Stockport County FC

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County fail to halt Leeds' run

28 Dec 2009 - 17:49:01

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Crisis club Stockport County almost shocked leaders Leeds United in the early kick-off in League One before eventually losing 4-2 at a wintry Edgeley Park.

Carl Baker and John Mullins helped the Hatters move 2-1 ahead after an early strike from Robert Snodgrass.

But the grim luck affecting the Cheshire side in recent weeks continued and Leeds secured a 4-2 win thanks to late goals by Jermaine Beckford (2) and Leigh Bromby. Stockport also had David Poole sent off in the dying moments.

Brentford and Charlton Athletic played out a capital draw at Griffin Park. The home side, in good form recently, took the lead thanks to a 49th-minute goal scored by half-time substitute Carl Cort, but the Addicks equalised when Nicky Bailey rifled home a penalty nine minutes later.

Colchester kept up their promotion charge with a 2-1 home win against Southampton. Anthony Wordsworth in the first half and Stephen Gillespie in the second gave the U's a comfortable lead, though Ricky Lambert scored his 18th of the season from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

Exeter's joy at taking a 68th-minute lead against Gillingham through a long-range screamer from defender Richard Duffy lasted only two minutes as Stuart Lewis cancelled it out with a tidy equaliser.

Huddersfield Town consolidated their position in the top six with a 1-0 home win against promotion rivals MK Dons. The Dons missed an early penalty and were made to rue their profligacy when Anthony Pilkington scored the winning goal in the 27th minute.

Southend came from behind to win at Brisbane Road thanks to second-half goals by Adam Barrett and Alan McCormack as the Shrimpers moved up into mid-table while Leyton Orient's relegation fears grew. The O's had taken the lead with a goal from Adam Chambers in the 57th minute but it proved to be all to no avail.

Millwall eased past Bristol Rovers 2-0 at the New Den to keep their play-off hopes on track. Both goals came in the second half and were scored by Steve Morison and an own goal from Pat Baldwin deep into stoppage time.

Swindon Town are currently one of the strongest teams in League One and beat Yeovil Town 3-1 at the County Ground. It was 2-1 at half-time thanks to early strikes by Billy Paynter and Charlie Austin for the Robins and Gavin Tomlin for the Glovers. Swindon's third came just after half-time from substitute Daniel Ward.

The only goalless draw in League One on Monday came at Prenton Park where Tranmere Rovers earned what could be a valuable point at home against Carlisle United.

After drawing 4-4 at Adams Park in the FA Cup earlier in the season, Wycombe and Brighton were involved in another high-scoring match before the Seagulls eventually won 5-2.

Hero of the day was Glenn Murray who scored four goals, three of them in the second half. The other Brighton goal came from veteran Nicky Forster while Jon-Paul Pittman and John Mousinho netted for the ragged Chairboys.