This week had a significant match played on every weekday. First played second in both the Championship and League One, whilst League Two had a huge clash between two sides fighting for survival.
Championship
Due to 5 Championship teams participating in the FA Cup 5th round this weekend, we had a reduced schedule. Preston North End progressed to the quarterfinals after their 3-0 victory over Lancashire rivals Burnley, but Millwall, Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle all lost to Premier League opposition and were knocked out.
League leaders Leeds United once again started the week, this time with a crucial trip to second place Sheffield United. The Blades opened the scoring after an Ilian Meslier own goal, but Leeds mounted a comeback as goals from Ao Tanaka and Joel Piroe in the 89th and 90th minute saw them win 3-1.
The Championship had a limited midweek schedule. Middlesbrough won 3-1 at Stoke City to end a run of 5 straight defeats. Stoke’s relegation rivals Cardiff City beat Hull City in a result which lifts the Bluebirds above their opponents and further clear of the relegation battle, as they went 6 points clear of 22nd place Plymouth.
Sunderland started the weekends matches with a 2-1 win at playoff chasing Sheffield Wednesday. That result meant Wednesday lost ground on their rivals, as Coventry City won 3-2 at Oxford United to send themselves into 5th. Blackburn Rovers scored a 95th minute equaliser to draw 1-1 with Norwich City, whilst West Brom held Leeds to a 1-1 draw. Middlesbrough won for the second time this week, this time 1-0 against Derby County, to restore their hopes in the fight to finish in the top 6.
In the automatic promotion race, Sheffield United responded and kept themselves within striking distance of top spot with a 2-1 win at QPR. After their win and Leeds’ draw, it means Leeds end the week top, 3 points clear of the Blades, with both teams having 11 matches to play.
Luton Town moved themselves off 24th place by beating Portsmouth 1-0 for their first win of 2025, sending Derby to the foot of the table. Stoke managed to grind out a 0-0 draw against Watford to lift them further clear of the relegation zone, although many of the sides around them have games in hand as they haven’t played this weekend.
League One
In League One, leaders Birmingham City started the week with a 2-0 victory over playoff chasing Leyton Orient to cement their lead at the top of table. Wigan Athletic condemned 5th place Huddersfield Town to a second consecutive defeat with a 2-1 victory, whilst Barnsley closed the gap to the playoffs to 4 points by beating Northampton Town 2-1.
The weekend began with Birmingham beating 10 man Wycombe 1-0, thanks to a Taylor Gardner-Hickman goal. This gave them a 12 point lead over second place Wanderers, and the Blues have a game in hand on the chasing pack. Wycombe dropping points meant Wrexham’s 0-0 draw with Bolton Wanderers was enough to see the Red Dragons move to within 2 points of the automatic promotion spots.
Stockport County, Huddersfield Town and Charlton Athletic all solidified their playoff credentials with 2-1 wins against Blackpool, Stevenage and Leyton Orient respectively, allowing them to gain ground on sides who dropped points like Orient and Bolton.
Barnsley held on against Lincoln City to win 4-3, whilst Reading scored late to defeat Wigan Athletic 2-1. Wigan then parted company with manager Shaun Maloney, as the Latics find themselves in 15th with 1 win in their last 7.
At the bottom of the table, Peterborough United secured a valuable 3 points by beating bottom of the table Shrewsbury Town, who had striker John Marquiss sent off after 13 seconds, 3-1. Cambridge United beat Crawley Town 2-0 in a clash between two sides firmly entrenched in the relegation zone, whilst Burton Albion secured a 1-1 draw against Mansfield Town side to edge themselves closer to safety.
Bristol Rovers lost 3-2 against Rotherham to leave them just safe outside the bottom 4, whilst Exeter City and Northampton played out a 1-1 draw, leaving them 3 and 4 points above the relegation zone respectively.
League Two
Leaders Walsall were denied dramatically in midweek, as 90th and 93rd minute goals from Cheltenham Town saw them snatch a 2-2 draw. Bradford City secured a vital win against Bromley to move themselves up into second.
In a mid-table clash, Fleetwood Town won 2-1 at Gillingham, whilst Accrington Stanley won a huge game at the bottom of the table against Tranmere Rovers. The 1-0 win left Stanley 7 points clear of relegation danger, and caused the departure of Tranmere manager Nigel Adkins as Rovers were only 2 points above Morecambe heading into the weekend’s fixtures.
The pressure at the bottom of the table was compounded as Mark Hughes earned his first victory as Carlisle United manager by beating northern rivals Barrow 1-0. That result moved Carlisle level on points with Morecambe and in striking distance of safety.
Saturday’s fixtures started with Bradford's Michael Mellon scoring a 94th minute winner to beat Salford City 2-1 and continue their promotion charge. Fellow promotion contender Doncaster Rovers also won, beating Newport County 3-0.
Their promotion rivals Port Vale drew 1-1 at Tranmere and Alassana Jatta scored a last minute equaliser to see Notts County draw 2-2 against Fleetwood. Those results mean AFC Wimbledon, who lost 1-0 against Bromley, lost ground in the automatic promotion race.
Crewe Alexandra beat Chesterfield Town 3-1 to solidify their playoff push, as Grimsby Town fell further behind them with a 1-1 draw with Cheltenham Town.
Ian Holloway’s resurgent Swindon Town side beat league leaders Walsall 1-0 in a result that sees The Saddlers' advantage at the top of League Two shrink to only 4 points, whilst an 87th minute goal was enough to see Colchester United beat MK Dons 1-0. That defeat caused MK to sack manager Scott Lindsay after their miserable run of losing 11 of their last 16 matches.
In the relegation battle, Morecambe lost 1-0 at Gillingham thanks to an 80th minute winner, whilst Harrogate Town secured a vital win against rivals Accrington Stanley to lift themselves further away from danger.
EFL Trophy
Peterborough United secured their spot in a second consecutive EFL Trophy final after defeating Wrexham on penalties.
The Posh won the trophy last season by defeating Wycombe 2-1 at Wembley, and will get the chance to defend their title against Birmingham City.
Peterborough are in the relegation battle of League One, but came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in normal time thanks to a Bradley Ihionvien goal in the 91st minute. Hector Kyprianou then scored the winning penalty in the shootout to ensure his side progressed to the showpiece.
