League One

Arsenal 2 - Middlesbrough 0 (Premier League, April 26, 2009) (Longer highlights here.) After a tight opening 20 minutes at the Emirates, Andrei Arshavin found himself at the centre of the action for Arsenal as the Russian broke down the left before picking out Cesc Fabregas who slid in and scored the opener. (First half highlights here.) After Arshavin had entertained the crowd with fancy footwork, all too easily Arsenal doubled their lead in the 66th minute. Eboue played a defence splitting ball through to Cesc Fabregas who, after beat the keeper, rolled home number two. (Second half highlights here.)

Blackburn 2 - Wigan 0 (Premier League, April 26, 2009) Benni McCarthy broke the deadlock in injury time at the end of the first half heading home a Pederson corner after Chris Kirkland missed his punch completely. On the hour mark it was two, McCarthy swung in a fine free-kick from the left and Ryan Nelsen, the Blackburn captain, glanced a header past Kirkland to claim his first ever goals for Rovers.

***

Hartlepool 0 - Leeds 1 (League One, April 25, 2009) Jermaine Beckford was the deciding factor yet again as his 33rd goal of the season gave Leeds over struggling Hartlepool.

***

Atletico Madrid 3 - Sporting Gijon 1 (La Liga, April 26, 2009) Diego Forlan smashed home a tremendous 30-yard lob (deflected) to give Atletico the lead over Sporting Gijon. Forlan then linked up with Simao down the left hand side on the Portuguese midfielder slotted in the second.

Sevilla 2 - Real Madrid 4 (La Liga, April 26, 2009) After Gonzalo Higuain had a goal chalked off early doors it was Sevilla who struck first, Perotti’s brilliant cross with the outside of the boot was headed in by Renato. Los Blancos levelled just before the interval, Raul scoring with a header from Sergio Ramos’ cross. Raul put Real in front when he slid home the visitors’ second on 63 minutes, and three minutes later Raul completed his hat-trick as Real looked in total control of the match. But Sevilla replied, Diego Capel pulling a goal back 10 minutes from time, only for Marcelo to wrap up the win with Real’s fourth at the death.

Getafe 1 - Villarreal 2 (La Liga, April 26, 2009) Villarreal took the lead at Getafe when home keeper Stojkovic spilled a free-kick and Joan Capdevila was on hand to bundle the ball over the line. Joseba Llorente netted the Yellow Submarine’s second minutes before the break. Moral netted for relegation-threatened Getafe in the second half.

Espanyol 2 - Real Betis 0 (La Liga, April 26, 2009) Espanyol scored after just four minutes against Betis, Ivan de la Pena played a perfect ball through to Luis Garcia who made no mistake in front of goal.

Recreativo Huelva 2 - Mallorca 4 (La Liga, April 26, 2009) Mallorca stormed to a two goal lead inside 15 short minutes at Recre, Jose Marin broke free the slot home the first with Juan Arango heading in the second minutes later. (First half goals here.) Sisi pulled a goal back at the start of the second half for the hosts before Gonzalo Castro restored Mallorca’s two goal cushion. Javier Camunas netted a second for Recre but they could not find the equaliser in their increasingly desperate bid to beat the drop. Kieta slipped in a fourth to wrap up the away win.

Athletic Bilbao 2 - Racing Santander 1 (La Liga, April 26, 2009) Bilbao beat Racing in a stormy affair that featured five dismissals and 17 cards. Fernando Llorente opened the scoring with his 14th goal of the season before David Lopez doubled Athletic’s lead with a 42nd minute penalty. Pablo Pinillos pulled Santander to within one with a penalty in the 57th after Fran Yeste was sent off for barging into Jonathan Pereira.

Valladolid 0 - Osasuna 0 (La Liga, April 26, 2009) (Longer highlights here.) Osasuna are far from safe from the drop, lying just three points above the bottom three, but their need for points looked anything but urgent in a match desperately lacking in inspiration and invention.

***

Napoli 1 - Inter Milan 0 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) Marcelo Zalayeta ended a sequence of 500 goalless minutes for Napoli by drilling home the opener in the 73rd minute.

AC Milan 3 - Palermo 0 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) After Massimo Ambrosini was fouled in the box, Kaka converted from the spot to put Milan ahead against Palermo. The Rossoneri quickly chalked up a second, Ambrosini crossing for Super Pippo to head home number two. Palermo’s task became that much more difficult after Bovo picked up a second yellow seconds into the second half. And after an intense period of pressure Kaka was pushed over to win a second penalty which the Brazilian duly converted.

Reggina 2 - Juventus 2 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) Juve fell behind to an Antonino Barilla header at rock-bottom side Reggina. The Old Lady levelled at the start of the second half, Iaquinta was tripped in the box and Alex Del Piero scored from the spot. Back came Reggina with an incredible goal from Emil Hallfredsson, the Icelandic international whacking a 30-yard left-footed ripper into the top corner. But Juve would not be shaken off and three minutes later Cristiano Zanetti met a Zlatan header in the box the level the game once more. (Both Juventus goals can be seen in high quality here.)

