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Today's Edition for
 
    6th January 2002 
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 Rivals match reports JKLatics.com (http://oldhamathletic.rivals.net) Latics crashed out of the FA Cup to Third Division Cheltenham Town. It was a disappointing display by Latics. Latics made four enforced changes to the side that beat Northampton 1-0 at the Sixfields last Saturday. Paul Rachubka wasn't allowed to play by Manchester United, as they didn't want him cup-tied. Gary Kelly returned in-between the sticks for the first time in a month. Latics two full-backs, Dean Holden and Chris Armstrong both sat the match out with one match suspensions. Scott McNiven returned to the first team and Lee Duxbury came back into the side. Lee Duxbury took up Paul Murray's position in midfield, and Murray went to left-back. David Reeves had previously played in the FA Cup for Chesterfield this season, so therefore was cup-tied. John Eyre came back into the side, after three weeks on the sidelines. Mick Wadsworth made one final change, bringing Stuart Balmer back into the side, to replace Frenchman Julian Baudet. That made a total of five changes. Cheltenham's side included one of the best partnerships in division three, Julian Alsop (6 feet 5) and Tony Naylor. (5 feet 4) Tony Naylor has a habit of scoring against Latics, although last season failed to score in the two games Latics played against Naylor's former team, Port Vale. FIRST HALF I find it hard to write a report on this match, as there was so little incident in the match. Three goals were scored, one man got sent off, but apart from that, no much else happened. I think Latics had a total of five shots. One went in, two were saved quite easily by the Cheltenham keeper, Book, one shot went well over, and one went just wide. All five shots came from David Eyres. I don't recall any other Latics players having a shot. Latics played a total of four strikers throughout the game, and none of them even had a shot at goal. Smart, Eyre, Tipton and Dudley couldn't muster a shot between them. Latics first effort at goal came early on, when a John Sheridan pass, put David Eyres in down the left. He shot at goal, but Book saved quite easily. Julian Alsop had a shot at goal from 25 yards, which went over Gary Kelly's bar. Alsop had another effort at goal a few minutes later, when Tony Naylor put a cross onto his head. The ball was flying towards goal, but John Sheridan got back well to head the ball off the line. Both teams then huffed and puffed, with Cheltenham having a few long range efforts, which Gary Kelly either save or saw sail past his post. On 25 minutes, Latics went behind to a good goal. The ball was played into Tony Naylor's path on the edge of the box. He superbly flicked the ball over Balmer, and slammed the ball home from the edge of the box. It was a superb piece of individual skill, and a great finish. (0-1) Just as at Hull in the 2nd round, going a goal behind brought Latics to life. John Sheridan has two free-kicks in superb positions, and both times he hit the wall. The wall looked to be only around 8 yards away, but the free-kicks were poor. Latics played some decent stuff at the end of the half, and got the reward they deserved. Scott McNiven played a superb ball forward, into Darren Sheridan's path. Sheridan then played a superb ball over the Hull defence into John Eyre's path. He raced to the right hand by-line, and played the ball into Eyres, 6 yards out. He beat the defender to the ball, and poked the ball home. (1-1) A huge sense of relief was felt by Latics fans. All in all a poor half for Latics, but back on level terms, and all thought Latics would go onto to win the game. SECOND HALF Latics started the 2nd half looking for a second goal, and David Eyres was always in the thick of the action. His cross looked destined to land on Allan Smart's head early on in the half, but it was just to pacy for him. Eyres had another effort at goal from 22 yards, which whistled past the post. The keeper was stranded. It was obvious to all that Eyres was the man to win the game for Latics, and needed to see as much of the ball as possible. Cheltenham started to come more into the game, and looked the more likely to score, but didn't really threaten Gary Kelly, but Latics didn't threaten Cheltenham's keeper, Steve Book. Lee Williams was having a good game for the Robins, and put a good cross into Latics box on the hour mark. It looked as if Kelly should have come for the ball, and Stuart Balmer clearly thought so after. The ball came to Naylor, at the back post, and the smallest man on the pitch headed the ball goalwards. The ball looked as if it was going into Kelly's arms, but it hit Stuart Balmer's backside and went into the net. An unfortunate goal, which Gary Kelly should have come for. (1-2) Latics had as I remember only one more effort at goal in the last 30 minutes, and that came from David Eyres. It went well over the bar. Latics made substitutions on 68 minutes when John Eyre and Scott McNiven were replaced by Julian Baudet and Matthew Tipton. Baudet went into central defence, and Beharall moved to right-back. Craig Dudley then replaced Allan Smart with 17 minutes to go. Darren Sheridan was booked just before Dudley came on. He was booked, despite being given the foul. He must have mouthed off at the referee. With 10 minutes left, Latics had a good chance. A cross