Sunderland ‘in a fantastic position’… Barnsley feeling the heat as Portsmouth up the pace

Sunderland goal-hero Charlie Wyke revelled in the late show against Rochdale as they matched Pompey’s win at Wycombe during a dramatic day in the League One promotion race.
Charlie Wyke scored an important goal for SunderlandCharlie Wyke scored an important goal for Sunderland
Charlie Wyke scored an important goal for Sunderland

Meanwhile, the pressure seems to be getting to Barnsley who lost 3-1 to Burton and saw their run of 20 league games without defeated ended.

It could well be shaping up to be a fight between Sunderland and Pompey for the second spot.

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The table shows the Black Cats now level with second-placed Barnsley with two games in hand.

It looked like being a frustrating afternoon for third-placed Sunderland but George Honeyman’s 89th-minute goal earned them a 2-1 victory over lowly Rochdale.

Ian Henderson opened the scoring for Dale in the 28th minute.

Charlie Wyke equalised 11 minutes after the break before Honeyman’s winner.

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Wyke likes what he sees when he looks at the table now and feels they must just continue to put the graft in.

He told the Sunderland Echo: ‘This is a massive result for us, the fans were unbelievable and pushed us forward.

‘I think we controlled the game. It just shows the lads’ spirit and the fight.

‘We are in a fantastic position now, we just need to keep working hard.’

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Jason Cummings scored four minutes from time to extend Luton’s unbeaten run in League One to 28 games.

It looked like the top team would lose for the first time in the league since October when Matty Virtue put Blackpool 2-1 ahead a minute after James Collins was sent off.

Collins had earlier scored the opening goal in only the sixth minute before Nya Kirby’s first senior goal drew the Tangerines level.

Cummings then proved the late hero for Luton only four minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Luton are now eight points clear of Barnsley.

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The Tykes were well beaten by Burton with three of the goals coming in the last 10 minutes.

Jamie Allen had given Burton an early lead and Liam Boyce looked to have sealed the points with an 81st-minute second but there was still time for Cauley Woodrow to score a penalty for Barnsley before Marcus Harness grabbed a third for the Brewers.

Play-off contenders Charlton, Doncaster and Peterborough all claimed victories.

Goals either side of half-time from Lyle Taylor and Niall Canavan’s own goal gave Charlton a 2-0 success over Plymouth, while Mallik Wilks netted 17 minutes from time to give Doncaster a 1-0 victory at bottom side Bradford.

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Posh were 2-0 winners over Gillingham thanks to a penalty from Marcus Maddison and Matt Godden's late second.

Scunthorpe were denied a big win at the bottom of the table after a late own goal from Adam Hammill cancelled out Kyle Wootton’s opener in a 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury, while there was late drama as Fleetwood drew 2-2 with Southend.

Ched Evans had cancelled out Harry Bunn’s opener and the striker then grabbed a second equaliser from the penalty spot in the 86th minute, four minutes after Luke Hyam had put Southend back in front.

Oxford were 3-1 winners against Walsall at the Bescot Stadium. Rob Dickie’s opener was quickly cancelled out by Andy Cook, and it looked like advantage Walsall when Marcus Browne was sent off eight minutes into first half injury-time.

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But Luke Garbutt put United ahead in the 63rd minute and Jerome Sinclair made sure of the points five minutes into stoppage time.

There was still time for Oxford’s Ahmed Kashi, who had been substituted, to be shown a second yellow card for running on the pitch to celebrate.

AFC Wimbledon and Accrington both remain in trouble after a 1-1 draw – Joe Pigott opened the scoring for the Dons but Jordan Clark equalised before half-time.