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Round-up: EFL Matchday 31

11 February 2018

An action-packed Saturday was filled with goals, and the usual late drama across all three EFL divisions.

The day's action began with two Yorkshire derbies kicking off just after midday, the first of which saw Barnsley begin life after Paul Heckingbottom with a 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday.

The second was Heckingbottom's maiden match in charge of Leeds United, and he saw his side defeated 2-1 away at Sheffield United. Billy Sharp netted a brace for the Blades and notched his 200th EFL strike with a stunning volley.

Wolves are now 13 points clear at the top of the table, after seeing off QPR 2-1 at Molineux.

Derby County lost ground on the leaders after they were held at home by Norwich City. Matej Vydra opened the scoring for the Rams, but the hosts were pegged back by a James Maddison penalty.

On Sunday, Gary Rowett's men dropped out of the automatic promotion places after Albert Adomah and Conor Hourihane earned Aston Villa a seventh straight success. A 2-0 victory over Second City rivals Birmingham saw the Villans climb into second.

Fulham came away from the Macron Stadium cursing Adam Le Fondre after the striker netted a beauty of a second-half equaliser to hold the Cottagers to a 1-1 draw.

Bristol City led struggling Sunderland 3-0 at half-time of their Saturday fixture, but a heroic Black Cats fightback secured a point, albeit assisted by a couple of Robins own goals at Ashton Gate.

Preston North End remain seventh after being held to a 1-1 draw at Brentford, while Tony Pulis saw his Middlesbrough side get all three points at home to Reading - Adama Traore scored a double in the 2-1 win.

Hull City were victorious on the road thanks to first-half goals from Jon Toral and Harry Wilson, the latter scoring his first professional goal.

The top two teams in League One both tasted defeat on Matchday 31.

Leaders Wigan Athletic fell to a 3-1 loss against Chris Powell's resurgent Southend United. The Shrimpers earned the EFL Result of the Day accolade in the process.

Plymouth Argyle recovered from a goal down away at second-placed Shrewsbury Town to win 2-1, Jamie Ness and Zak Vyner netting the goals either side of half-time after Carlton Morris' sixth-minute strike.

Blackburn Rovers remain third, but also dropped points. They found themselves 2-0 down to Oldham at the break but goals from Charlie Mulgrew, and a 21st-birthday strike from Adam Armstrong rescued a point for Tony Mowbray's side.

Rotherham United were the only side in the Play-Off positions to pick up three points, travelling to fourth-placed Scunthorpe United and coming away 2-1 winners.

On a day littered with draws, Portsmouth grabbed a win too and moved within three points of the top six. Ike Ugbo had put Milton Keynes Dons ahead but two second-half goals, including a 93rd-minute Conor Chaplin winner gave Kenny Jackett's side the win.

At the bottom, Northampton Town picked up a huge three points on the road, with a 3-1 win at AFC Wimbledon. January Player of the Month John-Joe O'Toole assisted all three Cobblers strikes to move them three points clear of the drop zone.

There was late drama when Max Ehmer grabbed in-form Gillingham a stoppage-time draw against Peterborough United, while bottom club Bury rescued a point at Bradford City thanks to George Miller's fourth goal in four games.

Elsewhere, Bristol Rovers were 2-1 winners away at Oxford United, Charlton were denied victory by a last-gasp Doncaster Rovers equaliser, and Blackpool twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at home to Walsall.

League Two table-toppers Luton Town saw their lead at the top reduced to six points after they drew 1-1 away at Stevenage. James Collins looked to have won it in the 85th minute, but Danny Newton hit back three minutes later.

Accrington Stanley kept up their fine form with a 2-0 win on the road. A double from Jordan Clark saw Stanley upset a bumper Coventry City crowd of over 28,000. 

In third remain Wycombe Wanderers, who saw Marcus Bean repeat his goalscoring exploits of last weekend, although they were held to a 1-1 draw by Exeter City.

Swindon Town moved level on points with Notts County in third, with a 1-0 triumph over Mansfield Town courtesy of a Matt Taylor goal. Kevin Nolan's Magpies were beaten 1-0 away at Barnet.

Cheltenham Town were 5-1 winners at home to Port Vale, with Mohamed Eisa claiming the match ball, and EFL Star of the Day.

Harry Kewell's Crawley Town maintained their fine form with a 3-0 victory at home to Grimsby Town - it's now seven wins in eight for the Reds. 

Elsewhere, Crewe and Yeovil, and Carlisle and Colchester shared the points.


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