Brave Scotland rescues flailing Swans

A LATE kick-off at Liberty Stadium yesterday saw Coca-Cola League One leaders Swansea held to a 2-2 draw by Bristol Rovers.

Rickie Lambert had put Rovers ahead in the 14th minute with a 18-yard strike and Craig Disley doubled the advantage in the 36th minute. But Roberto Martinez’s side refused to throw in the towel and striker Jason Scotland pulled a goal back in the 50th minute.

The Trinidad and Tobago international grabbed his second in the 84th minute and almost won the game in the second minute of injury time but saw his shot saved by Steve Phillips.

Goals from Danny Livesey and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson gave Carlisle a 2-0 win over Northampton, which helped consolidate their position in the second automatic promotion place.

Livesey put the Cumbrians ahead five minutes after the break at Brunton Park when he headed Simon Hackney’s corner past goalkeeper Mark Bunn from close range. Bridge-Wilkinson then made the points safe six minutes from time when he latched on to Danny Graham’s pass and finished well from just inside the penalty area.

Third-placed Doncaster’s 1-1 draw with Oldham meant that Carlisle now have a five-point cushion on their promotion rivals.

Nottingham Forest’s chances of promotion are now likely to be through the play-offs after they were held to a 0-0 draw at the City Ground by Brighton. The result left Forest 11 points behind Carlisle while Brighton move into the play-off zone at the expense of Tranmere, who suffered a 2-1 defeat to relegation candidates Bournemouth.

Gillingham’s hopes of survival were dealt a massive below blow after they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Port Vale.

Paul Connor (47) gave Cheltenham a 1-0 win Leyton Orient which moved them eight points clear of the drop zone.

Ian Roper scored in injury time to give Walsall a point at Crewe who had broken the deadlock with a 20-yard strike from Nicky Maynard.

Millwall moved a point closer to safety after a 0-0 draw with struggling Luton while Hartlepool enjoyed 2-0 home win over Yeovil.

Mark Wright came off the bench to give MK Dons a 1-0 victory over Accrington which kept them at the top of Coca-Cola League Two on goal difference.

Paul Ince’s side were frustrated by Stanley for large periods of the match but 56th-minute substitute Wright eventually made the breakthrough.

The 26-year-old midfielder volleyed a Dean Lewington cross past goalkeeper Kenny Arthur seven minutes from time to give his side maximum points.

Second-placed Peterborough kept the pressure on with a 1-0 home win over 10-man Chester.

Posh midfielder Dean Keates got the crucial breakthrough in the 71st minute when he headed home. Chester lost Tony Dinning after he was given a second yellow card.

Hereford remain in the automatic promotion places by a point after they suffered a 2-1 defeat away to a Lincoln side who played the majority of the match with 10 men.