Bologna 2 - Genoa 0 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) Bologna, coming into their match with Genoa off a run of five defeats, took a 13th minute lead thanks to a Marco Di Vaio penalty. Ten minutes later it was two as Claudio Terzi turned home a free-kick after arriving unmarked at the back post.

Sampdoria 3 - Cagliari 3 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) Samp took the lead against Cagliari midway through the first half when Cassano worked the space on the right-hand side, swung over a cross to the back post and Guido Marilungo climbed high to head home. Guido Marilungo grabbed a second header before the break, but the visitors rallied after the break as Alessandro Matri instantly cut the deficit in half. It got better for Cagliari, Robert Acquafresca drew the match all-square from the spot and ten minutes from time Daniele Conti headed the visitors in front for the first time. But the fairytale comeback was dashed by Antonio Cassano’s 86th minute volley.

Lazio 0 - Atalanta 1 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) Lazio slipped behind at home to Atalanta after Leonardo Talamonti headed home a cross in the 24th minute.

Torino 1 - Siena 0 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) Torino are precariously perched just one point above the drop zone, but will take heart from a win over Siena secured by Rolando Bianchi’s solitary strike after 10 minutes.

Lecce  2 - Catania 1 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) Gianni Munari (10) and Simone Tiribocchi (25) saw the hosts make a flying start in their pursuit of priceless points against relegation. Lecce did allow Fabio Sciacca to pull one back seconds after the restart, but Catania were unable to find an equaliser and saw their goalscorer dismissed in stoppage time after collecting a second yellow card.

***

Energie Cottbus 2 - Wolfsburg 0 (Bundesliga, April 26, 2009) Wolfsburg had the better of the chances in the first half (highlights here) in Cottbus but both Grafite and Dzeko were denied in a goalless opening 45. Felix Magath’s side were stunned in the 72nd minute when Ilica Iliev played a one-two with Skela and crossed for Dimitar Rangelov to head in at the far post. The home side put the game beyond reach when Ervin Skela made it two with four minutes remaining as Wolfsburg were caught on the break.

Monchengladbach 1 - Arminia Bielefeld 1 (Bundesliga, April 26, 2009) Karim Matmour had Borussia ahead after just 14 minutes, but Robert Tesche levelled on the half hour mark to earn Arminia a share of the spoils. The draw does little for either side, leaving them 17th and 16th respectively.

***

Lille 1 - Marseille 2 (Ligue 1, April 26, 2009) Marseille went behind to a goal from Eden Hazard. But Benoit Cheyrou (54) and Mamadou Niang (57) turned the game on its head as OM opened a five-point lead on Bordeaux.

Auxerre 2 - Caen 1 (Ligue 1, April 26, 2009) (Longer highlights here.) A stunning shot from Gregory Proment put Caen into the lead, fizzing a 25-yard drive in the top corner. A suicidal error from Gomis presented Ireneusz Jelen with a simple chance to equalise five minutes from time amd just three minutes later Jelen struck again with a super lob to steal the points.

Le Havre 0 - Grenoble 1 (Ligue 1, April 26, 2009) A goal from Pierre Boya gave Grenoble a hard-fought win against a game Le Havre side, whose relegation fate becomes ever more inevitable.

Nice 3 - St. Etienne 1 (Ligue 1, April 26, 2009) Chaouki Ben Saada put Nice 1-up before a Sable free-kick was not dealt with the hapless Tavlaridis turning the ball into this own net. Eric Mouloungui’s daisy-cutter put the game to bed, Ilan heading a late late consolation St. Etienne.

Toulouse 1 - Lorient 1 (Ligue 1, April 26, 2009) Defender Mauro Cetto levelled for the hosts with one minute remaining, cancelling out Andre Ayew’s opener for Lorient in the 85th minute to leave Toulouse fifth in the standings.

Le Mans 0 - Monaco 1 (Ligue 1, April 26, 2009) Chu-Young Park’s 86th minute effort proved to be difference between the two sides in a keenly-fought contest.

Nancy 2 - Nantes 0 (Ligue 1, April 26, 2009) Nancy claimed a third consecutive success as they proved too strong for lowly Nantes, Julien Feret (55) put Pablo Correa’s side in front, before Andre Luiz rounded things off from the penalty spot on 67 minutes.

Sochaux 1 - Valenciennes 1 (Ligue 1, April 26, 2009) Sochaux needed an injury-time equaliser from Vaclav Sverkos to salvage a 1-1 draw from a home contest with Valenciennes. The visitors had taken the lead on 62 minutes through Amara Bangoroa.

***

Ajax 1 - AZ Alkmaar 1 (Eredivisie, April 26, 2009) With the title already secured, AZ boss Louis van Gaal was able to field some youngsters away at Ajax, and Jeremain Lens took his opportunity in the first team by scoring a fine solo goal after 23 minutes. AZ lost Schaars just before the hour mark, and minutes later Ajax blew the chance to level when Suarez missed a cheeky penalty as the managed to catch his dinked effort. Three minutes from time Luis Suarez had a second chance, this time converting inside the post.

