Wayne Rooney had to settle for a point again after Derby were denied a first win in 11 games by Gustavo Hamer’s stoppage-time equaliser for Coventry in a 1-1 draw at Pride Park.
Derby had only seven minutes to see out after Colin Kazim-Richards scored with a header but Hamer’s late intervention meant another draw, three days on from Derby being held 1-1 by Wycombe in their first game with the England and Manchester United’s record goalscorer in sole interim charge. Derby are four points adrift of safety while Coventry moved up a place to 19th, four points clear of the relegation zone.
“It’s frustrating, and it hurts to have conceded so late. The players gave everything,” Rooney said. “We created chances and deserved the victory. The players have done what I’ve asked, which is great, but then we concede a goal and then it seems like doom and gloom.
“I’m confident in this job and this role and of course I would love to do it. If not, I’ll be here as a player but we’ve put plans in place and if they’re not to be at least the players have stability of knowing the plans for the next few weeks and can have something to work to. The quicker the new ownership is done the better because I think a decision does need to be made.”
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League One roundup
Max Power (pictured) grabbed a point for Sunderland with a late equaliser at home to struggling Burton. The Black Cats sacked manager Phil Parkinson on Sunday, but their winless run now stands at six games in all competitions. It was also a frustrating night for Ipswich, who were held to a 0-0 draw at Oxford.
Lincoln moved up to second, a point behind Hull, after coming from behind to beat bottom side Wigan. Jorge Grant’s free-kick cancelled out Kal Naismith’s opener, and Tom Hopper got the winner with seven minutes to play. Portsmouth and Fleetwood missed chances to climb the table, both losing 1-0 at Blackpool and Northampton respectively.
Rochdale boosted their survival hopes with an unexpected 4-0 win at Plymouth, and Crewe moved into the top half by coming back from 2-0 down to beat Swindon 4-2.
Bournemouth, who would have gone above leaders Norwich on goal difference with a draw, lost 3-2 at home to Preston. Following Tom Barkhuizen’s 16th-minute opener, Scott Sinclair scored a stunning 40-yard lob to put Preston 2-0 up just after the break and Patrick Bauer added the third in the 68th minute. Junior Stanislas swiftly replied and Sam Surridge pulled another goal back with four minutes of normal time remaining but Bournemouth could not save themselves from defeat.
“They didn’t deserve to score the three goals as they were based on our mistakes,” said the Bournemouth manager, Jason Tindall. “The first came after a free-kick, the second was miscommunication at the back and then the third was from a free-kick where we switched off at the back post. I felt if the game went on for another five minutes we would have got something.”
Bristol City are up to third, level on points with Bournemouth, after coming from behind to win 2-1 at QPR. Adam Nagy scored the winner five minutes into the second half after Nahki Wells had cancelled out Rob Dickie’s early effort.
Fourth-placed Brentford won 2-0 at Rotherham to extend their unbeaten run to eight games. Marcus Forss put them ahead before Ivan Toney scored a late penalty, awarded for a foul on Sergi Canos by Mickel Miller, who was sent off.
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League Two roundup
Cheltenham (pictured) and Exeter made up ground on Newport after the leaders were held by promotion rivals Forest Green. County went ahead through Tristan Abrahams’ penalty but Jamille Matt denied his former club with a late equaliser.
Goals from Alfie May and substitute Chris Clements gave Cheltenham a 2-1 win at Bradford. Exeter climbed to third with a 4-1 win at Grimsby, with Randell Williams getting a double. In-form Tranmere moved into the play-off places with a 1-0 win at Oldham.
Scunthorpe climbed out of the bottom two in style, thrashing Harrogate 5-2. Abo Eisa scored twice for the Iron, who earned their third straight away win. Barrow remain in trouble after a 1-0 defeat at Morecambe.
Cardiff won 3-0 at home against Huddersfield, with Kieffer Moore scoring twice and Robert Glatzel also getting on the scoresheet, while Barnsley fought back from a goal down to win 2-1 at Birmingham. Scott Hogan put the home side ahead but a Cauley Woodrow penalty and an 84th-minute Callum Styles goal secured Barnsley the points.