came into the back post, and strangely John Sheridan was the furthest man forward. He headed the ball back into Lee Duxbury's path, but he miss kicked the ball, when really he should have buried the ball. Cheltenham cleared, but that was it from Latics. A minute later Darren Sheridan was sent off for a 2nd bookable offence. He went in for a 50-50 challenge, and was unlucky very unlucky to get sent off. His team-mates seemed very annoyed at the decision. The final whistle went, and Latics had played poorly and deservedly lost. This was probably the poorest performance under Mick Wadsworth's reign. To only have five shots, and all of those coming from the left-winger is poor. Latics desperately missed Chris Armstrong, and Paul Murray didn't look comfortable in the left-back position. Latics could also have desperately have done with the muscle of David Reeves up-front. Stuart Balmer had a poor game, and for the first time this season he's been totally beaten by a striker. Julian Alsop totally dominated him. Latics looked so much better with Julian Baudet in the team and he must start the next match. John Sheridan had a poor game, especially with his set-pieces. Lee Duxbury hardly had a kick all game. Everyone was pretty poor, except for Eyres, Baudet and Beharall. Dudley and Tipton didn't do to badly, but had hardly anytime to impress. This was a game of few chances, and a neutral probably would have been bored stiff, but credit must go to Cheltenham. They wanted the game much more than Latics, and played really well. Naylor and Alsop is a partnership many 2nd division sides would like. If Latics don't get promotion this season, I feel we will be returning to Whaddon Road, as they have a great chance of going up. Best of luck to Cheltenham in the next round against Burnley. Latics are now out of the cup, but since seeing the draw am probably not all that bothered. It's a disappointment to lose any match, but Latics can now concentrate on the league, and win the LDV Vans trophy. Latics were disappointing, but get Carss, Armstrong, Reeves, Baudet and Rachubka back in the team, and we will win more than we lose.
 Official Oldham Athletic Web Site (www.oldhamathletic.co.uk)Content from the Oldham Athletic Web Site is used with permission of Oldham Athletic Football Club The Latics arrived at Whaddon Road for the first time in their history, on the back of three wins over the festive period. Suspensions meant that Dean Holden and Chris Armstrong were unable to play, David Reeves was cup tied and Manchester United would not allow Paul Rachubka to play. Gary Kelly returned in goal, Scott McNiven came in at right back and John Eyre started for the first time since he picked up an injury against Wigan before Christmas. The match started fairly quietly until John Sheridan found David Eyres on the left of the penalty area and his shot stung the Cheltenham keeper's hands. Cheltenham responded through Allsop when he fired over the bar from way outside the area.  Ex-Port Vale star, Tony Naylor beat Beharall and put a good cross into the box, which John Sheridan did well to put his head in the way and clear the danger. Cheltenham then took the lead through Naylor on 25 minutes, it was Naylor who turned Balmer and then fired past Kelly at his near post.  The Latics responded by forcing three corners in quick succession.  The second corner forced the Cheltenham defence to head off the line as the Latics came back into the game. Kelly had to be alert to stop Naylor when he raced off his line to clear the danger.  At the other end Scott McNiven had a shot blocked when he raced forward to join the forwards.  The Latics then had a penalty appeal turned down when another John Sheridan free-kick seemed to be handled in the defensive wall. The Latics pressure told and the equaliser came just before half-time.  Darren Sheridan played a lovely ball through to John Eyre whose cross was hammered by David Eyres off the keeper's body.  Eyres' kept up his record of scoring in every round. In the first minute of the second half, the Latics nearly got their noses in front when an Eyres' cross from the left was nearly turned goalbound by Allan Smart.  Cheltenham kept attacking the Latics though and on one occasion Balmer seemed to be pulled down by Allsop but the referee allowed play to continue and Beharall came to the rescue, by blocking the forward's effort. David Eyres continued to look the most dangerous Latics attacking option and he had an effort that missed the goal by inches as the Latics kept looking for the winner.  However, amazingly Tony Naylor then put the home side in front with a far post header.  The diminutive forward some how found space at the far post to head home from a Williams cross. The Latics made changes in an attempt to salvage something from the tie, McNiven and Eyre made way for Baudet and Tipton.  Darren Sheridan then received a booking when the Latics were awarded a free kick!  Dudley then replaced Smart as the Latics through their last roll of the dice. The Latics were unlucky not to score when a John Sheridan knocked a ball down in the box and Duxbury was unfortunate not to score.  With time running out, Darren Sheridan then received a second booking and was dismissed.  It was the last straw for the Latics as they saw their F.A. Cup hopes dashed for another year. Official Cheltenham Town Web Site (www.cheltenhamtownfc.com) Robins into the fourth round for the first time