ADO Den Haag 2 - Feyenoord 3 (Eredivisie, April 26, 2009) Den Haag took the lead midway through the second half when Timothy Derijck opened the scoring, but the visitors were level two minutes later when Jon Dahl Tomasson got on the scoresheet. Tomasson scored his second of the game on 76 minutes before Richard Knopper equalised for the home team in the 81st minute. But Leon Vlemmings’ side snatched a winner a minute later when Roy Makaay found the back of the net.

***

Porto 2 - Vitoria Setubal 0 (Superliga, April 26, 2009) Lisandro Lopez bagged a brace (first and second) as Porto kept up their charge at the top of the table.

***

Eskisehirspor 0 - Besiktas 2 (Super Lig, April 26, 2009) Besiktas kept their title dreams alive with two late goals, Bobo netted the first in the 67th minute before Filip Holosko wrapped up the points three minutes from time.

Galatasaray 1 - Ankaraspor 1 (Super Lig, April 26, 2009) Baris Ozbek put the hosts ahead but Roguy Meye’s lasp-gasp equaliser effectively ended Gala’s title dreams.

***

Thrasivoulos 0 - Olympiakos 2 (Greek Super League, April 26, 2009) Matt Derbyshire and a Luciano Galletti penalty settled the match in Olympiakos’ favour.

Levadiakos 0 - Larisa 1 (Greek Super League, April 26, 2009) Metin’s goal after 12 minutes was not the most exciting part of the match as Koltzos, K. Kiassos (both for Levadiakos) and Fotakis all saw red in the minutes minutes.

Aris Saloniki 3 - Panthrakikos 2 (Greek Super League, April 26, 2009)

Xanthi 4 - Iraklis 1 (Greek Super League, April 26, 2009)

Asteras Tripolis 3 - Panionios 4 (Greek Super League, April 26, 2009)

***

NK Zadar 0 - Hajduk Split 3 (1. HNL, April 26, 2009)

Croatia Sesvete 1 - NK Osijek 1 (1. HNL, April 26, 2009)

NK Rijeka 6 - Slaven Belupo 2 (1. HNL, April 26, 2009)

HNK Sibenik 0 - NK Rijeka 1 (1. HNL, April 26, 2009)

***

Nagoya Grampus Eight  2 - Yokohama FM 1 (J-League, April 26, 2009) After falling behind to a goal from Sakata just before teh break, Nagoya won the match in the final stages as Yoshida and Ogawa turned the game in the hosts’ favour.

***

Argentinos Juniors 1 - Independiente 1 (Clausura, April 26, 2009)

Godoy Cruz 0 - Lanus 1 (Clausura, April 26, 2009)

Arsenal 2 - Middlesbrough 0 (Premier League, April 26, 2009) After a tight opening 20 minutes at the Emirates, Andrei Arshavin found himself at the centre of the action for Arsenal as the Russian broke down the left before picking out Cesc Fabregas who slid in and scored the opener. After Arshavin had entertained the crowd with fancy footwork, all too easily Arsenal doubled their lead in the 66th minute. Eboue played a defence splitting ball through to Cesc Fabregas who, after beat the keeper, rolled home number two.

Benni McCarthy broke the deadlock in injury time at the end of the first half heading home a Pederson corner after Chris Kirkland missed his punch completely.

***

Hartlepool 0 - Leeds 1 (League One, April 25, 2009) Jermaine Beckford was the deciding factor yet again as his 33rd goal of the season gave Leeds over struggling Hartlepool.

***

Villarreal took the lead at Getafe when home keeper Stojkovic spilled a free-kick and Joan Capdevila was on hand to bundle the ball over the line. Joseba Llorente netted the Yellow Submarine’s second minutes before the break.

Espanyol scored after just four minutes against Betis, Ivan de la Pena played a perfect ball through to Luis Garcia who made no mistake in front of goal.

Mallorca stormed to a two goal lead inside 15 short minutes at Recre, Jose Marin broke free the slot home the first with Juan Arango heading in the second minutes later. (First half goals here.) Sisi pulled a goal back at the start of the second half for the hosts.

***

AC Milan 3 - Palermo 0 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) After Massimo Ambrosini was fouled in the box, Kaka converted from the spot to put Milan ahead against Palermo. The Rossoneri quickly chalked up a second, Ambrosini crossing for Super Pippo to head home number two. Palermo’s task became that much more difficult after Bovo picked up a second yellow seconds into the second half. And after an intense period of pressure Kaka was pushed over to win a second penalty which the Brazilian duly converted.

Reggina 2 - Juventus 2 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) Juve fell behind to an Antonino Barilla header at rock-bottom side Reggina. The Old Lady levelled at the start of the second half, Iaquinta was tripped in the box and Alex Del Piero scored from the spot. Back came Reggina with an incredible goal from Emil Hallfredsson, the Icelandic international whacking a 30-yard left-footed ripper into the top corner. But Juve would not be shaken off and three minutes later Cristiano Zanetti met a Zlatan header in the box the level the game once more.

