4-1 to the One Man Team

Richard Carpenter scored direct from a 23rd-minute free-kick and

striker Wayne Gray, on loan from Wimbledon, doubled the lead on his debut as deputy for Bobby (puny arms) Zamora. By the 29th minute it was 3-0 as Paul Brooker scored with a deflected shot from an acute angle.

Colchester scored a consolation, disputed as offside through Mick Stockwell in the 83rd minute .



Deep into the third minute of Injury time a back pass gave the Albion an Indirect Free-Kick, which Carpenter blasted straight at Goal, the ref adjudged that it came off someone's shoulder. Carpenter named as the scorer of a goal direct from an Indirect Free-Kick.

With Reading drawing 3-3 at Bristol City the Albion move onto the same points as the leaders, but with an inferior Goal Difference. Brentford won again to stay 2 points behind the top two.

With only 2 automatic promotion places, these 3 are the only teams realistically in with a chance of the Championship and the second promotion place.

It could go all the way to the final day of the Season. While we play at Vale Park, Reading and Brentford meet in West London.