Pompey supporters at Fratton Park demanded the sacking of Portsmouth manager Terry Fenwick as the side lost 1-0 to Ipswich. A 3-1 home defeat by Barnsley, Neil Redfearn netted twice, consigned the Hatters to the Second Division. But further down the M1, Watford continue to offer stiff resistance to the drop. Their 2-1 win at Norwich, David Connolly scoring his eighth goal in five games, maintained the pressure on the teams above; only Oldham picked up a point after their 1-1 draw at Southend.
Rampant in the first period, the Wearsiders lost control in the second half and Albion almost stole the show Play-off hopefuls Stoke, Charlton and Leicester all won. The only other First Division issue settled yesterday was termination of Luton’s membership. In a game devoid of subtlety, the Pars probably deserved their win for that very passion – if nothing else.. Despite being held to a second successive goalless draw, Sunderland clinched the Endsleigh First Division championship with the point from their meeting with West Brom at Roker Park.
His two headers that grazed the crossbar will undoubtedly be given as examples of United’s bad luck. Dunfermline’s own brand of misfortune reared its head in the 64th minute when the goal- scorer, Petrie, was sent off for going through the ball and Maurice Malpas. Dunfermline concentrated their defence and United were restricted to efforts from outside the box. Owen Coyle, Craig Brewster, Gary McSwegan and Brian Welsh all had opportunities but Dunfermline’s keeper, Ian Westwater, was never in genuine trouble in the first half.Christian Dailly replaced McSwegan in attack for the second half as United resorted to an aerial approach. There have always been questions over Maxwell and his inability to come off his line Thereafter the pattern was set. A win yesterday would have secured the title, but as it stands they are unsure of a play-off place.The goal came after only eight minutes when Stewart Petrie skipped between United’s goalkeeper, Ally Maxwell, and Grant Johnson to find the net, flicking on an Alan Moore header.