20th February 2000     

Robins beaten!!

Andy Ritchie must have emphasised how important it was for his side to try and grab that second goal, and just six minutes after half time they visitors got it. The goal came from Steve Whitehall. MIdfielder Paul Rickers burst into the Welshmen's penalty area and his square ball to Whitehall was perfect, leaving the veteran striker with the simplest of tap in finishes. The second strike seemed to knock the stuffing out of the home team, although Carl Connolly nearly brought Wrexham back into the game, but his delicate header came back of the post. The Latics seemingly wrapped up the three points when young striker Craig Dudley kept his composure after taking the ball past a handful of defenders to slot the ball past the despairing Kevin Dearden, to make it 3-0 to the visitors. The third goal was the final straw for the home fans, with a number of them making their feelings known to the Wrexham boss Brian Flynn before leaving the Racecourse ground early. The third goal was the last real action of the game, as the Wrexham players heads dropped. Oldham were more than deserving of the 3-0 victory, and Andy Ritchie will have been more than happy with the three points as the Latics climb up the league into midtable security.

Wright, who has netted on his first appearance with his previous five clubs, had his chances.

But Wigan, who started with leading scorers Stuart Barlow and Simon Haworth on the bench, maintained their unbeaten away record as Burnley failed to win at home for the first time in nine starts.

Preston stayed on top of the table on goal difference after Bury, with only one win in seven previous visits to Deepdale, escaped with a 1-1 draw.

Jon Macken netted his 19th in the league after 17 minutes but Lutel James earned the Shakers a point four minutes before half time.

Bristol Rovers pulled off their ninth away win of the season with a 4-1 triumph over Luton who scored first through Phil Gray after 13 minutes.

The dynamic duo of Jason Roberts and Jamie Cureton gave the Pirates the lead by the break.

Cureton netted his 17th of the season after 58 minutes and Roberts' 19th put the icing on the cake just before the end.

Millwall got a shock when Bournemouth, winners on their previous three visits, went in front through John O'Shea, on loan from Manchester United, after three minutes.

But Richard Sadlier, after 13 and 76 minutes, put the Lions back on the trail and Paul Ifill made it 3-1 in the dying moments.

Oxford, with four consecutive home defeats plunging them deep into trouble, breathed a sigh of relief after a 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Chesterfield.

Former Wimbledon striker Peter Fear opened the scoring after 10 minutes, Ryan Williams levelled for Chesterfield after 59 minutes and Derek Lilley bagged the winner a minute from time.

The Cambridge revival came to an end as Blackpool won away from home for the third game on the trot.

Goals from Clarke Carlisle after 36 minutes and Mike Newell with an eight-yard header ensured a 2-0 triumph in the Seasiders' third visit to the Abbey Stadium

Bristol City squandered a two-goal lead over Notts County but escaped with their unbeaten home record intact.

An own goal from Richard Holmes and Tony Thorpe's seventh of the season two minutes before the interval gave them the advantage but Richard Liburd and Andy Hughes, with a 77th-minute penalty, made it 2-2.

It was the 12th draw out of 15 games at Ashton Gate, a good result for County who had Duane Darby sent off for serious foul play in the second half.

Brentford's 0-0 draw with Wycombe was a pretty uninspired affair, the fifth visit to Griffin Park for the Wanderers and still no win .

Colchester's 1-0 win over Stoke was their first victory over City in four starts and Steve McGavin's 87th-minute goal ensured a fourth away defeat on the trot.

Scunthorpe, now five games without a win, threw away a two-goal lead against Reading who levelled at 2-2 to make it five without defeat and maintain their revival.

Steve Torpey and Brian Quailey netted for the Iron, a Darren Caskey penalty and John McIntyre's 56th-minute penalty bringing a share of the points.

Wrexham dropped deeper into the mire as Oldham pulled off a simple 3-0 win at The Racecourse with goals from Richard Graham, Steve Whitehall and Craig Dudley.