Football: Robins fly back to the First Division

BRISTOL CITY were promoted back to the First Division yesterday without kicking a ball in anger after Grimsby, who needed to win to keep in touch with the runaway Second Division leaders, could only draw 1-1 at Wycombe Wanderers.

Jack Lester's last-minute equaliser earned the Mariners a point, but they needed three to keep the Robins waiting until today's game at Chesterfield. Keith Scott had given Wycombe a 17th-minute lead and they looked destined for all three points until Lester levelled.

City's neighbours, Bristol Rovers, also had reasons to celebrate with their 5-0 home rout of Wigan, which moved them to within three points of the play-off places. Peter Beadle netted a hat-trick in an 11-minute spell either side of half time.

Lower division clubs with small playing staffs who sometimes struggle to field just 11 men will smile wryly at Gianluca Vialli's demand that the Premier League allow two extra substitutes on the bench.

"I honestly believe we should have seven subs in the Premier League, the same as in European matches and in Italy," the Chelsea player-manager said. "That way I can involve more players in important games and give youngsters the chance to learn some experience by being on the bench.

"I have 26 top players at Chelsea but only 11 can play in a game and only three can be used as substitutes."

"I am not asking for more than three substitutes to be allowed to play but having more to choose from gives managers more opportunity to change the course of a game. I think it is important and would also make things more interesting."

France's Patrick Valery, Anders Andersson of Sweden and Norwegian Tore Pedersen are expected to ask to be allowed to leave Blackburn.

"You can't keep people happy that don't play regularly in the first team," Roy Hodgson, the Blackburn manager, said. "When they knock on my door and say `Look I like it here but I'm not getting a regular game and I have to go', you have to accept that."