The big match of the day was at Brunton Park, where promotion hopefuls Carlisle United and Walsall met. Walsall hadn't lost for 17 matches before the meeting, but a Clayton Ince mistake meant that Richard Money's side weren't able to extend this run. Carlisle won 2-1 on a wet and cold afternoon at Brunton Park, which means that the Cumbrian's have now won nine home matches in a row, and now have the best home record in the division. Lee Holmes opened the scoring for the Saddlers in the first half after a mistake by Paul Arnison, but Marc Bridge-Wilkinson equalised from the spot after Paul Boertien had handled the midfielder's shot. Substitute David Graham scored his first goal since October with fifteen minutes remaining after Clayton Ince allowed a fairly tame header to slip under his body and into the net. This turned out to be the winning goal, and gave Carlisle a result that lifted them up to 3rd in League One. Walsall moved down one place to 5th, and are still very much in the promotion hunt just four points off second placed Doncaster, albeit having played a game more.
Doncaster remained in second place after recording a good 3-0 victory over Millwall at the New Den. Goals from Jason Price, James Coppinger and Paul Green gave Doncaster a deserved victory in a match that saw Rovers record 31 attempts on goal, compared to just four for Millwall. The home sides day was even worse, as keeper Rhys Evans picked up an injury and was substituted in the first half. The defeat leaves Millwall in 20th place after a goalless draw was fought out between Gillingham and Cheltenham at Priestfield. The result didn't do much good to either team's hopes of survival in League One, but it did mean that Cheltenham were able to move up to 19th and ahead of Millwall. Cheltenham are a point clear of safety, and Gillingham are now two points clear. Also at the bottom, Crewe were unable to pick up some much needed points at the Withdean Stadium, as Brighton & Hove Albion ran out 3-0 winners against Alexandra. Two first-half Glen Murray goals on his full debut for Brighton and a goal from defender Guy Butters, his first since 2005, in the first half were enough for Brighton, who may be outsiders for a play-off place, as this result moves them up to 12th place in the league. Crewe have now not won in six games in the league and remain in 21st place.
At the top, Swansea now have the longest unbeaten record in the league, going 13 matches without defeat, although they had to work hard for a victory on Saturday against an Oldham side with a strong away record. An own goal by Oldham's Gary McDonald had put the Swans ahead in the second half, but a penalty from Craig Davies ten minutes later saw the striker pick up his 11th goal of the season and gave Oldham hopes of picking up a point at the Liberty Stadium. However, their hopes were dashed by loan striker Febian Brandy, who scored his second goal for the Swans after coming off the bench less than ninety seconds earlier. The win keeps Swansea ten points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand over Doncaster as well. Swansea also overtook Leeds in points this weekend - the Welsh side would now be a point ahead of Leeds if they hadn't had the 15 point deduction from the FA. New manager Gary McAllister was unable to pick up a first win of the season as Leeds slipped out of the play-off positions with a 2-0 home defeat against Tranmere Rovers. Two second half goals from Jennison Myrie-Williams and Ian Moore on his debut gave Tranmere a victory, and Rovers have now climbed into the play-off positions after winning the last four games. They move into the play-offs at the expense of Leeds, who are now 8th, without a win in four and with two consecutive defeats. Leyton Orient also moved above Leeds after a home draw in the local derby match against Southend United. Lee Barnard and Peter Clarke had twice put Southend ahead in the match, but a penalty from lazy striker Adam Boyd and a late equaliser from long serving striker Jabo Ibehre rescued a point for Orient. A point means that both teams are still very much in the play-off mix.
At the bottom, Port Vale's misery continues, as despite leading 2-1 with ten minutes to go at Bristol Rovers, the Valiants were pegged back and slumped to a 3-2 defeat. Paul Harsley had put Vale ahead with a penalty, but Danny Coles equalised soon after for Rovers. Keith Lowe then put Port Vale ahead in the second half, but goals from Chris Lines and a controversial penalty from Rickie Lambert won the match for Bristol Rovers. That win means that Rovers are unbeaten in seven and are now 17th after climbing out of relegation trouble. Meanwhile, another pathetic showing from Luton saw us slip to a 4-0 defeat at Hartlepool. Enough about that, moving on to Bournemouth, who are showing plenty of spirit by beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 thanks to two goals from Sam Vokes, a result that moved Bournemouth to within a point of safety. Colin Calderwood's Forest side are now 4th in the league after that defeat.
In other results, a relatively dull match at Swindon saw the Robins extend their unbeaten run to nine matches despite dropping two points in the last minute. Blair Sturrock had put Swindon ahead early in the second half, but a late equaliser from Adebayo Akinfenwa on his Cobblers debut rescued a point for Northampton, a point which did little to help either team's play-off aspirations. At Huish Park, Yeovil were unable to pick up their first win of 2008 after slipping to a 2-0 defeat against Huddersfield Town. A first half penalty from Luke Beckett and a goal from Michael Collins gave the Terriers the points against Yeovil.
From a Luton point of view, if there is anything positive to be taken out of the day, then it is that very few teams around the bottom were unable to win and pick up vital points, although that is largely irrelevant if we cannot improve soon. A win is crucial in the next home game against Bournemouth.