Sport in Short: Football

AFTER agreeing to join Partick Thistle, Frank McAvennie, the former West Ham and Scotland striker, has angered the Firhill club by returning to Celtic. McAvennie had agreed to a short-term move to Thistle on Wednesday and posed for photographs in a Partick strip, but he changed his mind when told about Celtic's interest. The 33-year-old spent two years, 1987-89, at Parkhead in between his two spells at West Ham. 'We have been cheated and the fans have been cheated,' John Lambie, the Partick manager, said.

LES SEALEY, the 35-year-old Aston Villa goalkeeper, is expected to rejoin Manchester United on a free transfer next week. Sealey, who won FA Cup and European Cup-Winners' Cup medals during his first spell with United, completes a three-month spell on loan with Birmingham City today.

DONCASTER ROVERS have been served with a winding-up petition by the Inland Revenue because of an unpaid tax bill from last season. A High Court hearing has been set for 27 January. The club have called a special shareholders' meeting for Monday to vote on a proposal to increase share capital. It could raise up to pounds 150,000.

TRANSFERS: Sam McGivern, midfielder, Falkirk to Ayr, exchange. Greg Shaw, striker, Ayr to Falkirk.

LOANS: Iain Jenkins, defender, Everton to Bradford City. Dean Martin, striker, West Ham to Colchester. Warren Donald, defender, Colchester to Kettering.

PORTUGUESE LEAGUE: Pacos de Ferreira 0 Sporting Lisbon 3.

SMIRNOFF IRISH LEAGUE: Ards 2 Carrick Rangers 0; Crusaders 1 Ballyclare Comrades 1; Distillery 2 Cliftonville 1; Glenavon 0 Portadown 3; Larne 4 Omagh 2; Linfield 2 Coleraine 0; Newry 1 Glentoran 1; Ballymena 0 Bangor 1. Leading positions: 1 Bangor (P 16, Pts 35); 2 Crusaders (16-35); 3 Linfield (16-34); 4 Portadown (16-32); 5 Distillery (16-31).

HFS LOANS LEAGUE Premier Division: Hyde United 4 Mossley 2. Other match postponed.

BEAZER HOMES LEAGUE Premier Division: VS Rugby 2 Cambridge City 0; Weymouth 2 Waterlooville 1. Southern Division: Ashford 4 Fisher Athletic 0; Havant 0 Salisbury 2. Midland Division: Hinckley Town 1 Leicester United 2. Other matches postponed.

GREAT MILLS LEAGUE Premier Division: Bideford 0 Exmouth 0; Chippenham 2 Frome 2; Mangotsfield 2 Bristol Manor Farm 2; Saltash 2 Torrington 2. Other match postponed.