John O’Shea backs teenager Evan Ferguson to end goal drought after penalty miss

Interim Republic of Ireland boss John O’Shea backed Evan Ferguson to end his goal drought after seeing the Brighton teenager miss a penalty during Saturday’s 0-0 friendly draw with Belgium.The 19-year-old striker had a first-half spot-kick saved by Matz Sels at the Aviva Stadium to extend his run without a goal for either club or country to 21 games dating back to the end of November.A

{by} PA
Dave Challinor urges Stockport to make MK Dons victory a ‘statement win’

Stockport manager Dave Challinor called on his side to back up their crushing 5-0 win against fellow promotion hopefuls MK Dons after they gave their chances of securing an automatic place a major boost.Callum Camps, Paddy Madden, Tanto Olaofe, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Neill Byrne scored the goals as the Hatters secured just a second win in their last eight matches.Victory moves them back up to

{by} PA
Grant McCann happy to feel the pressure as Doncaster boss dreams of play-offs

Doncaster manager Grant McCann is happy to have a few more sleepless nights as he contemplates an unlikely late push for the League Two play-offs.Rovers collected a third consecutive win as they strolled past Forest Green Rovers 2-0, ensuring a top-seven finish remains an outside possibility with a 10-point gap to make up.And McCann revealed he had discussed the prospect with his wife, despite her

{by} PA
Evan Ferguson misses penalty as Ireland fail to take chances in Belgium draw

Evan Ferguson missed a penalty as the Republic of Ireland passed up the opportunity to hand interim head coach John O’Shea a notable scalp against Belgium.The Brighton striker, who reported for international duty without a goal in 20 games for his club, saw his first-half spot-kick saved by Nottingham Forest keeper Matz Sels to ensure the friendly contest at a blustery Aviva Stadium ended 0-

{by} PA
Five-star display from Stockport sees them close in on League Two leaders

Stockport gave their automatic promotion hopes a major boost with an emphatic 5-0 win over close challengers MK Dons.Callum Camps, Paddy Madden, Tanto Olaofe, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Neill Byrne scored the goals for the Hatters to earn them just a second win in their last eight matches.Victory moves Dave Challinor’s team back up to second place – two points behind leaders Mansfield

{by} PA
Stephen Clemence praises ‘fantastic’ Gillingham character after comeback win

Gillingham boss Stephen Clemence praised his side’s “fantastic” character as they twice came from behind to pick up a vital win against play-off rivals Morecambe at the Mazuma Stadium.The home side took the lead through goals from Jordan Slew and Charlie Brown either side of the break but levellers from Oli Hawkins and Timothee Dieng set up a thrilling finale which saw Connor Mah

{by} PA
Steve Morison hails ‘big day’ as win lifts Sutton off foot of table

Delighted Sutton boss Steve Morison hailed his battling side after a fine 3-1 win over Accrington lifted them off the bottom of the League Two table.Goals from Harry Smith, Omar Sowunmi and Nino Adom-Malaki did the damage as United claimed back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.Jake Bickerstaff bagged an 85th-minute consolation for Stanley but the hosts deserved their first home w

{by} PA
Lee Bell says promotion-chasing Crewe in ‘confident place’ despite barren run

Lee Bell is confident Crewe can dig themselves out of a barren run after the Alex boss praised the character of players for shaking off an early blow to draw with AFC Wimbledon.John Kymani-Gordon’s close-range finish saw the Dons take a second-minute lead at Gresty Road, but Bell’s men hit back through a fine finish from Rio Adebisi and went the closest to winning an evenly-matched con

{by} PA
Steve Evans admits Stevenage were ‘fortunate’ to draw with Carlisle

Stevenage boss Steve Evans admitted he “didn’t recognise” his misfiring team for an hour of their frustrating 2-2 draw with basement side Carlisle.Daniel Butterworth’s fine brace put strugglers Carlisle on course for what would have been their first home win for nearly three months and only a sixth victory of the season.But Alex McDonald’s 82nd-minute penalty –

{by} PA
My ears are ringing – Alex Bruce ‘frazzled’ after standing in for Karl Robinson

Salford assistant manager Alex Bruce admitted his ears were left ringing by Karl Robinson during their 2-1 victory over Notts County.The Ammies manager was sitting in the stands with director of football Ryan Giggs and Bruce’s dad, Steve, as he served a one-match touchline suspension at Meadow Lane.“My ears are ringing, I have to say,” Bruce explained at full-time on how he commu

{by} PA