Football: Venus has another spot of bother

IPSWICH TOWN moved up to fourth place in the Nationwide First Division last night despite a disappointing goalless draw at home to Tranmere Rovers. They dominated but for the second match in succession Mark Venus missed a penalty.

Venus struck his shot over the bar during the 2-2 draw at Blackburn on Saturday, but last night his 22nd-minute spot-kick, after David Johnson was fouled by Steve Yates, was saved well by the Rovers goalkeeper, Joe Murphy, diving to his right.

Richard Wright, available for Town after England's Under-21 play-off against Yugoslavia was called off, was rarely threatened in the home goal and Ipswich's manager, George Burley, could not hide his frustration at dropping two points.

"If the penalty had gone in it would have opened up the game which would have suited us," he said. "We needed to break them down but were unable to do so. We were the team which wanted to play."

His opposite number, John Aldridge, also thought his side could have won and made no apology for using largely negative tactics. "We respect Ipswich and had to stop them playing before we could make any moves forward. Things went according to plan," he said.

Swindon Town's manager Jimmy Quinn, included himself in the squad to face Norwich City even though he is only five days short of his 40th birthday. Quinn hit the bar after coming off the bench with seven minutes remaining, but the presence of the veteran striker failed to inspire his side to break the stalemate in another goalless draw. However, a point against Bruce Rioch's in-form side was a useful result for the division's bottom club.

In the remaining First Division game at Bescot Stadium, Walsall and Port Vale also failed to find the net.

Unbeaten Wigan Athletic move back to the top of the Second Division after they came from behind to beat Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 and the previous leaders, Notts County, lost 2-0 at Preston North End.

Jermaine McSporran gave Wycombe the lead at the JJB Stadium but Stuart Barlow equalised before the break and Stuart Balmer hit the winner just after the hour mark. A first-half double from Jon Macken saw Preston move into second place.

Lloyd Owusu scored twice as Brentford beat Scunthorpe United 4-3 to move up to fourth place, and Robert Taylor, a transfer target for Manchester City, did likewise in Gillingham's 4-1 hammering of Bournemouth.

The Third Division leaders, Peterborough United, were held 1-1 at Carlisle United, while third-placed Rotherham United suffered a shock, losing 1-0 at home to the bottom club, Leyton Orient.