Football Shorts

After putting Town ahead on 15 minutes, Novak had only been able to watch in horror as, first, his one-time striker partner Rhodes equalised and then a generously awarded penalty was converted by Danny Murphy.

But then, right at the death and with almost the last kick of an entertaining War of the Roses clash, the Town striker again finished from close range to ensure it was honours even.

It was by no means a classic finish with Novak’s persistence ensuring the ball was bundled over the line after Rovers had failed to deal with Adam Clayton’s chipped pass.

Leeds succumbed to another disappointing defeat last night, as Charlie Austin headed his 20th goal of the season late in the game to seal a second successive npower Championship win for Burnley’s new manager, Sean Dyche.

Former Swindon striker Austin, who has scored in all but three of his 17 appearances for Burnley this season, broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute when he headed home defender Kieran Trippier’s cross.

Dyche, installed as Eddie Howe’s successor at Turf Moor last week, saw his new side canter to victory over Wolves at the weekend and inspired them to a fourth win in their last five league games thanks to the prolific Austin.

Burnley leapfrogged the visitors into 10th place in the table, while Leeds, without a win in their last five league matches, have slipped into the bottom half of the table.

Bradford City desperately missed target-man James Hanson as they limped towards a 0-0 bore-draw at home to Chesterfield last night.

The striker was ill with a virus in a match that he would have relished, with a number of long balls and crosses into the Chesterfield penalty area going unmet, with regular strike partner Nahki Wells enduring a tough night without his big buddy to take the pressure off.

Chesterfield came to frustrate City and, despite not posessing any stand-out players, impressed with their up-and-at-them style, strangling thh Bantams’ midfield and not giving them any time on the ball.

The closest City came was in the first half through returning captain Gary Jones, who showed the fans what they had been missing when his 25-yard free-kick was palmed away by Chesterfield stopper Richard O’Donnell.

Despite Chesterfield’s ultra-defensive style, Jones and Doyle controlled the midfield area, but could not find the killer pass through the blue wall of players.

A clear foul on Nahki Wells in the penalty area early in the second half was left unpunished by referee Stuart Atwell, as was a similar one on the lively Zavon Hines later in the game.

Defender John Egan made his debut for the Bantams, and looked impressive, despite having little to do.

The result leaves Bradford in 5th and still in reaching-distance of the automatic spots.

Elsewhere, charismatic manager Ian Holloway could hardly have wished for a better start to his new job as Crystal Palace boss as a Glenn Murray hat-trick helped the Eagles soar to the top of the Championship with a 5-0 thrashing of strugglers Ipswich.