Bologna 2 - Genoa 0 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) Bologna, coming into their match with Genoa off a run of five defeats, took a 13th minute lead thanks to a Marco Di Vaio penalty. Ten minutes later it was two as Claudio Terzi turned home a free-kick after arriving unmarked at the back post.

Sampdoria 3 - Cagliari 3 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) Samp took the lead against Cagliari midway through the first half when Cassano worked the space on the right-hand side, swung over a cross to the back post and Guido Marilungo climbed high to head home. Guido Marilungo grabbed a second header before the break, but the visitors rallied after the break as Alessandro Matri instantly cut the deficit in half. It got better for Cagliari, Robert Acquafresca drew the match all-square from the spot and ten minutes from time Daniele Conti headed the visitors in front for the first time. But the fairytale comeback was dashed by Antonio Cassano’s 86th minute volley.

Lazio 0 - Atalanta 1 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) Lazio slipped behind at home to Atalanta after Leonardo Talamonti headed home a cross in the 24th minute.

***

Wolfsburg had the better of the chances in the first half (highlights here) in Cottbus but both Grafite and Dzeko were denied in a goalless opening 45.

***

Ajax 1 - AZ Alkmaar 1 (Eredivisie, April 26, 2009) With the title already secured, AZ boss Louis van Gaal was able to field some youngsters away at Ajax, and Jeremain Lens took his opportunity in the first team by scoring a fine solo goal after 23 minutes. AZ lost Schaars just before the hour mark, and minutes later Ajax blew the chance to level when Suarez missed a cheeky penalty as the managed to catch his dinked effort. Three minutes from time Luis Suarez had a second chance, this time converting inside the post.

***

Eskisehirspor 0 - Besiktas 2 (Super Lig, April 26, 2009) Besiktas kept their title dreams alive with two late goals, Bobo netted the first in the 67th minute before Filip Holosko wrapped up the points three minutes from time.

***

Nagoya Grampus Eight  2 - Yokohama FM 1 (J-League, April 26, 2009) After falling behind to a goal from Sakata just before teh break, Nagoya won the match in the final stages as Yoshida and Ogawa turned the game in the hosts’ favour.

After a shaky start, Manchester United were gifted an opener after 14 minutes as James Milner’s foolish back-pass was handled by Friedel, and from the indirect free-kick Cristiano Ronaldo found the far corner.

United however continued to look below par and Villa found a leveller 15 minutes later when John Carew expertly headed home a Barry cross from the right.

The second half started muck like the first with United stuttering and, after Ronaldo lost the ball to Petrov, Carew “burst” down the left with Gary Neville alongside the forward but refusing to tackle, with the giant striker’s cross  picking out Gabi Agbonlahor who headed in the second.

Colchester 0 - Leeds 1 (League One, April 4, 2009) A belter from Luciano Becchio proved enough for Leeds.

Bournemouth 4 - Rochdale 0 (League Two, April 4, 2009) Brett Pitman scored a hat-trick as Bournemouth eased their relegation fears and dented Rochdale’s promotion bid. Liam Feeney bagged the Cherries second of the game midway through the first half.

Exeter 2 - Dagenham & Redbridge 1 (League Two, April 4, 2009) The Grecians moved second place in the table as Stuart Fleetwood the hero with a beautiful curler after 16 minutes and then a second after the break, Ben Strevens scoring in between for the Dags.

Falkirk 0 - Rangers 1 (SPL, April 5, 2009) It took Rangers just nine minutes to take the advantage at Falkirk, Kris Boyd rolling the ball over the line after good work by Nacho Novo on the left.

Despite looking a yard offside, Osasuna’s Walter Pandiani was awarded with heading in a ninth minute opener at Atletico Madrid. The Rojiblancos soon levelled, Diego Forlan bending in a low shot from the edge of the box.

But Atletico famed porous defence could not help but concede a second on the stroke of halftime when Krisztian Vadocz turned in a scrappy second following a corner.

Zaragoza 1 - Girona 0 (Segunda Division, April 4, 2009)

Juventus 3 - Chievo 3 (Serie A, April 5, 2009) Despite Juve have the better of the opening it was Chievo who struck first in Turin, Sergio Pellissier skipping past Buffon and scoring from a tight angle. The Old Lady soon levelled, Giorgio Chiellini (playing in a facial mask) crashed home a beauty that went in off the underside of the bar.

The Flying Donkeys continued to press and they were rewarded with a second just before the break when Sergio Pellissier bagged his brace. Juve rallied after the break, the visitors failing to pick up Camoranesi at the back post and his header was turned into the net by Santiago Morero.

Juve then pressed for the winner, Trezegeut missing a sackful of chance, before Giovinci set up Vincenzo Iaquinta to head in the third with 10 minutes remaining.