Cheltenham Town pulled off the best FA Cup result of their 110 year history with this win over second division Oldham Athletic. The Robins, who were in the third round for only the third time in their history, reached Round Four for the first time with two goals from star striker Tony Naylor. Oldham also became only the third Football League club ever to lose to Cheltenham in the FA Cup and the result made it only two defeats in 21 league and cup matches for the Robins. The good news for Cheltenham was that Naylor was passed fit to take his place in the team. Naylor had been troubled by a knee injury but recovered in time to replace Neil Grayson in the only change to the team that defeated Torquay United on New Year’s Day. Steve Book had his gloves warmed by a stinging shot from David Eyres in the sixth minute but Cheltenham enjoyed a promising spell of possession in the opening stages. Jamie Victory beat his man and crossed for Lee Williams on the edge of the box but his pass failed narrowly to reach Naylor, then Julian Alsop broke clear from the half-way line and flashed a shot from 25 yards wide of the posts. Cheltenham went even closer in the 16th minute when Russell Milton sent Naylor away into space on the left-hand side of the area. Naylor produced a nifty turn to leave his marker for dead and crossed for Alsop, whose powerful header was nodded clear by Lee Duxbury. 
Oldham were on their heels at that point and Milton drove a shot inches over the crossbar from the edge of the box although goalkeeper Gary Kelly, a former Irish international, probably had it covered. Stuart Balmer met a Milton cross with a diving defensive header and from the resulting corner there were loud shouts for a penalty from the C&G Stand as a defender jumped with his arm in the air. Tellingly, however, there were no appeals from the Cheltenham players. Antony Griffin ballooned a shot over the bar from distance but the Robins made their dominance count with a goal from Naylor after 25 minutes. A long clearance from Book was flicked on by Alsop and Naylor turned inside Balmer with a sharp change of direction before drilling a low shot inside Kelly’s right-hand post. Oldham bounced back with three corners in quick succession and won a free-kick 25 yards out when David Eyres was fouled by Michael Duff. John Sheridan fired the kick straight into the defensive wall but Book was forced to fall upon a shot by John Eyre after Paul Murray had supplied him with a cross from the by-line. But Cheltenham continued to look the more threatening team with the guile out wide of Milton and Williams, the height and strength of Alsop and the unpredictability of Naylor. Five minutes before the break Williams crossed from the right, Alsop headed it back for Milton and his right-foot shot was seen late by Kelly, who was wrong-footed and dived to prevent a goal. However, as Cheltenham pressed forward in search of a second goal they were caught out by a swift counter-attack down the left. Darren Sheridan released John Eyre and he got to the by-line, pulling the ball back for Eyres, whose shot from point-blank range hit Book and bounced into the net. 
Both teams had chances early in the second half with Oldham striker Allan Smart just failing to meet an inviting cross from Eyres and then Griffin breaking free on the right for Cheltenham. His centre was met by Naylor with a neat flick towards goal but the ball hit Balmer and went behind for a corner. Played ebbed and flowed from one end to the other with Eyres shooting wide for Oldham but the crucial next goal went to Cheltenham on the hour mark. Williams found the space on the right to deliver a high, hanging cross to the far post, the ball sailing over Kelly and dropping for Naylor to head just inside the far post. The goal brought the crowd to life and there was a raucous atmosphere inside Whaddon Road for the last half hour. Oldham manager Mick Wadsworth send on three substitutes in an attempt to claw the game back into his team’s favour but it was Eyres who continued to be the danger man, finding space on the left and thudding a ramrod shot into Book’s chest from 15 yards. There was yet more drama 10 minutes from time when Lee Duxbury mis-kicked in front of goal after Matthew Tipton touched a cross from Craig Dudley into his path, and then Darren Sheridan, one of Oldham’s most influential players on the day, was sent off for a second booking. Sheridan was booked in the 73rd minute for dissent and received his marching orders nine minutes from time when he was carded for a clumsy challenge on Alsop. Kelly prevented further woe for the visitors when he dived to make a reflex save from Naylor, who was substituted in the final minute to a standing ovation from the Cheltenham supporters. 
Cotterill praise for team performance

