Northampton Town took the points as they came from behind to beat Bristol Rovers 2-1 at Sixfields.
The visitors had scored first through Scott Sinclair in the opening minute of the second half, but Dara Costelloe’s equaliser was followed by a strike from substitute Nesta Guinness-Walker to win the day for Kevin Nolan’s side.
The three points lifts Northampton to 17th position in the League One table, jumping above Rovers in the table and seeing the Cobblers hold a 4 point lead on the relegation zone.
Both sides went close early on, with Nik Tzanev denying Rovers’ Ruel Sotiriou before Costelloe and Hoskins had strikes blocked.
Few chances were created as the opening half wore on, although the best chances came for the hosts, as Cameron McGeehan’s strike was deflected wide before Jed Ward made a flying stop to keep out Mitch Pinnock.
The two sides duly entered the half-time break on level terms, but they wouldn’t stay that way for long after the break as Bristol Rovers opened the scoring in the opening minute of the second half.
Isaac Hutchinson’s pass released Sinclair, and the former Chelsea, Manchester City & Celtic man duly advanced before beating Tzanev with a strike that went in off a post.
Sinclair was denied by Tzanev shortly after that as the visitors chased the comfort of a second goal.
But the game’s second goal would end up being a Northampton equaliser. Terry Taylor’s free-kick was kept alive by Max Dyche and the ball fell for Costelloe, who was able to head home his first Cobblers goal.
Seventeen minutes later, the Cobblers completed the turnaround. Guinness-Walker had only just come on off the bench when the full-back was picked out by McGeehan and volleyed home.
The hosts were able to keep Bristol Rovers at arms length for the rest of the contest, grinding out the three points and with it a third win in four outings.
Northampton will be chasing back-to-back wins on Tuesday, as they welcome Barnsley.
MK Dons suffered a tenth defeat in 15 outings after they were beaten 2-0 by former boss Graham Alexander’s Bradford City.
A goal in each half by the Bantams’ Antoni Sarcevic decided the game in the home side’s favour, as Bradford recorded a ninth straight home win and maintained their promotion push.
Any hopes the Dons have of making the play-offs are hanging by a thread, meanwhile, with Scott Lindsey’s side falling to 17th position in the table. They are equidistant from the play-offs and relegation zone in League Two, with the Dons 13 points from either extreme with 14 games to go.
Facing off against a side that beat the Dons at Stadium MK on the opening day of the season, an early opportunity came MK Dons’ way as Danilo Orsi had a header blocked.
But the high-flying hosts wouldn’t take long to open their account, as they went ahead after ten minutes. The ball fell kindly for Sarcevic, who evaded Luke Offord and Nico Lawrence before advancing to the goal and firing beyond Connal Trueman.
Bradford duly carried on their attacking momentum, with Lawrence and Travis Patterson having to clear efforts off the line and Trueman denying Tayo Adaramola.
Both sides had penalty appeals waved away during the first half, before Bradford missed further chances after the restart as the home side looked to find their way to grabbing a second goal.
After missing a few opportunities, Bradford made it 2-0 on the hour as Sarcevic was released by substitute Bobby Pointon and he was duly able to lash the strike beyond Trueman.
The visitors’ best chance to get a goal back saw Orsi denied by Sam Walker, but there was no way back for the Dons as they continue their miserable start to 2025.
MK Dons will be chasing just a third win of the new year next Saturday, when they begin March by hosting Colchester United.
Music stars Sam Fender, Raye, Fatboy Slim and Becky Hill have been announced as performers at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
The organisers of the race announced the all-British quartet of performers as their F1 Headliners group for 2025, as the circuit continues to add musical performers alongside the car race. Further acts are expected to be announced closer to the dates of the race.
Ticket holders to each of the four nights will get to see the performers without paying extra.
The opening headliner on Thursday July 3rd will be rising British rock star Sam Fender, who is also scheduled to play the London Olympic Stadium and three nights at the Newcastle United stadium during this summer. The Brit-award singer/songwriter will perform as part of the tour for his new album People Watching.