But with the game moving into injury time Chievo and Sergio Pellissier achieved the incredible, completing his hat-trick and earning a point for the relegation-threatened visitors.

Roma 2- Bologna 1 (Serie A, April 5, 2009) Francesco Totti slotted home a 12th minute penalty to give Roma the lead at home to Bologna.

The visitors equalised midway through the half, Massimo Marazzina heading home unchallenged from a corner. The second half started much the same way as the first, Francesco Totti restoring Roma’s lead from the spot.

Palermo 1 - Torino 0 (Serie A, April 5, 2009) After a goalless first half in Sicily, Palermo pulled ahead of Torino through Edison Cavani’s header into the near post after 50 minutes.

Atalanta 1 - Fiorentina 2 (Serie A, April 5, 2009) The early kick-off in Italy between Atalanta and Fiorentina bore no goals in the first half. The hosts seized control thanks to a scrappy Gianvito Plasmati opener 50 minutes in, his shot taking a massive deflection en route to goal.

The lead didn’t last long, Federico Peluso gave away a penalty and was sent off in the process leaving Stevan Jovetic to draw the Viola level. Alberto Gilardino proved the match-winner for the visitors with netting in the 89th minute. (Both Fiorentina goals can be seen here.)

Reggina 0 - Genoa 1 (Serie A, April 5, 2009) Rock-bottom Reggina are four-point adrift of second-bottom Lecce after Thiago Motta sunk the host with the only goal 15 minutes from time.

Cagliari 1 - Catania 0 (Serie A, April 5, 2009) A tight match was settled by Alessandro Matri’s winner 10-minutes from time.

Sampdoria 2 - Napoli 2 (Serie A, April 5, 2009)

Claudio Pizzarro scored a freak goal to give Werder the lead, his shot deflecting wickedly off a Hannover defender to loop agonisingly over Enke in goal.

Guillaume Hoarau headed PSG in the lead after 20 minutes, Loic Remy (offside) pulling Nice level 10 minutes before the break.

Ryad Boudebouz fired Sochaux ahead from the spot, and Rennes were two-down after Mevlut Erdinc fired in a second two minutes later.

Roda 1 - Ajax 2 (Eredivisie, April 5, 2009) Ajax’s talisman Luis Suarez fired the Amsterdammers ahead after just two minutes. 20-year-old Ismail Aissati, talked up as a huge Dutch talent for tomorrow, then grabbed his first goal for Ajax in the 66th minute with a clinical left-footed drive in the box. Sekou Cisse netted a consolation for Roda.

Alex fired Spartak ahead with a stunning free-kick into the Nalchik top corner.

Tomsk 0 - Zenit St. Petersburg 3 (Russian Premier League, April 5, 2009) All the goals arrived after the break, Zenit’s young Portuguese defender Fernando Meira celebrated his first goal prodding home at the back stick.

Igor Denisov doubled the visitors’ lead before a brilliant weaving run from Konstantin Zyryanov allowed Fatih Tekke to tap-in the third.

Lokomotiv Moscow 2 - Krylya Sovietov Samara 1 (Russian Premier League, April 5, 2009) Samara took the lead at Lokomotiv when Timofei Kalachev controlled a miscued corner at the near post, spun, and fired his shot into his far corner.

The hosts drew level after 53 minutes, Oleg Kuzmin curling a beauty from 20-yards out. Tomislav Dujmovic won the match for Lokomotiv with three minutes remaining.

Dinamo Bucharest 3 - Rapid Bucharest 0 (Liga I, April 4, 2009) Dinamo Bucharest continued their march for a fourth sucessive league title with a crushing win in the Bucharest derby, Danciulescu, Niculae and Cristea netting the goals.

Ivory Coast 5 - Malawi 0 (World Cup qualifier, March 29, 2009) The Flying Elephants brushed aside Malawi. Koffi Romaric opened the scoring in the first minute before Didier Drogba claimed two, the first a penalty (which Zokora couldn’t watch) and a fine left footed strike. Second half goals from Salomon Kalou and Bakary Kone completed the rout.

Egypt 1 - Zambia 1 (World Cup qualifier, March 29, 2009) Amr Zaki put his Premier League goal drought behind him to put Egypt in front but Francis Kasonde equalised on 57 minutes.

Mozambique 0 - Nigeria 0 (World Cup qualifier, March 29, 2009) Veteran striker Dario Monteiro from South African club Mamelodi Sundowns was the unluckiest footballer on the artificial Machava Stadium pitch as he netted twice during the first half only to be ruled offside each time.

***

Crewe 0 - Millwall 1 (League One, March 28, 2009) On-loan Jason Price broke Crewe hearts with an injury-time winner to keep the Lions in the automatic promotion race.

***

Tenerife 2 - Cordoba 0 (Segunda Division, March 29, 2009) Alejandro Alfaro’s second half double earned Tenerife the points.

***

Vicenza 2 - Salernitana 0 (Serie B, March 29, 2009) Sgrigna opened the scoring with an angled drive from just inside the box before Forestieri’s solo effort doubled Vicenza’s lead.

