Matchday Reports - Sat 29 Mar 2014

Ipswich Town 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Date: Sat 29 March    Kick-off: 15:00   Ground: Portman Road    Att: 17,955

Daryl Murphy's header earned Ipswich a point at home to Nottingham Forest, to pull closer to the play-off positions.

Managerless Forest took the lead when Danny Collins, a former Ipswich loanee, met Daniel Fox's corner to fire past Town keeper Dean Gerkin.

Jamie Paterson almost doubled the advantage with a deflected shot, before Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was denied an equaliser by a smart Karl Darlow save.

Forest's goalkeeper then denied Murphy, but the striker levelled to leave both sides sitting two points off the play-offs.

Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy: "We were outplayed in the first half and they were very good. Dean Gerken was man-of-the-match at half-time and Karl Darlow was man-of-the-match in the second half.

"We could have won it, but we could have been 3-0 down. We were excellent in the second half and we would have liked to have won it, but I am pleased with seven points from nine."

Notts County 2-0 Colchester United

Date: Sat 29 March    Kick-off: 15:00   Ground: Meadow Lane    Att: 5,230

Colchester United's woes continued as they were defeated 2-0 to relegation-threatened Notts County.

Ronan Murray gave the home side an early lead when he broke clear and finished under U's keeper Sam Walker.

Haydn Hollis headed in his third goal in three games in first-half injury time from Alan Sheehan's free-kick as the Magpies took control of the game.

The U's had their opportunities as Freddie Sears's effort hit the post, while Notts' Jimmy Spencer went close.

Colchester manager Joe Dunne: “The result is a negative but we have to take responsibility for the way we’ve aided teams."

“We have to take responsibility individually and collectively for how games start."

Southend United 1-0 Torquay United

Date: Sat 29 March    Kick-off: 15:00   Ground: Roots Hall    Att: 6,556

Freddy Eastwood's first goal since October gave Southend a second successive win and are unbeaten in five games.

Southend dominated for large parts and should have gone in front but centre-back Jakub Sokolik missed an open goal from six yards out.

John White's header hit the crossbar before substitute Eastwood finished from close range.

Southend's win sends them back in the play-off places.

Southend goalscorer Freddie Eastwood: "I was never going to miss that! It was great to get the winning goal!"

"That's two wins in a row and players are getting back to full fitness. These are good times for Southend United."


Gateshead 1-0 Braintree

Date: Sat 29 March    Kick-off: 15:00   Ground: Gateshead International Stadium   Att: 859

JJ O'Donnell's 90th minute winner sent Gateshead  to a 1-0 win over fellow promotion hopefuls Braintree.

The midfielder pounced on James Marwood's cross to fire home in the 90th minute to win the game for the Tyneside club.

The visitors were on top for much of the match but were caught with the sucker punch after failing to score.

Gateshead now sit third while Braintree are two points off the play-offs although they have two games in hand.

Braintree manager Alan Devonshire: “The performance was absolutely excellent and our boys showed just how good a side that we are.

“We totally controlled the game, but they had the bit of luck that you sometimes need to win games."

 Chelmsford 0-0 Havant & Waterlooville

Date: Sat 29 March    Kick-off: 15:00   Ground: Melbourne Stadium    Att: 613

Chelmsford played out a goalless stalement with promotion-searching Havant & Waterooville.

Both sides struggled to convert their chances  but at the same time missed glaring opportunities to steal the three points.

Havant’s Alex Przespolewski  had an excellent chance in the first-half when one-on-one with Carl Pentney but he missed the shot.

Chelmsford manager Mark Hawkes: “I think you have to settle for a point before the game started. It was a very even contest, and we had the best chances of the game in the first five or six minutes.

“It’s a point gained. You look at the league table, Havant are sixth in the league with one point off the play-offs before the game started and they’ve got three games in hand. They’re a good side, which the table shows."

Cheshunt 2-2 AFC Sudbury

Date: Sat 29 March    Kick-off: 15:00   Ground: Cheshunt Stadium    Att: 135

Jack Wilkinson's late strike secured a point for AFC Sudbury as they drew 2-2 at Cheshunt.

Ben Thompson gave the Yellows an early lead but Lewis Payne's strike three minutes later pegged the visitors back.

Allen Bossman gave Cheshunt the lead in the 54th minute, before Wilkinson was on hand to secure a point for AFC.