League One Betting Review - 8 May 2006

Summary: Southend were crowned League One champions following a 1-0 win against Bristol City. Wayne Gray came off the bench to score the winner with three minutes to go for the 4/5 Shrimpers.

Southend were crowned League One champions following a 1-0 win against Bristol City. Wayne Gray came off the bench to score the winner with three minutes to go for the 4/5 Shrimpers. Colchester only needed to avoid defeat to secure automatic promotion and earned the point they required with a goalless draw at Yeovil. The 12/5 draw means Colchester will play in the second tier of English football for the first time in their history next season. Brentford's hopes of automatic promotion were ended by veteran striker Steve Fletcher as he equalised for Bournemouth in stoppage time. Sam Sodje gave Brentford the lead after 22 minutes but the Cherries equalised through Steve Foley on the stroke of half-time. Andrew Frampton put the Bees back in control on 65 but Fletcher snatched a 12/5 draw at the death. Fourth placed Huddersfield were held to a 9/4 goalless draw at relegated Swindon and will face local rivals Barnsley in the play-offs. The Tykes secured their place with a crucial 2-1 win at Walsall. Marc Richards gave 4/5 Barnsley the lead after 31 minutes but Dean Keates equalised from the penalty spot on the hour. Daniel Nardiello struck the winner, also from the penalty spot, with seven minute left. Swansea confirmed their place in the play-offs with an emphatic 4-0 win at Chesterfield. Leon Knight needed just five minutes to break the deadlock and Rory Fallon added a second on 33. Knight struck again on 79 and completed his hat-trick with one minute left for the 9/10 Swans. Nottingham Forest's late rally was in vain as they missed out on the final play-off spot following a 1-1 draw at Bradford. Dean Windass gave the Bantams the lead after 20 minutes but Julian Bennett salvaged a 12/5 draw with two minutes remaining. A win wasn't enough for outsiders Doncaster to sneak into the play-offs despite winning 2-0 at managerless Tranmere. Lewis Guy after 12 minutes and Neil Roberts on 43 scored the decisive goals for the 13/10 Rovers. Hartlepool were relegated after failing to get the win they needed against Port Vale to avoid the drop. Michael Cummins gave Vale the lead after 77 minutes but James Brown scored a 13/5 equaliser with four minutes remaining. Milton Keynes Dons were also relegated after they could only muster a goalless draw against Rotherham. The Dons needed a win while the Millers were content with a 5/2 draw.