Parma 1 - Piacenza 1 (Serie B, March 29, 2009) Budel’s left-footed strike into the top corner gave Parma a deserved lead. On the hour mark Graffiedi equalised by nodding in Moscardelli’s cross.

Cittadella 4 - Modena 0 (Serie B, March 29, 2009) Oliveira opened the rout when he sprung the offside trap to place an angled drive past the goalkeeper. Meggiorini took his tally to 14 goals thanks to a solo effort and pouncing on a defensive error. Bonvissuto sealed the poker late on from a corner.

Brescia 2 - Livorno 2 (Serie B, March 29, 2009) In the opening 60 seconds Brescia took the lead through Caracciolo’s angled drive. Moments later Tavano equalised with a fine right-foot finish, before Tavano turned the game around at the start of the second half with his looping header. Caracciolo earned Livorno a point from the spot.

All the goals from Sunday’s action in Serie B can be seen here.

Would you like an extra £20 in your back-pocket? If you have followed our betting advice to-date, that’s exactly would you have this Tuesday.

You’re choices are this: either join 888.com and bet along with us by registering here. Or pretend that you don’t like money and sit idly by as you miss opportunity after opportunity to make some extra cash.

So how did we do it?

For the second round of successive betting, we hit two out of three of our predictions dead-on. Firstly, our Belgian double bet of home wins for Anderlecht and Racing Genk turned a £10 stake into a £17.65 return. And then the Bundesliga goal-fest came to our aid once more, as the high-flying Wolfsburgs kept up their amazing title challenge with a three-nil win at Arminia that earned us £8.64 from out £5 bet on there being more than 2.5 goals in the match. Sadly, Atletico Madrid’s patchy form denied us a clean sweep as the Rojiblancos when down two-nil at Mallorca.

There may not be a whole lot of football in the next few days as we wait for the international to come around, but there are a few matches still on the roster from which we aim to trouser some more lolly. Our clairvoyance has pushed us in the following direction:

1. In League One tonight, second-bottom Hereford travels to sixteenth-placed Carlisle, with all indicators pointing to a home win. The visitors have a woeful away record, the second worst in the league, which has seen the Whites pick up just two away wins all season, scoring a miserly total of just 11 goals on the road and shipping a whopping 40 in return. And it gets worse, with Hereford coming into the match off the back of five straight losses.

Without wishing to get too greedy, we are betting £2 on a Carlisle home win at 5/4. (Match odds here.)

2. On Wednesday night in League Two, tenth-placed Chesterfield hosts second-placed Rochdale at Saltergate.

Lee Richardson is looking for a response from Chesterfield after the Spireites’ seven-game unbeaten run came to an end at local rival Rotherham at the weekend, but having picked up a credible 29 points away from home this season and on-course for promotion, Rochdale will make life difficult. We expect a tight encounter to ensue, and are staking £1.50 on the draw at 9/4. (Match odds here.)

If you disagree with our predictions, think you know better, or have any other hot tips to share. please leave your comments below.

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"They have seven players on loan and they'll all go back next season so what's the future in that?" Gary Peters

This edition of Tinpot Salute will be looking at a team controversially-dubbed "Championship Loan Rangers."

A term coined by then Shrewsbury manager Gary Peters, it perfectly sums up what Hereford have been all about the last few seasons, taking players on loan from the Premiership and Championship for the purposes of promotion.

It worked last season with Hereford grabbing the last automatic promotion spot in League Two, narrowly pipping Stockport to the post.

What is their to love at Hereford? What is the tinpot factor that makes them tick?

Chairman Graham Turner doubles up as the manager. It works well too. The traditional icy link between boardroom and dugout has been destroyed, and Turner's ability to ensure the squad works within his budget has created a successful era at Edgar Street.

Turner was initially installed as manager in the 1995-96 season, but in the aftermath of the side's relegation to the Conference in 1997, Turner tendered his resignation.

It was not accepted, however, and Turner became the majority shareholder in the club. He installed himself as Chairman, taking on the responsibility of the £1 million debt.

The seasons that followed saw Turner sell several key players as the team struggled to maintain financial survival. That is when the brainwave hit.

Taking on multiple loan players, United secured two promotions in three seasons, beating Halifax in the Conference Playoff Final in 2005-06 and winning promotion to League One in 2007-08.

They never compromised on playing good football, and Turner won League Two Manager of the Season in 2008 due to his tactical and financial nous.

It was controversial, but it worked. It's a good business model in the short term at least, but sooner or later Turner is going to have secure some long-term players as loan deals get fewer and fewer.

One player that has actually been at the club for a long time is Richard Rose. The versatile defender first filled in for the club just after their promotion to League Two and played in the centre of midfield. Since then, he has filled in at right back, left back, centre-half and even as a sweeper.

A player that has stayed in centre midfield is the exciting Toumani Diagouraga, who settled at Hereford last season after spells at Swindon and Rotherham. The former Watford man was a big part of Hereford's promotion and started 50 matches.

