» auteur: David Walker

Southend brushed aside Hartlepool 3-0 to go eight points clear at the top of League One. Mark Gower netted inside a minute while two Fredy Eastwood goals on 51 and 71 sealed an easy win for the 4/6 Shrimpers.

Huddersfield remain in second place despite only managing a draw at mid-table Port Vale. The 7/4 Valiants took the lead after 59 minutes through Michael Cummins but veteran striker Andy Booth earned the Terriers a point nine minutes before the end.

The wheels may be coming off Brentford’s automatic promotion campaign as they slumped to a third successive defeat. The Bees were odds-on at 8/11 to see off their mid-table opponents but Sean Thornton netted the winner for 4/1 outsiders Rovers on the hour.

Swansea’s promotion push also took a setback as they lost 1-0 at struggling Gillingham. The 9/5 Gills took all three points when Darren Byfield fired in a penalty nine minutes into the second half.

Colchester also missed out on a place in the top two after drawing 0-0 at Scunthorpe. Substitute Billy Clark thought he had won it late on for the 9/5 U’s but an assistant's raised flag halted the visitors' celebrations. Barnsley were also held to a goalless draw at Bournemouth and also had a goal disallowed.

Oldham moved level on points with Barnsley as they swept aside strugglers Blackpool at Boundary Park. Keith Southern gave the 9/2 Tangerines the lead on 42 but a Luke Beckett hat-trick (45, 55 and 86 pen) kept the 8/13 Latics play-off hopes alive.

Cash-strapped Rotherham, saved from extinction on Thursday, moved out of relegation with a 3-1 win against Bristol City. Jonathan Forte opened the scoring for the 13/8 Millers on 27 and Paul Shaw doubled the advantage on 39. Forte notched his second of the game two minutes into the second half before Cole Skuse scored a consolation for City on 80.

Swindon gave themselves a fighting chance of survival with a 2-0 victory over fading Chesterfield. The Robins, available at 11/8 before kick-off, took the lead through Jamie Cureton after 53 minutes and the former QPR striker netted a second in stoppage time.

Bradford fought back from two goals down to push Walsall closer to the relegation zone. Kevin James on 17 and Chris Westwood 20 minutes later gave the 11/10 Saddlers the perfect start but Mark Bower on the stroke of half-time and David Wetherall four minutes after the break earned a 9/4 draw.

David Walker runs free bets and UK poker websites. A free email course: "Seven Days to Better Betting" is available at both of these websites.