Draw keeps Iron seven clear

Last updated : 10 April 2006 By Daniel Elwes
The draw leaves the Iron on 52 points – with Hartlepool in the final relegation spot on 45 s.

Southend's 2-1 win over struggling Blackpool saw them stretch their lead at the top of the table to eight points, with Freddy Eastwood and Luke Guttridge sealing the win at Roots Hall.

Second-placed Brentford could only draw 1-1 at home against Bradford, with Lloyd Owusu pouncing two minutes before half-time to cancel out the lead Michael Symes had given the Bantams.

Huddersfield fell off the pace slightly after a 2-0 loss at Gillingham – who now appear safe. Gary Mulligan and Matthew Jarvis scored the key goals fot the Gills.

Nottingham Forest boosted their play-off charge with a 1-0 win over Colchester – James Purches got the goal when he chased down a clearance from Aidan Davison.

Swansea lost out 3-2 at Port Vale, six days after their Football League Trophy win over Carlisle at the Millennium Stadium.

Sam Togwell, Michael Cummins and Leon Constantine fired Vale's goals, with Adebayo Akinfenwa and Rory Fallon replying for the Swans.

Barnsley climbed to sixth place dafter a 1-1 draw with Chesterfield, Brian Howard's opener was levelled by Derek Niven.

MK Dons remain bottom, despite a 2-1 win over lacklustre Oldham at Boundary Park.

Izale McLeod hit two goals within a minute in the first-half, after the Latics had gone ahead through Luke Beckett.

Rotherham beat Tranmere 2-0 to haul themselves out of the bottom four.

Martin Butler and Paul shaw scored the goals. The Millers' Michael Keane and Tranmere's Paul Shaw were red carded six minutes from time after exchanging punches in the centre circle.

Hartlepool drop into the drop zone after a 1-1 draw at Swindon. Jamie Peacock levelled for the Robins after Ritchie Humphreys had put Pools ahead.

Walsall dropped to 23rd after a 3-0 home loss to Bristol City, while Yeovil's 3-0 drubbing of Doncaster saw them earn a four-point cushion to safety.