Results round up 14-09-02 N-W

Ndlovu
By Paul Holmes
September 16 2002

Results round up carrying on from part B-L.

Nottm Forest 0 Watford 1 Forest were reduced to 9 men after Jack Lester and David Prutton were sent-off, after Watford had already taken the lead at The City Ground.

Defender Neil Cox smashed in the rebound after Sean Dyche headed against the post from a Neal Ardley free-kick on the stroke of half-time. Although the free-kick was dubious, Danny Webber was adjudged to have fouled Matthieu Louis-Jean by referee Colin Webster.

Webster then made himself less popular with the Forest crowd by sending Prutton and Lester off within two minutes of each other in the second half. Prutton had no arguments after a shocking lunge on Allan Nielsen but Lester was unfortunate after a high challenge that merited a yellow card at most.

Forest boss Paul Hart refused to comment on the dismissals until he's seen the video but slammed the timekeeping of referee Webster. "The fourth official said there was one minute of added time but their goal was scored after almost two minutes had been played. How do you explain that?"

Watford boss Ray Lewington was delighted with the way his team contained Hart's men. "Forest are the best passing side in the division but we never let them get into their stride."

Portsmouth 1 Millwall 0

Portsmouth snatched the three points despite Millwall dominating the game leaving Portsmouth flying high at the top and Millwall still in the danger zone.

Matt Taylor hit the bar 10 minutes for half time for Pompey but it was all Millwall who failed to offering any cutting edge. It was five minutes after the break when Portsmouth broke the deadlock. Nigel Quashie's 40-yard cross field ball caught out Matt Lawrence allowing Svet Todorov to clip over the onrushing Tony Warner.

Millwall boss Mark McGhee was furious with the defending leading up to the goal. "I can't say how angry I am - not about losing but over conceding that goal. To lose was disappointing - but to lose to that goal was diabolical".

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp warned that his players must realise every game won't be a walkover. We're not going to kid ourselves we'll run all over the opposition every time we turn out."

Preston 2 Sheff Wed

Preston snatched a late equaliser against The Owls as the men from Deepdale secured their fifth draw in seven games this season.

The Lilywhites took the lead in the 13th minute when Jamaican poked home for his fifth strike of the season. Wednesday replied through Finnish striker Shefqi Kuqi with 10 minutes of the half to go.

With 25 minutes to go Paul McLaren looked to have given The Owls three points but Richard Cresswell forced home from a Eric Skora flick-on to settle the game with a point a piece.

Preston boss Craig Brown was grateful for a point. "In the end we were fortunate. The first half hour was as good as we have given, the last half hour was out worst of the season."

Wednesday boss Terry Yorath was satisfied with the point. "I have to be happy with the draw although we should have killed the game off at 2-1".

Reading 0 Wimbledon 1

Wimbledon got their first away win of the season after a last minute winner.

Reading had a strong claim for a penalty in the 75th minute when Anthony Rougier was brought down inside the area by Rob Gier but referee Grant Hegley waved away appeals. Wimbledon's winner came two minutes into stoppage time when Jobi McAnuff converted an easy chance after good work from Adam Nowland.

Don's boss Stuart Murdoch was pleased with the win and the spirit in his camp. "I am delighted with the result, but I think we should have finished things a lot earlier."

The team spirit has never been a problem and I have got a great set of players."

Sheff Utd 1 Rotherham 0

Supersub Peter Ndlovu fired The Blades into 4th place in the table after dashing back form Zimbabwe following the tragic death of his sister.

Ndlovu came off the bench in the 70th minute and after three minutes on the pitch slotted home a cross from Paul Peschisolido which Chris Swailes failed to clear. The game ended with 14 man skirmish but referee Scott Mathieson took a sensible approach and booked no-one.

Blades boss Neil Warnock was full of praise for Ndlovu. "Peter is a smashing bloke, a nicer person you could not wish to meet. And I think that it was fitting that after the terrible week that he's had that he should score the winner".

Walsall 0 Bradford 1

Bradford made it three wins out of three but were lucky against a battling Walsall side.

Andy Gray secured the points after 53 minutes with a shot across Jimmy Walker after Michael Proctor and Ashley Ward combined well. Bantams keeper Aidan Davison made a fantastic save from Zigor Aranalde's 35-yard blockbuster and Jorge Leitao wasted two chances by firing straight at Davison.

Walsall boss Colin Lee bemoaned the chances his side missed. "Bradford have had one strike at goal and scored. We played well, but can't get the ball in. We have the fewest goals in the division - and the table doesn't lie."

Bradford boss Nicky Law was pleased with the win. "We've won the game through ten seconds of good play... and that's what you have to do at this level"