side suffered a 2-1 defeat at Southend.
Having been relegated from the Championship last term, Rovers brought in Bradley Dack, Peter Whittingham and Richard Smallwood to Ewood Park over the summer. All three were handed debuts at Roots Hall, but first-half efforts from Ryan Leonard and Michael Kightly put the Shrimpers in control.
Charlie Mulgrew pulled one back with a free-kick eight minutes after half-time but the hosts held on.
Of the other sides relegated to the third tier last term, Rotherham lost 2-0 at Fleetwood and Wigan won 1-0 at MK Dons. Conor McAleny netted either side of the interval as Fleetwood made a winning start, while Nick Powell earned Wigan three points in their first game under Paul Cook in a contest which saw both sides reduced to 10 men.
Last season's League Two champions Portsmouth secured a 2-0 victory over Rochdale in their first match under new owner Michael Eisner. The former Disney executive was welcomed onto the pitch before kick-off after his Tornante Group bought out the Pompey Supporters' Trust earlier in the week.
Plymouth endured a tough start to life in the third tier with a 2-1 defeat at Peterborough, with Gary Sawyer putting the ball into his own net after only four minutes and Junior Morias adding a second shortly after half-time. Gregg Wylde scored Plymouth's consolation. Doncaster, the third of the sides automatically promoted, drew 0-0 with Gillingham at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Last season's beaten play-off finalists Bradford beat newly-promoted Blackpool 2-1, Charlton overcame Bristol Rovers 1-0 and Scunthorpe drew 1-1 against AFC Wimbledon.
Jermaine Beckford missed a third-minute penalty but then headed home in first-half stoppage time to hand Bury a 1-0 win over Walsall, while Oxford were 2-0 winners at Oldham, and Shrewsbury beat Northampton 1-0 thanks to Lenell John-Lewis' stoppage-time effort.