Steve Cotterill reflected on the latest landmark achievement of his time as Cheltenham Town manager following the Robins' win over Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup third round. It was the first time Cheltenham had ever reached the fourth round and Cotterill could place the glory of this win alongside getting into the Football League and beating Southport in the 1998 FA Trophy final. "I think becoming a League club was our biggest achievement but as regards the FA Cup we've had a few goes in the past and failed on the big day. "But the one thing we didn't do today was fail. We were good in all of our play and probably deserved to win the game. "It was tough on Oldham because they had a few players missing through injury or suspension so we thought today was our chance. "We didn't really want a replay and I think that showed in our play. We could have been three or four up in the first half and I thought we had a blatant penalty as well when their lad punched it, but those things are out of the way now and we are absolutely delighted with how we have done. "All credit to Oldham who are a good side, have been on a good run and have a good manager, and I'm sure they will go from strength to strength and hopefully that will keep our season going as well." 
Cotterill would not single out two goal Tony Naylor as the game's key player, preferring to focus on the team aspect of the performance. "I don't think we had a bad player today," he said. "We are very much team oriented with no out and out stars. Many people will pick out Tony and I'm delighted for him, but I just wish we had had him in the close season because for his first nine games he was still getting fit. It was nice for him to score a couple of goals. "It was a good football match, probably the best here this season, and we are delighted to have contributed to that. "A lot of the lads who have been here a few years have continued to set records but the one thing we have not done until now is set a new FA Cup record that has stood since the 1930s. "We are delighted to have done that today." 

 Weekend FA Cup action (www.sportinglife.com) SUNDERLAND STUNNED BY BAGGIES

Sunderland were the highest-profile casualty as several Premiership clubs were given a scare by lower league sides in the FA Cup third round. The Black Cats were dumped out by First Division West Brom after crashing to a 2-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light. Andy Johnson netted the decisive goal in the 61st minute as the Baggies came back from a goal down to claim a deserved victory. A superb overhead kick in the 13th minute from Kevin Phillips looked to have settled any nerves on Wearside but the visitors responded with a Neil Clement penalty eight minutes later. The visitors then twice hit the woodwork before Johnson wrapped up the tie.

Third Division Leyton Orient also claimed a place in the draw for the fourth round with a stunning 4-1 victory at Portsmouth. First Division Pompey dominated the first half and led through a Dean Smith own goal but the Orient skipper atoned for his error with a goal at the right end three minutes after the restart. Steve Watts then put the visitors ahead with a superb lob after 66 minutes before Wayne Gray added another 13 minutes from time. Iyseden Christie then capped a memorable comeback with a fourth in dying moments.

Premiership Blackburn were happy to settle for a replay after falling a goal behind to Division One outfit Barnsley at Oakwell. The Tykes, rejuvenated under new boss Steve Parkin, put a foot in the fourth round when Darren Barnard struck after 76 minutes but Craig Hignett ruined his former club's plans with an 82nd-minute equaliser.

Charlton were forced to dig deep for the second successive year as they had to come from a goal down to see off Second Division Blackpool.  The Addicks, taken to a third-round replay by Nationwide Conference side Dagenham & Redbridge last season, fell a goal behind to a smart John Hills finish after 19 minutes. But Alan Curbishley's side responded to the challenge after the break and hit the post through Jason Euell before Graham Stuart took the opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot after 74 minutes. Euell added a second minutes later as Charlton went through with a 2-1 win.

Dagenham & Redbridge were involved again this season and this time gave Ipswich plenty of food for thought before going down 4-1. The Conference high-fliers took an early lead when Texan-born striker Junior McDougald coolly slotted home but two Sixto Peralta efforts either side of a Jim Magilton strike put Ipswich in firm control. Marcus Stewart then completed the comeback with his side's fourth nine minutes from time as the Daggers tired.

Beleaguered Everton had Alan Stubbs to thank for ending their dismal five-game losing streak as the Toffees won 1-0 at Stoke.  The Second Division outfit fought tooth and nail against their out-of-form Premiership visitors but Stubbs put paid to their hopes when he blasted home a free-kick after 53 minutes.

Leicester also found life far from easy against a determined Mansfield at Filbert Street. The Foxes survived a bright opening by the Stags to take the lead through Jamie Scowcroft after 24 minutes but Chris Greenacre responded before the interval. Leicester then raised their game after the break and secured a 2-1 win when Scowcroft headed home an Alan Rogers cross for the second time in the afternoon.

