Old Boys Weekend Round-Up
First up in this week's old boys weekend round-up are Richard Cresswell and Danny Pugh, who were both involved in Stoke's 1-0 win over Manchester City on Saturday. Pugh started at left-back whilst Cresswell came on at half-time to replace Fuller after the sending off of Rory Delap. A James Beattie goal deep into first half stoppage time stunned Billionaires City who were unable to fight back against ten man Stoke.
In the Wear/Tyne derby, striker Andy Carroll started up-front alongside Shola Ameobi for the Magpies. Carroll came close to netting in his first game against Sunderland after hitting the bar with a header in the first-half but was unable to find himself on the score sheet. David Healy watched on from the Sunderland substitute bench for the 1-1 draw.
David Nugent got himself on the score sheet for Pompey for the second time in as many games when he came up against former teammate Dickson Etuhu. Nugent netted a late consolation goal after Andy Johnson and Erik Nevland (2) had put the Cottagers 3-0 up. Nugent was initially on the substitute's bench but came on at half-time to replace Nwankwu Kanu.
Kevin Kilbane played his 450th career appearance on the eve of his 32nd birthday on Saturday when Hull took on West Brom at the KC Stadium. Hull had twice gone ahead through Mendy and Fagan but were immediately pegged back by Simpson and Brunt to earn the Baggies a 2-2 draw.
Simon Davey's Barnsley were left precariously looking over their shoulders after another defeat on Saturday. The Tykes now find themselves just two points above the drop zone after losing 2-0 to Bristol City. Goals from Williams and McIndoe late in the second half sealed the victory for City. Rob Kozluk and Jon Macken both played the duration of the defeat at Ashton Gate.
Burnley left it until the 4th minute of stoppage time to seal the points at Turf Moor against relegation destined Charlton. Steve Thompson netted twice in 15 minutes to reverse Bailey's 41st minute opener for the Addicks. The Clarets managed to bounce back after the heavy defeat to Watford in midweek with Graham Alexander involved throughout.
Billy Davies' Nottingham Forest suffered their first defeat during his tenure with a 2-0 reverse against Cardiff at Ninian Park. Paul Parry put the Welsh outfit ahead in the 18th minute before Jay Bothroyd sealed the points with little over three minutes to go. Kelvin Wilson played and managed to get himself booked for his endeavours.
Brett Ormerod came on in the 90th minute to make his first appearance in a tangerine shirt since his return to Bloomfield Road. The Seasiders recorded an unlikely win thanks to a DJ Campbell penalty giving them the three points at Selhurst Park against Neil Warnock's Palace.
Two former Lilywhites went head-to-head at Portman Road during the 0-0 draw between Ipswich and Plymouth on Saturday. Tommy Miller and Paul Gallagher played the full ninety minutes for the Tractors Boys and The Pilgrims respectively but neither could do anything to prevent the stalemate.
Tamas Priskin earned himself a place back in the starting eleven for Watford after his brace against Burnley in midweek. The Hungarian was unable to add to his goal tally of two this week as his Hornets side crashed to a 3-1 defeat to Wolves. Ebanks-Blake, Keogh and Vokes were on target for Wolves whilst Mariappa netted for Watford.
In League One, Jason Jarrett played the full ninety minutes for Brighton's 2-1 win over Hartlepool on Saturday. The former Wigan and Norwich midfielder helped his new side to prevent Albion's run of four successive home defeats extend itself to five.
Joe Anyinsah continued in the Carlisle side on Saturday for the Cumbrian's game with Colchester United. Colchester made it nine games without a defeat with a 2-0 win over Carlisle. Paul Reid was in the starting eleven for the U's whilst Lewis Neal is yet to make his debut for his new side.
Sean Gregan was finally able to prevent his side from leaking any more goals by ensuring he and his fellow teammates kept a clean sheet at home to Swindon. Despite stopping goals at one end, Oldham were unable to score at the other meaning the game finished a 0-0 bore draw.
Alan McCormack was part of the Southend side that saw off Bristol Rovers at Roots Hall on Saturday. Despite the 1-0 win, McCormack was booked for his endeavours and later replaced by Scannell.
To conclude League One, David Lucas was an unused substitute for Leeds United's 1-0 defeat to Walsall on Saturday.
In League Two, Omar Daley started on the right wing for Bradford City's 2-0 win over Grimbsy. The former North End winger was replaced by Colbeck after 80 minutes.
Pawel Abbott got himself on the score sheet to seal the win for Darlington against Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday. Abbott's second goal of the season proved to be the only goal of the game and enough to wrap up the points for Hartlepool.
Marcus Stewart made his comeback from injury on Saturday for Exeter City's 2-1 win over Barnet. Stewart lasted 72 minutes before being replaced by another former Preston striker, Steve Basham.
Another player making his permanent comeback from injury was Kevin Nicholls. The former Leeds and Charlton midfielder managed to get through the full ninety for the first time since returning from injury as Luton suffered another disappointing defeat. Hall had put the Hatters ahead in the 36th minute only to see the two striker Andy's, Bishop and Morrell, reverse the score to make it 2-1 to Bury. Brian Barry-Murphy also played the full match for his Bury side.
Things weren't so rosy however for Adam Nowland who suffered another injury set back. The former Blackpool and Wimbledon midfielder was taken off after just 21 minutes played during Notts County's 1-0 defeat at home to Chesterfield.
Paul Simpson's Shrewsbury suffered defeat on Saturday after a thirty-minute Jordon Rhodes hat-trick all but sealed the win. Grant Holt pulled one back on 68 minutes but proved to be scant consolation. Kelvin Langmead started for the Shrews whilst Dave Hibbert came on as half-time substitute. Defender Michael Jackson watched on from the bench.
To complete our round-up for League Two, Colin Murdock was at the heart of Accrington Stanley's defence which shipped two goals to Wycombe Wanderers. Murdock scored an own goal on 24 minutes to equalise for Wanderers after Paul Mullin had put the visitors ahead. Harrold made it two on 80 minutes to seal the win.