Cherries close to giant killing
Jordi Gomez's second-half equaliser denied League Two AFC Bournemouth a shock FA Cup win at Wigan.
Jordi Gomez's second-half equaliser denied League Two AFC Bournemouth a shock FA Cup win at Wigan.
The new manager of AFC Bournemouth has been talking about his return to the club after a deal was signed to bring his back this weekend.
A look ahead to the weekend's football fixtures in the Meridian region.
Bournemouth, who were top at the start of the day, could only draw 0-0 at Tranmere but were promoted to the Championship as runners-up.
At the other end, Scunthorpe had their relegation to the fourth tier confirmed after Colchester defeated Carlisle, rendering the Iron's 3-1 win over Swindon futile.
It was a frantic finish for Scunthorpe with all four goals scored in the last seven minutes, including two in stoppage time, but it proved not to be enough.
Swindon took the lead in the 83rd minute through James Collins but Scunthorpe levelled four minutes later through Michael Collins.
Portsmouth, meanwhile, finished their season with a 3-2 defeat by Shrewsbury.
Connor Goldson, Joe Jacobson and Akwasi Asante gave Shrewsbury a 3-0 lead before Ashley Harris and Patrick Agyemang scored for Pompey, but it was not enough to finish their disappointing campaign with a final victory.
A late goal at Elland Road saw 10-man Brighton beat nine-man Leeds to secure a play-off place for Gus Poyet's side in an ill-tempered match.
Will Buckley opened the scoring for Brighton in the 10th minute, with Leeds midfielder Rodolph Austin shown red shortly after.
Brighton's Inigo Calderon was sent off midway through the second half for a challenge on El-Hadji Diouf, who scored the resulting penalty before being sent off himself after appearing to abuse the away fans following the goal.
Jose Ulloa had the final word as he headed a late winner for Brighton.
BLUE SQUARE BET PREMIER
Champions: Mansfield.
Relegated: Telford, Ebbsfleet, Barrow, Stockport.
NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Champions: Cardiff
Relegated: Bristol City.
NPOWER LEAGUE ONE
Champions: Doncaster.
Promoted: Bournemouth.
Relegated: Scunthorpe, Bury, Hartlepool, Portsmouth.
NPOWER LEAGUE TWO
Champions: Gillingham.
Promoted: Rotherham, Port Vale.
Relegated: Barnet, Aldershot.
Bournemouth go top of League One after beating Carlisle 3 - 1. They will be promoted tonight if Brentford lose at Hartlepool. Swindon confirmed their place in the plays off with a 3 - 0 win over Stevenage. Crawley lost 2 - 1 at Oldham. Portsmouth have had a day of celebrations.
They came out of administration and beat Sheffield United 3 - 0.
Bournemouth are hoping to reach the second tier of English Football for the first time since 1987 and if they do, it'll be thanks in part to Brett Pittman who has scored in each of his last six games.
Howe's side who travel to Shrewsbury tomorrow are in second place, trailing leaders Doncaster by only two points. Brett Pittman talked to us earlier on today.
AFC Bournemouth could equal a club record of seven consecutive wins if they beat Shrewsbury Town tomorrow. Eddie Howe’s men have taken all 18 available points from their previous six outings and could significantly boost their promotion charge by snatching another three at New Meadow.
The Cherries currently lie second in the table, only two points behind leaders Doncaster, but despite their healthy position are wary of teams below with games in hand. Brentford lie two points behind Bournemouth with a game spare, while Sheffield United lay six points below with two in hand.
Eunan O’Kane should be included in the squad after limping off during their 3-1 victory over Notts County last weekend. Brett Pitman’s form offers the Cherries a huge confidence boost after he won League One Player of the Month for March.
The former Bristol City striker has scored six goals in as many games and is only four short of Jermaine Defoe’s consecutive goals per game club record. However, Pitman insists he does not want to surpass that record, favouring automatic promotion over a play-off campaign.
Shrewsbury have an agenda of their own ahead of tomorrow’s fixture with one more win ensuring their League One safety. Last time out, Graham Turner’s side lost 2-1 to Cherries’ promotion rivals Yeovil Town.
Both of the south's teams in League Two managed a point this afternoon.
Oxford United drew 1-all at home to Morecambe. Aldershot also managed a 1-all draw away at Rochdale.
Crawley drew 1-1 at home to Stevenage.
Swindon couldn't manage a win either also drawing 1-all at home to Oldham - which keeps them in the play-off position.
AFC Bournemouth were at Colchester and came away with a 1-nil win which lifts the Cherries into an automatic promotion place.
Portsmouth are away to Preston - kick-off was at 5 o'clock.
Championship: Barnsley 2 Brighton 1; League One: Brentford 2 Swindon 1; Leyton Orient 1 Portsmouth 0; Stevenage 0 Bournemouth 1; Yeovil 2 Crawley 2; League Two: Aldershot 1 Burton Albion 2; Exeter 0 Gillingham 0; Oxford Utd 1 Barnet 0.