Kenton boosts Canaries

Norwich City capitalised on Millwall's 3-2 defeat at Sheffield United to move into play-off contention with a spirited 2-1 home win over Gillingham.

The Canaries produced a stirring second-half fightback after trailing at half-time to a 17th-minute strike from Iffy Onuora and at times being out-played by Andy Hessenthaler's side. Clint Easton put City back on level terms 10 minutes after the restart and after Gillingham's Paul Shaw thumped yet another long-range effort against the woodwork, Darren Kenton clipped home the Norwich winner.

Norwich were rewarded for their early second-half pressure when David Nielsen got free on the right and his cross was swept home right-footed by Easton from close range.

Then Shaw hit the woodwork, but the Canaries maintained their momentum and took the lead 10 minutes later. Steen Nedergaard crossed from the right and Kenton provided the finish, guiding the ball right-footed into the bottom corner.

Kenton's goal came as mighty relief for Phil Mulryne, who has a penalty saved three minutes before the interval. In Friday's home defeat by Birmingham, Gary Holt had also missed from the spot.

In the Second Division, Blackpool, with an eye on the LDV Vans Trophy final on Sunday, handed Brentford three points by surrendering 3-1. Blackpool's manager, Steve McMahon, made nine changes from the side which had beaten Port Vale 4-0 at the weekend and it showed.

Martin Rowlands opened the scoring for the Bees before Lloyd Owusu netted his 19th and 20th goals of the season. The substitute Scott Taylor grabbed a late consolation for the home side.

Leon McKenzie score the first hat-trick of his Peterborough career as Posh thrashed Tranmere 5-0.