Chelsea were also made to work hard by First Division Norwich but lived to fight another day after a 0-0 draw at Carrow Road. Last season's finalists had no such trouble as both cruised into Sunday's fourth-round draw.

Holders Liverpool rediscovered their goalscoring touch as Michael Owen struck twice and Nicolas Anelka bagged his first for the club in a 3-0 win over Birmingham. Owen grabbed his brace within the opening 25 minutes after starting alongside the Frenchman for the first time. He was later denied a hat-trick by the woodwork. Anelka killed off any lingering hopes the Blues may have had of avenging last season's Worthington Cup final defeat when he completed the scoring six minutes from time.

Arsenal also eased through after a comfortable 4-2 win at Watford. Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg both struck in the opening 10 minutes but a Gifton Noel-Williams header pegged them back. Arsenal wasted chance after chance but Kanu ensured victory when he headed home an Henry cross after 64 minutes. Dennis Bergkamp then removed any doubt before Marcus Gayle drove in a stoppage-time consolation for the Hornets.

The 1998 and 1999 runners-up Newcastle also progressed after a 2-0 success over Crystal Palace. Alan Shearer continued his recent purple patch with his sixth goal in six games before Clarence Acuna's cool finish secured the tie.

First Division high-fliers Burnley and Manchester City both avoided potential banana skins with good wins over Canvey Island and Swindon respectively. Ian Moore grabbed a hat-trick as the Clarets crushed Canvey, previous conquerors of Wigan and Northampton, 4-1.  Glen Little grabbed their first with top-scorer Lee Boylan on target for the Ryman League side. Paulo Wanchope and Kevin Horlock, against his former club, netted in City's 2-0 win over Swindon.

Richard Sadlier scored twice as Millwall beat Scunthorpe 2-1 and Michael Brown grabbed a late winner as Sheffield United beat Nottingham Forest 1-0.

Paul Shaw struck from 25 yards as Gillingham overcame Wolves 1-0 but Grimsby and York must do battle again after a 0-0 draw at Blundell Park.

Sunday

PREMIERSHIP GIANTS SINK IN THE WEST
FA Premiership big boys tumbled out of the FA Cup as West Country rivals Cardiff and Bristol Rovers became the third-round giant-killers.  Cardiff stunned Premiership leaders Leeds United who crashed 2-1 at Ninian Park.

And lowly Nationwide Three side Bristol Rovers, who lost manager Gerry Francis just a couple of weeks ago, earned an amazing 3-1 victory at Derby County.

Everything looked to be going to plan for Leeds when Mark Viduka seized upon a sweet through ball to fire the Yorkshiremen ahead after 10 minutes. But gritty Cardiff roared on by a partisan home crowd levelled before the break through Graham Kavanagh's precision curled free kick. But the game turned on the dismissal of Leeds' tempestuous Alan Smith after tangling with Andy Legg. With 10 men for the whole of the second half, David O'Leary's side appeared to be hanging on for a draw until the 86th minute when a deep corner was headed goalwards by giant sub Leo Fortune-West and Scott Young pounced on the rebound for a remarkable winner.

Striker Nathan Ellington was the Bristol hero with a stunning hat-trick to leave Rams boss Colin Todd wondering what happens next. The Third Division side made a mockery of their supposedly inferior league position and the game was comfortably won by the time Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli made it 3-1 with two minutes to go. Rovers manager Garry Thompson backed Ellington - who took his tally to 11 goals in seven ggames - to go on and make a name for himself against other top-flight opponents. The 20-year-old shocked Derby in the 15th-minute when indecision in the Rams' defence allowed Ellington to jump for goalkeeper Scott Howie's long kick and he looped a header over the advancing Mart Poom. His second came five minutes before half-time after he beat Youl Mawene and Francois Grenet on the left side of the area and shot low past Mart Poom and he completed his hat-trick on the hour when he swivelled to fire home a right-foot volley.

Manchester United produced a stirring finale to beat Aston Villa 3-2.  After a dour first half, Villa went two goals within 10 minutes of the re-start,  Ian Taylor arrived late to finish a flowing move and two minutes later, Paul Merson's chip was headed back by UNited full-back Phil Neville but away from advancing keeper Roy Carroll and into his own net.  But with a half-fit Ruud van Nistelrooy brought on with 20 minutes to go, the tie swung around.  Ole Solskjaer pulled a goal back when he headed through Peter Schmeichel's legs after 77 minutes and then the Dutch striker scored twice in 90 seconds to seal an amazing fightback.

