BIRMINGHAM City’s goalless draw against Blackpool was enough to keep top spot for Blues in League One as Mat Sadler’s Walsall were victorious yet again to lead the League Two table.
Steve Bruce‘s return to St Andrews ended with both sides having to settle for a point as Birmingham’s eight-match winning streak in all competitions came to an end.
After relegation from the Championship last season, City chairman Tom Wagner will be pleased to see Chris Davies and his squad top of the table as the new year approaches.
An encounter with Stockport County awaits on New Year’s Day for Birmingham as they look to continue their bid to return to the second tier of English football.
League One review
Elsewhere in the third tier, Steven Fletcher’s stoppage-time winner earned Wrexham the three points against Shaun Maloney’s Wigan Athletic.
Phil Parkinson’s side end the year in second place, just a point behind league leaders Birmingham but having played two more games than their Hollywood rivals.
Charlton Athletic stunned third-placed Wycombe Wanderers after a quickfire brace from Miles Leaburn earned the Addicks a 2-1 victory.
The Chairboys had been undefeated in 19 league games under Matt Bloomfield but a late goal from Ivory Coast forward Richard Kone wasn’t enough to defend their unbeaten record.
Fourth-place Huddersfield Town rescued a point against bottom-side Burton Albion after a late header from Michal Helik cancelled out Charlie Webster’s opener.
Play-off side Stockport drew 1-1 against 17th placed Rotherham as Louie Barry netted yet another goal before he returns to his parent club Aston Villa in January.
Reading held onto their home record after a 2-1 victory over Mansfield Town as the Royals occupy the final play-off place position.
Barnsley made it back-to-back victories in the league with an impressive 3-1 away victory to Peterborough United to strengthen their play-off bid.
Leyton Orient defeated relegation-battling side Cambridge United 2-0 as Lincoln City were beaten 3-0 by Bolton Wanderers thanks to a Jay Matete double.
Exeter City and Crawley Town played out an enthralling 4-4 draw at St James Park as the Grecians overturned a 4-1 scoreline at half time by scoring three goals in the second half.
Stevenage got the best of Bristol Rovers in a 3-0 victory and finally, Shrewsbury Town and Northampton Town played out a 1-1 draw towards the bottom of the League One table.
League Two review
Teenager Nathan Lowe’s double against Newport handed Walsall a 2-0 victory and extended their current league winning streak to six games.
The Saddlers are 12 points clear of second place Notts County, who enjoyed a 5-3 away victory against Cheltenham Town at the weekend.
County’s victory left them level on points with third-placed Doncaster Rovers, who dropped points after a 1-1 draw with Colchester United.
Also on 37 points are Port Vale in fourth and Grimsby Town in fifth after the Mariners defeated their play-off rivals 3-0 at Blundell Park to go level on points with Darren Moore’s side.
Occupying the final two places in the play-offs are Crewe Alexandra and Salford City, both on 36 points.
Crewe came back to earn a point against MK Dons and Salford beat bottom-of-the-pile Morecambe 1-0 at home.
Bradford City enjoyed their third win in four league games after coming back from 1-0 down against Chesterfield to win 2-1 at the University of Bradford Stadium.
Bromley shared the points with Swindon Town in a 1-1 draw and so did Fleetwood Town and Harrogate Town.
Barrow and Tranmere Rovers also played out a 1-1 draw and finally, Carlisle United got the better of their relegation rivals Accrington Stanely in a 2-1 victory at home.
The win lifts them off the bottom and just one point off the visitors.
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