Montgomery improves Blades' play-off hopes

Nick Montgomery snatched a late winner as 10-man Sheffield United gained ground on their First Division play-off rivals with victory at Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday night.

The Blades had lost their last four league games at Gresty Road and looked to have their work cut out again after Mike Whitlow was sent off in the first half.

The veteran defender was adjudged to have clipped the heels of Craig Hignett as he went through on goal and was shown a straight red card.

Dean Ashton missed a 63rd minute penalty for Crewe and Montgomery had the last word with his 85th-minute header.

Tim Cahill bagged a late winner as Millwall secured a 2-1 success over Rotherham United.

Millwall dominated at the New Den and looked on course for victory after Neil Harris struck in the 38th minute. Rotherham staged a late fightback and almost claimed a point after Michael Proctor converted a penalty in the last minute.

There was still time for a winner however and it was Cahill who claimed it to lift Millwall up to sixth.

Reading lost ground to the Lions as they needed a late leveller from James Harper to earn a 2-2 draw with Burnley at the Madejski Stadium.

Lloyd Owusu gave the Royals a 19th-minute lead but the Clarets hit back quickly through Ian Moore before David May swept them ahead after 67 minutes. That looked to be enough for the visitors until Harper fired home in injury time.

In the Second Division, Simon Ford headed a dramatic late winner as Grimsby claimed a 3-2 win over play-off chasing Luton at Blundell Park.

Steve Howard looked to have saved a point for the Hatters with his second goal 10 minutes from time.

Howard had given the visitors the lead but two from Phil Jevons, the second from the penalty spot, in the second-half turned the game on its head.

Port Vale ran out 4-1 winners at Colchester United.

Scott McGleish gave Colchester the lead from the penalty spot but the visitors quickly responded through Stephen Brooker and a Wayne Brown own goal before Michael Cummins and Mark Bridge-Wilkinson wrapped up the points.

Gary Mills scored the winner as Rushden & Diamonds beat Tranmere 2-1.

Alan Tate netted an 81st-minute winner as Swansea City overcame Leyton Orient 2-1 in the Third Division.

Matthew Hockley scored the only goal of the game as Torquay beat Scunthorpe 1-0 at Plainmoor.

Gareth Seddon's last-gasp equaliser denied struggling Southend victory as Bury snatched a 1-1 draw at home.