Striker Josh Magennis fired home his 10th goal of the season as Hull City ran out comfortable 5-0 winners at Wigan Athletic on Wednesday evening to move up into second in the table, a point behind League One leaders Lincoln City.
It was a first goal in seven matches for the 30-year-old who also chalked up his fifth assist of the campaign after setting up hat-trick hero Mallik Wilks just after the half-hour mark.
Elsewhere in League One, on-loan forward Paul Smyth scored the only goal of the game as Accrington Stanley claimed all three points against Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.
It was the former Linfield forward’s first goal since joining Stanley from QPR with manager John Coleman delighted with the player’s overall contribution against the Yorkshire outfit.
“Paul Smyth deserved his goal for the effort that he put into the game,” Coleman told the Accrington website. “But defensively he was magnificent as well tonight.
“That pace he has is a wonderful thing and it was that and his willingness to get into the area that got him the goal.”
Meanwhile in League Two former under-21 international Jamie Reid registered his fifth of the season as Mansfield Town lost 3-2 at home to Bolton Wanderers, while another former under-21 striker, Caolan Lavery, scored his first goal in 14 outings for Walsall
It was only Lavery’s fifth of the season for the Saddlers this term and he admitted after the game he wants to be the club’s first choice striker after only starting his first match since 14th November.
“I want to be the main striker for this team, I’ve always wanted that,” Lavery said. “I thought I finished last season quite well and now I want to push on. I want to score goals for this team.
“There are other strikers here though so I will have to stay on my toes and keep the shirt if I have it.”
In the Championship, Craig Cathcart made his first Watford start since the beginning of December as they defeated Preston North End 1-0 at home, while midfielder Corry Evans came on as a substitute for Blackburn Rovers in their 2-1 defeat at Barnsley after missing the last three months with injury.
Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock says the club will appeal Paddy McNair’s red-card after he was sent-off in the club’s 2-1 win over Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.
The 25-year-old received a straight red with nine minutes remaining but, while his studs were raised as he challenged Huddersfield midfielder Juninho Bacuna close to the edge of the area, he appeared to win the ball.
“We'll definitely appeal it tomorrow morning,” declared Warnock. “Paddy is distraught. He said, 'Gaffer – there's no way it was a sending off'.”
Finally, Conor McLaughlin, Tom Flanagan and Jordan Jones are heading to Wembley for the Final of the Football League Trophy after Sunderland defeated Lincoln City on penalties in midweek.
They will play League Two side Tranmere Rovers on Sunday 14th March.
