Sunday's Division One Round-Up: Week 18

The Results

The Table

Although Grimsby began the weekend out of the bottom three they were always going to fall back in the relegation zone whatever happened at Oakwell. Barnsley have now found their form under new management and beat relegation rivals Walsall 4-1 to move above Grimsby in the table. Richard Sadlier did the Mariners a massive favour by scoring a late equaliser to deny Sheff Wed all three points against Millwall. Rotherham are gradually being sucked into the dogfight at the bottom after a gutsy display wasn't enough to earn any points at Bradford. Crewe and Wimbledon hauled themselves away from the danger zone with wins at Portsmouth and Stockport respectively. Crewe once more found a win when they really needed it. Gillingham have now found the safety of mid-table after it looked like they were going to be involved in a fight at the basement of the table.

Latest League Table

Division's Talent

Kevin Donovan (left) finally opened his account for his new club Barnsley in the Tykes' victory over Walsall. Since moving to Yorkshire in the summer, the Halifax-born winger has failed to find the back of the net, up until Saturday.

Kenny Lunt (right) was on the mark for Crewe in their vital win at Pompey. The young midfielder is a product of the Railwaymen's youth team and he scored against the Mariners two seasons ago.

Paul Peschisolido (left) is finding his feet at Sheff Utd and was involved in their winning goal at West Brom. After scoring his first for the Blades last weekend, he sprinted the length of the pitch only to his the post that set up Carl Asaba's goal.

Top Goalscorers

'The Goat' (left) as he is affectionately known as at Man City, scored is 23rd goal of the season at Palace. The Bermudan international keeps banging in the goals but they're not enough to lift his club into the top two.

Stern John (right) is also scoring freely at Notts Forest but his team are failing to get their season going. The Trinidad and Tobago international scored a brace against Gillingham but that was cancelled out by a brace from Gills' Shaw.

Robbie Blake (left) was another player to score a brace at the weekend as Bradford defeated local rivals Rotherham at Valley Parade. The striker also scored against Grimsby earlier in the season.

Town's Next Opponents

Walsall have hit poor form in time to face Grimsby next Saturday. The Saddlers find themselves second to bottom after it looked like they were adjusting to their tenure in Division One. The Midland's club have a respectable home record but it is away from home where they are struggling. This is a real six-pointer and could shape the rest of the season. Walsall have recently lost to Sheff Utd at home and Barnsley away, whereas the Mariners have put in a good account of themselves against two of the top teams in the division. This match could go either way, but for it to go Grimsby's way they have to take their chances when they come along and they'll also undoubtedly need a bit of luck.

Path for Grimsby

After the game at the Bescot Stadium next weekend, the Mariners then travel to Preston a week later. On Boxing Day Blundell Park welcomes the visit of Coventry, and on the 29th they face Portsmouth at home. On New Year's Day it's Barnsley away, and then the home tie with York in the FA Cup third round.

Full Fixture List.

Next Week

• Tuesday
  Birmingham - Crystal Palace
  Man City - Wolves

• Wednesday
  West Brom - Coventry

• Thurdsday
  Millwall - Portsmouth

• Friday
  Sheff Utd - Barnsley

• Saturday
  Burnley - Stockport
  Crewe - West Brom
  Gillingham - Sheff Wed
  Norwich - Coventry
  Rotherham - Preston
  Walsall - Grimsby
  Watford - Crystal Palace
  

• Sunday
  Man City - Bradford
  Wimbledon - Notts Forest
  Wolves - Birmingham