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Loan watch: Trotters up to second as Ameobi departs
Written by Rory Mitchinson
Sammy Ameobi helped high-flying Bolton Wanderers to four points from a possible six over the Bank Holiday weekend before his loan spell at the Macron Stadium came to a close.
The 24-year-old was present throughout as the Trotters struck late to see off promotion rivals Scunthorpe United on Saturday, before snatching a last-gasp point at struggling Coventry City yesterday.
Ameobi came face-to-face with fellow United loanee Jamie Sterry at the Ricoh Arena, the Sky Blues remaining firmly in the relegation dogfight after shipping another injury-time leveller.
Two days prior, they had looked on course for a first victory under new manager Russell Slade, only for Peterborough United’s Michael Bostwick to net at the death at London Road.
Elsewhere in League One, Ivan Toney marked his penultimate appearance for Shrewsbury Town with a late consolation against Rochdale on Friday, the Shrews slipping to a 2-1 defeat at Spotland.
Paul Hurst’s troops were then beaten again yesterday, Devante Cole netting early to earn Fleetwood Town a 1-0 win at the Greenhous Meadow.
Haris Vuckic, meanwhile, was handed a start for Bradford City at Northampton Town 24 hours ago, only to be taken off at half time with the Bantams a goal down.
Stuart McCall’s side fought back to win 2-1 at Sixfields Stadium, having been held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Bury on Saturday – in which Vuckic appeared as a second half substitute.
In League Two, Alex Gilliead was on the scoresheet as Luton Town saw off Barnet at Kenilworth Road on Saturday, briefly moving up to fifth in the standings.
However, the Hatters were beaten 1-0 at Portsmouth yesterday, with Gilliead taken off after 54 minutes at Fratton Park.
It was a mixed weekend for defender Macaulay Gillesphey, who racked up 90 minutes in both of Carlisle United’s outings.
The Cumbrians edged a five-goal thriller at Notts County on Saturday, only to slip to a shock 3-1 defeat to mid-table Grimsby Town 48 hours later.
In the Championship, Adam Armstrong entered the fray late on as Barnsley edged a tight affair at Nottingham Forest yesterday, Conor Hourihane netting the decisive goal at the City Ground after 88 minutes.
Armstrong was an unused substitute as the Tykes drew 2-2 at home to Birmingham City on Saturday, Paul Heckingbottom’s charges now within touching distance of a play-off spot.
Finally, in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, Paul Woolston’s Blyth Spartans began the New Year with a 3-2 win over Workington at Croft Park.
Blyth – beaten by the Reds in the play-off semi-finals last time out – trail league leaders Rushall Olympic by seven points, though they have four games in hand on the Pics.