Diagouraga is a flashback to hero Ronnie Radford, who scored the most famous goal of the Bulls' history in their 2-1 victory over Newcastle United in the 1972 FA Cup.

Right now, the Bulls are struggling badly in League One, eight points from safety. Whilst striker Febian Brandy (on loan of course) has been chipping in with a few goals the past few months, the cheer around Edgar Street is dimming.

Martin Allen's career as a manager has been littered with success and failure.

While at his first club, Barnet, he took the side to the top of the league within the first year, after bringing together a squad on nothing more than a shoestring budget.

However, Allen's ambition got the better of him. While Barnet lay in a promising position in the Conference, he left for Second Division Brentford.

Now Allen's success at Barnet may well have warranted the move to the football league club, but many Barnet fans would agree the club would surely have completed promotion in the 2003-2004 season had Allen stayed until the end.

Barnet crashed out to Shrewsbury Town in the playoffs that season, as Allen saved the Bees from relegation in the last remaining months of the season.

He did not stop there however. In his next two seasons, Allen turned the relegation candidates into promotion contenders with successive playoff finishes.

Although he was denied by first Sheffield Wednesday and then Swansea City, he had clearly taken Brentford on as a team. A success that climaxed with him knocking Sunderland out of the FA Cup in the fourth round.

Allen's ambition swelled further, and targeted extra funds to finalize that crucial promotion push.

However, his ambition could not be matched by the clubs board, and he tendered his resignation at the end of the 2005-2006 season.

Allen then found a club, whose financial ambition could match his own on the pitch, Pete Winkleman's Milton Keynes Dons.

He reached the playoffs for the third time in his managerial career, but was yet again denied at the semi-final stage after loosing to Shrewsbury Town.

Leicester City soon came calling for the impressive Allen, who despite his inability to produce instant promotion, could guarantee stability to any club.

However, Allen came across trigger-happy Milan Mandaric and started a nightmare at the Walkers Stadium, which lasted just four games.

Arguments over potential transfers involving Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Derek Riordan fueled speculation that Allen was set to leave the Championship Club.

After taking a year out of the game Allen joined League One Cheltenham Town, but unlike at previous clubs he has not been able to turn the clubs fortunes around.

Cheltenham struggled last season, and staved off relegation on the final day of the season.

Allen has not had much luck stemming the flow this season. The club lie twelve points from safety, routed to the bottom of League One.

As if Cheltenham's plight could not get worse, the club have entered huge financial difficulties, and look set to enter administration anytime soon.

The problem is if the club does not concede the inevitable and enter administration before March 10, the standard 10 point deduction that would normally be enforced this season would be in place for next season. This would leave the club with a huge uphill struggle and on the brink of successive relegation.

Now the club have insisted that administration would be the final straw and a point that they do not want to get, without admitting that it is a distinct possibility.

To add to the situation, Allen was told that to cut costs players are free to leave the club.

Lloyd Owusu has already gone to Brighton with a host of players expected to leave before the end of the week.

It is important that the clubs biggest asset, Allen, does not follow suit.

His departure after what is sure to be certain relegation this season would be dreadful for the club, and administration would make their start in league two execrable.

Would the former Barnet manager cling on to Cheltenham and help them challenge in League Two?

Or would the ambition that has followed the eccentric manager continue as he looks to further his football league career?

Allen has not hesitated from leaving clubs whatever extreme the club was in. He would not defer from moving on from Cheltenham.

Allen's up and down career has taken him all around the football pyramid. But would this impending relegation be too much of a step down for 'Mad Dog'?

Saturday was a good day at the office for Leeds United following a week of disappointment.

The sleeping Yorkshire giants had suffered successive defeats at the hands of Huddersfield and a woeful defeat at Hereford, but they picked themselves off the floor to beat struggling Cheltenham 2-0 thanks to a brace from Jonny Howson.

Other results also went Leeds' way, only Leicester and Peterborough of teams above Leeds were able to win their respective matches. All this leaves Leeds in eighth place with 14 games remaining.

They currently have 51 points, one point off the teams currently in the playoff positions.

In recent times the team finishing sixth in League One have accrued a points tally between 71 and 76. In that time only Hartlepool, in the 2004/5 season, has reached the playoffs having lost more than the 13 games that Leeds have already lost this season.

On that basis, it should be fair to assume that a further 25 points in the remaining 14 games would secure Leeds a Play-Off berth.

Of the teams currently above Leeds, they entertain Scunthorpe United, MK Dons and Stockport County at Elland Road and face testing trips to Oldham Athletic and Leicester City.

Of the games remaining there is an even split of seven at home and seven away from Elland Road. Traditional Promotion form is considered winning your home matches and drawing the away encounters which would reap the club a reward of 28 points.

Leeds certainly have the personnel to hit that kind of form, although their stuttering season to date may not suggest that kind of run is likely.

In spite of recent disappointments, the playoffs are not out of reach. Leeds will need to draw a line under what has passed before this season and treat the remaining games as a mini season within a season.