RAYE will then perform on Friday July 4th, with the chart-topping award-winning artist treating the crowd to a performance of her soul, R&B, jazz and dance inspired pop.
Dance music star Fatboy Slim will then perform a set on Saturday July 5th. The acclaimed dance DJ will be treating the crowds to renditions of many of his hits, such as Praise You, Right Here, Right Now, Weapone of Choice and Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat.
Becky Hill will be performing in the slot directly after the British Grand Prix race itself on Sunday July 6th, with the pop and D&B star to take to the stage as part of the tour for her latest album Believe Me Now?. The performance at the British Grand Prix will be Hill’s latest performance at a sporting event, having previously played sets at the final of the Women’s European football championships and at the Commonwealth Games.
In a statement, Silverstone’s Chief Commercial Officer, Nick Read, said, “Over the past few years we have established Silverstone as a world-class venue that attracts the biggest and best artists to deliver unforgettable experiences, and it’s an honour to continue that as we announce Sam Fender, RAYE, Fatboy Slim, and Becky Hill as our stellar all-British headliners for the 2025 Formula 1 British Grand Prix.
“Following the incredible success of last year’s music offering, we knew we had to raise the bar again—and we’re thrilled to be delivering a line-up packed with homegrown talent at the very top of their game.”
Fashion retailer Quiz will be closing their branch at the centre:mk in Milton Keynes after entering administration.
The Milton Keynes store is one of 23 branches across the UK and Ireland that Quiz will be closing down after the parent company fell into administration in January, with the shop closing with immediate effect.
A rescue deal will see 43 branches saved, but the Milton Keynes branch failed to meet the cut. It’s been reported that around 200 people have lost their jobs as a result of the closures.
Quiz’s administrators Teneo have said that they will communicate with staff and government regulators as to next steps.
In a statement, Teneo’s joint administrator Gavin Maher said, “Although the sale has resulted in the transfer of a number of jobs, it has been necessary to make redundancies. We appreciate that this is a difficult and uncertain time for all involved and are communicating appropriately with all employees, customers and stakeholders.”
Luton Town played out a 1-1 draw with fellow relegation strugglers Plymouth Argyle, in a result that keeps the Hatters bottom.
Jacob Brown had given Luton the lead less than 30 seconds after coming on as a substitute, but an equaliser from Maksym Talovierov gave Argyle a share of the points.
A win would’ve seen Luton leapfrog Plymouth and Derby in the Championship table, but the draw keeps them stuck to bottom spot in the table, with the Hatters still yet to win a match in 2025.
Luton had the night’s first major opportunity as Lasse Nordas, who was making his first start for the club, headed over from Alfie Doughty’s cross.
This was one of the few opportunities in a tight first half, but Plymouth felt aggrieved just after the half-hour when something didn’t go in their favour.
Just after the half hour mark, a lofted through pass released Callum Wright in-between two Luton defenders, and he was able to poke the ball beyond Thomas Kaminski after the keeper had strayed forward. But the assistant flagged for offside, something later revealed to be an incorrect call by TV cameras.
Nordas saw a firm strike denied by Conor Hazard moments later, although had the Hatters striker beaten the keeper, it would’ve also been called for offside.
Elijah Adebayo would blaze over the bar when well placed in an opportunity for the home side, but moments after the striker was taken off, Luton found themselves in front.
Adebayo’s replacement Brown had only just come on when he was in place to meet Nordas’ flick on from Alfie Doughty’s cross, and Brown duly got in ahead of Hazard to bundle the ball over the line.
The hosts however wouldn’t be able to build on their advantage, and within 15 minutes, Plymouth scored an equaliser.
With the Hatters down to ten due to Mark McGuinness needing treatment, Plymouth created an opportunity as Kornel Szucs picked out Talovierov, who duly beat Kaminski.
Luton did have a few chances, with Brown denied by Hazard before Shandon Baptiste had to be denied by Hazard.
But neither side could find a way through in the final stages of the contest, despite nine minutes of stoppage time, as Luton made it 10 Championship games in a row without a win. They face a big test in their hopes of ending that streak on Sunday, when they play local rivals Watford at Vicarage Road.