West Ham were given a fright by a hard-working Macclesfield side and the 3-0 scoreline did an injustice to the Third Division battlers. However, the talking point after the game concerned John Moncur's sending-off with 10 minutes to go. The midfielder was pulled from a melee by referee Jeff Winter who flourished the yellow card twice before brandishing a red. Moncur protested his innocence, claiming he was head-butted in the fracas, for which midfielder Chris Byrne could yet face a Football Association inquiry. West Ham had Jermain Defoe to thank for their passage into the fourth round, as he scored a crucial goal just before half-time after the visitors had been put under sustained pressure. Midway through the second half Defoe grabbed a second with a superb curling shot from just outside the penalty area and, with tempers still running high, England international Joe Cole jinked into the box before firing into the bottom corner.

To complete a great day for the West Country, Cheltenham from Division Three put out superior rivals Oldham 2-1. Their hero was veteran Tony Naylor who scored twice while Oldham could only reply through David Eyres and had their misery completed when Darren Sheridan was sent off nine minutes from time.

Fourth Round Draw

Brighton or Preston v Sheffield United

Rotherham or Southampton v Crewe or Sheffield Wednesday

Charlton v Walsall or Bradford

Southend or Tranmere v Cardiff

Gillingham v Bristol Rovers

Grimsby or York v Wycombe or Fulham

Darlington or Peterboro v Newcastle.

Coventry or Tottenham v Stockport or Bolton

Norwich or Chelsea v West Ham

Millwall v Barnsley or Blackburn

Cheltenham v Burnley

Everton v Leyton Orient

West Brom v Leicester.

Wimbledon or Middlesbrough v Manchester United

Ipswich v Manchester City

Arsenal v Liverpool

And on Saturday in Division 2

ROYALS CAPITALISE ON ROBINS SLIP

Bristol City missed the chance to go top of the Nationwide League Second Division as draw specialists Wigan staged a superb comeback at Ashton Gate. Trailing to two Lee Peacock goals at half-time, Wigan hit back through Lee McCulloch and Jason de Vos to level at 2-2 and claim a seventh successive draw.

Reading were the main benefactors, taking full advantage of City's slip to move above them into second with a 1-0 win over QPR. City went in front in the 13th minute when Peacock converted Joe Burnell's low cross and the same man doubled the lead with a first-time shot from the edge of the box after 23 minutes. But the Latics stormed back and hit the crossbar before McCulloch forced home Peter Kennedy's 59th-minute cross. Kennedy was again the provider for the equaliser with defender de Vos heading down his corner 12 minutes from time. Wigan could have gone on to win but Simon Haworth was denied by both post and crossbar. But a draw helped Reading who moved level on points with leaders Stoke courtesy of Andy Hughes' fortuitous 62nd-minute strike, the only goal of the game at the Madejski Stadium. Hughes mishit a left-wing cross from Tony Rougier but his error caught Fraser Digby wrong-footed and the goalkeeper was helpless to prevent the ball trickling over the line. Earlier Terrell Forbes cleared off the line as Nicky Forster seemed set to score and John Salako also missed a golden opportunity for the Royals after being put through by Forster. Kevin Gallen went the closest to scoring for QPR but his effort was well saved by Reading's on-loan American goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.

Colchester did their play-off hopes no harm with a hard-earned 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Wrexham. Bobby Bowry grabbed the decisive goal - his first for the club - in the 78th minute after Steve Thomas' lob had cancelled out Micky Stockwell's ninth-minute opener for United.

Brentford's clash with Chesterfield, Huddersfield's visit to Bury and Notts County's home encounter with Northampton were all postponed.

Contributions and letters should be sent to Gary Davies by e-mail at LaticsGary@ntlworld.comor at Boundary Bullet-zine,41 Verney Road,Royton,Oldham,United Kingdom.OL2 6AZ07786 928689Or in the Setons Chaddy end Row R Seats 67 & 68Boundary Bullet-zine Archive can be found at http://www.oocities.org/laticsgary.geo.The views expressed on this e-zine are not the views of Oldham Athletic F.C. nor necessarily the views of the Editor.This e-zine is a unofficial publication NOT sanctioned by Oldham Athletic Football Club.The editor will not publish any letters containing bad language.This e-zine is written using Microsoft Outlook Express and is best viewed with the HTML (rich) text option enabled.