Captain Frazer Richardson (above) is due back from injury soon and if they can keep Jermaine Beckford on the pitch, avoiding the injuries and suspensions that have disrupted his season so far, Leeds do have a chance.

Beckford returns from a three-match suspension on Saturday as Leeds play host to playoff rivals Scunthorpe United.

Man City survived a scare after 22 minutes at Anfield when a loose ball in their box was barely cleared to safety. At the other end Steven Ireland missed a glorious opportunity to give the Citizens the lead just before the half hour, while Albert Riera had the best chance in the first half for the Reds but the Spaniard dragged his shot wide after good work from Torres.

Fulham 2 - West Brom 0 (Premier League, Feb. 22, 2009): The Cottagers broke the deadlock on the hour mark. Pantsil worked the space down the right, saw his cross flicked on by Johnson, and Bobby Zamora connected at the back post to score. The second arrived 10 minutes later, Zamora controlled a long ball on his chest and hammered a shot that Carson parried with Andy Johnson on hand to slot into an empty net.

Southampton 3 - Preston 1 (Championship, Feb. 21, 2009): Andrew Surman opened the scoring for Saints on 19 minutes before Marek Saganowski dipped a spectacular volley over the Preston goalkeeper from 25 yards to double Southampton’s lead. The Polish international striker took his tally to six goals in seven games with a fine individual goal just before halftime. Wallace pulled a goal back for Preston late on.

Leeds 2 - Cheltenham 0 (League One, Feb. 21, 2009): Jonny Howson broke the deadlock after 54 minutes when he headed in Robinson’s right-wing cross before doubling Leeds’ advantage 11 minutes later after receiving a well-executed pass from Fabian Delph.

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Jaroslav Plasil gave Osasuna a second minute lead against Numancia after being played through the visitors’ defence and slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

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AC Milan 1 - Cagliari 0 (Serie A, Feb. 22, 2009): After 66 goalless minutes, the Rossoneri moved ahead of Cagliari when Clarence Seedorf slotted the ball into an open net, although Pipo Inzaghi clearly pushed a defender out the way in the buildup to the goal.

Fiorentina 2 - Chievo 1 (Serie A, Feb. 22, 2009): Santiago Morero came up from the back and managed to get on the end of a corner as the visitors took a 12th-minute lead at Fiorentina. Alberto Gilardino brought the Viola level 20 minutes from time with a well-placed header into the corner. The end of the match was frantic; Chievo had Italiano sent off before Adrian Mutu (who else!) popped up to claim a 93rd-minute winner.

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Nantes 1 - Caen 1 (Ligue 1, Feb. 21, 2009): Caen, without a win in their last 10 outings, got off to a flying start with an early goal from Anthony Deroin, only for Christian Bekamenga to square matters just before halftime.

Lorient 1 - Sochaux 2 (Ligue 1, Feb. 21, 2009): Lorient went ahead after Vahirua released Kevin Gameiro in the box, and the striker beat three defenders before shotting through the legs of Teddy Richerts. But second half goals from Vaclav Sverkos and Mevlut Erding’s last minute winner gave Sochaux their first away win of the season.

Toulouse 0 - Valenciennes 0 (Ligue 1, February 21, 2009): Toulouse missed the chance to go second and keep pace with leaders Lyon, as they were held to a goalless draw by lowly Valenciennes.

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Ajax fell behind at home to Volendam when van Basten’s defence was once again torn open and Gerson Sheotahul arrived on the scene to stroke home the opener. Luis Suarez equalised for Ajax with a header following a set-play.

Sparta 1 - Twente 2 (Eredivisie, Feb. 22, 2009): Sander van Gessel turned home a Eljero Elia left wing cross into his own net to give Twente the lead at Sparta.

De Graafschap 0 - Feyenoord  2 (Eredivisie, Feb. 22, 2009): Feyenoord took a 54th-minute lead when Karim El Ahmadi carried the ball upfield unopposed and scored from the edge of the box. Forgotten man Jon Dahl Tomasson wrapped up the win with a second in injury time after De Graafschap gave away the ball in midfield.

Utrecht 0 - NEC 2 (Eredivisie, Feb. 22, 2009): Utrecht’s goalie Michel Vorm was completely at fault for NEC’s 77th minute opener, the keeper failing to catch a simple header from Youssef El-Akchaoui before Joel Tshibamba added a second minutes later.

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Rio Ave 1 - Vitoria Setubal 0 (Superliga, Feb. 21, 2009)

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Young Boys 4 - FC Aarau 0 (Swiss Super League, Feb. 21, 2009): Marco Schneuwly and Seydou Doumbia both bagged a brace.

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Suwon Bluewings 1* - LA Galaxy 1 (Pens. 4-2) (Pan-Pacific Championship final, Feb. 22, 2009): Suwon took a 39th-minute lead when Sean Franklin headed into his own net. Mike Magee drew the Galaxy level with a 89th-minute penalty. The South Korea side won the tourament on penalties.