AMERICAN FOOTBALL: Foster fires Pittsburgh

Neil O'Donnell threw two touchdown passes and Barry Foster rushed for 133 yards, leading Pittsburgh to a 29-9 victory over the Cleveland Browns in yesterday's NFL play-off game. The victory, Pittsburgh's third over their biggest rivals this seaso n, makes the Steelers hosts for a Super Bowl semi-final on 15 January against the winner of today's play-off game between Miami and San Diego. Cleveland struggled with dropped passes and interceptions throughout the first half under constant pressure fro m Pittsburgh's talented defense and the Steelers led 24-3 at the break. Pittsburgh kept the ball through most of the second half, frustrating Cleveland's offense. Keith McCardell caught a 41-yard touchdown pass for the Browns, but it was too little and t oo late. Pittsburgh's Foster gained 99 yards on 16 first-half carries, sparking a march to a 39-yard Anderson field goal and two touchdown drives. The two clubs, arch-foes located only 125 km apart, had never before met in a play-off game during their 45

-year rivalry. Scuffles between players broke out several times in the second half but no one was ejected.