Swans lead cut to five points

Football League round-up

Henry and Vieira pull out

Scotland squad depleted

Scots to face Northern Ireland

Coventry to release eight  

Swansea City’s lead at the top of League One has been cut to five points after Bristol Rovers held the South Wales’ side to a 2-2 draw at the Liberty Stadium. Ricky Lambert and Craig Disley put the Pirates in control at the break but a second-half brace from Jason Scotland salvaged a point for the home side. Carlisle United are second after a 14th successive home victory. On this occasion they beat Northampton Town 2-0. Third placed Doncaster Rovers were held to a 1-1 draw by Oldham Athletic at the Keepmoat Stadium while Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion cancelled each other out at the City Ground.

Milton Keynes Dons and Peterborough United remain level on points at the top of League Two after both winning. Substitute Mark Wright scored the only goal of the game as MK Dons won on the road at Accrington Stanley while Peterborough made home advantage count as they ground out a 1-0 win over Chester City at London Road. Chester’s Tony Dinning was sent off two minutes from time for a second bookable offence after he clashed with goalscorer Dean Keates. Third-placed Hereford United slumped to a 1-2 defeat against 10-man Lincoln City at Sincil Bank. Darlington are now only one point behind the Bulls in fourth place after they came from behind to salvage a 2-2 home draw with Morecambe. The Two clubs in the relegation zone - Wrexham and Mansfield Town - are both tied on 33 points and stranded seven points from safety after another afternoon without winning. Wrexham and Dagenham & Redbridge played out a goalless draw at the Racecourse and Bury beat Mansfield 2-0 at Gigg Lane. 

Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira have pulled out of the France squad to face England on Wednesday.

The Scotland squad to face Croatia on Wednesday had been decimated after Rangers quartet Barry Ferguson (ankle), Lee McCulloch (thigh), Allan McGregor (unknown) and Christian Dailly (broken toe) all pulled out of the Hampden friendly. Celtic’s Barry Robson and Derby County’s Stephen Pearson have also withdrawn. Cardiff City’s Gavin Rae has been brought in to replace injured Birmingham City striker James McFadden. Due to Barry Ferguson’s absence Celtic’s Stephen McManus will captain the side.  

Scotland and Northern Ireland will meet in a friendly match at Hampden Park on August 20.

Coventry City will release eight out-of-contract players at the end of the season. Arjan de Zeeuw, Michael Hughes, Colin Hawkins, Stuart Giddings, Ellery Cairo, Wayne Andrews, Lee Hildreth and Liam Davis will all leave the Ricoh Arena but Marcus Hall, Stephen Hughes, Danny Ireland and Andy Marshall will all be offered new deals. 

Nathan Davies