We pick out 11 top performers and a manager from the week's Sky Bet Football League matches.
Goalkeeper: Ben Alnwick (Peterborough United)Alnwick kept Doncaster Rovers at bay with a fine performance between the sticks, as Peterborough recorded a 2-0 victory in the tussle between two Play-Off chasers at the Keepmoat. Posh have now won four on the spin, with the 28-year-old keeping clean sheets in three of those triumphs.
Defender: Nico Yennaris (Wycombe Wanderers)
Yennaris and his Wycombe team-mates made a blistering start in the third versus second clash in Sky Bet League 2. The right-back’s fine cross within a minute caught the Shrewsbury Town defence napping, and Sam Wood headed home what proved to be the match-winner.
Defender: Lewin Nyatanga (Barnsley)
Barnsley made it six consecutive victories by defeating Oldham Athletic 3-1 on Lee Johnson’s return to SportsDirect.com Park. Centre-back Nyatanga showed the prowess of a natural finisher, poking home two goals from close range in a win that saw the Tykes move into the Sky Bet League 1 Play-Off places.
Defender: Lewis Young (Crawley Town)
Young was on form for Crawley as they earned three crucial points in their fight for Sky Bet League 1 survival. The full-back crossed for Ryan Dickson to equalise, and then another low delivery led to Gavin Tomlin firing the Reds in front, as they went on to seal a 3-2 victory against Colchester United.
Midfielder: Jamie Hanson (Derby County)
Teenager Hanson was handed his Derby County debut in the promotion clash at Norwich City. The midfielder’s swirling corner kick forced John Ruddy into the error that earned the Rams a point, while the 19-year-old walked off the pitch at the end with a bandaged head after a battling display in the 1-1 draw.
Midfielder: Jobi McAnuff (Leyton Orient)
Leyton Orient cruised to a 3-0 win over relegation rivals Yeovil Town, with McAnuff the architect of the Glovers’ downfall. His direct running led to him teeing up Chris Dagnall for the O’s opener, and the experienced midfielder capped the victory off with the third goal of the afternoon.
Midfielder: Jermaine Pennant (Wigan Athletic)
Wigan closed the gap on Rotherham United towards the bottom of the Sky Bet Championship with a 2-1 triumph at the AESSEAL New York Stadium. Pennant struck two killer blows from free-kicks in near-identical positions – firing his first over the wall past the helpless Adam Collin, before picking out the far corner with his next effort five minutes later.
Midfielder: Ryan Leonard (Southend United)
Southend kept up the pressure on the trio of teams in Sky Bet League 2’s automatic promotion places by picking up three points at Dagenham & Redbridge. Leonard scored one of the goals of the weekend with a spectacular dipping strike, which restored the Blues’ lead on their way to a 3-1 success.
Striker: Joe Garner (Preston North End)
Garner was in explosive form as Preston romped to a 5-1 victory over Crewe Alexandra. The Lilywhites’ front man hit four goals in the rout, taking him to 20 goals in all competitions this term. The win saw Preston close the gap on Bristol City at the top end of Sky Bet League 1.
Striker: Brett Pitman (AFC Bournemouth)
Pitman makes the Team of the Week for the second week in succession, following a perfect hat-trick in Bournemouth’s 4-0 win over Blackpool. The striker’s headed effort was his second of the afternoon and his 100th goal for the Cherries, before the striker fired home from outside the box to earn himself the matchball.
Striker: Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers)
Rhodes helped Rovers to six points with his goals during the past week. A Wednesday night meeting with Bolton looked destined for a 0-0 before the Scotland international’s stoppage-time winner, and then the striker netted two more – his 150th and 151st league goals – on Saturday in a 3-1 success at Charlton.
Manager: Slavisa Jokanovic (Watford)
Jokanovic guided his Watford side to victory over Reading which saw them climb into second in the race for the Sky Bet Championship title. The Serb was pleased with the response of his side after he addressed some on-pitch issues, and Fernando Forestieri was key with one goal and two assists in the 4-1 triumph.