Sunday's Division One Round-Up: Week 17

The Results

The Table

Rotherham's sixth victory of the season dealt Grimsby a bad blow as they push out of the bottom six of the division. However, defeat for the Saddlers keeps them just above Grimsby on goal difference with both teams earning 20 points from their 22 games. Crewe also moved up a place after beating basement team Stockport 1-0. It also means that County remain rooted at the bottom. Wimbledon are now beginning to get dragged into the relegation battle, but Sheff Utd are moving the opposite way after coming back to draw 2-2 against high-flying Preston.

Latest League Table

Division's Talent

Rotherham's recent signing John Mullin (left) from Burnley has settled in very quickly and was on the mark against Walsall on Saturday. The £100,000 capture by Ronnie Moore did play in the Premiership for Sunderland and had scored against Man Utd in the 96/97 season.

One time Grimsby trialist Ian Moore (right) is banging the goals in for his team Burnley, who continue to defy all odds by remaining at the summit of the division. Their 2-1 success at Palace on Saturday was down to Ian Moore's brace, striking once in each half.

Finally, West Brom's Portuguese midfielder Jordáo (left) scored the match-winner for the Baggies after his single goal gave his side all three points at Wolves. West Brom have shown indifferent form of late but Jordáo's strike secured a victory at Molineux.

Top Goalscorers

Shaun Goater (left) just keeps scoring, and his last-minute strike at Blundell Park on Saturday was his 19th league goal in 20 games, underlining Man City's potential Premiership quality. Darren Huckerby who slotted a penalty for his seventh of the season assisted him equally.

Healy and Cresswell (right) are quickly forming one of the most potent strike forces in the division, and each striker was on the mark at Bramall Lane in Preston's 2-2 draw with Sheff Utd.

Finally, much-travelled Paul Peschisolido (left) eventually got a goal for the Blades in the same match. The former Stoke, West Brom, Fulham and Norwich player also set up George Santos's equaliser.

Town's Next Opponents

Grimsby's next opponents are none other than Wolves, who currently lie second in the table. Dave Jones' men did lose on Sunday at home to West Brom, just their third defeat in the league this season, but the Mariners have had reasonable success over the West Midlands club at Blundell Park over the last six years or so. Of Grimsby's last seven league games at home they have won one, drawn one and lost five. Wolves are formidable away from home, only ever losing once this campaign and notching up seven wins and two draws. They can also boast of the best defence in the division away from home and they have scored 19 goals also on their travels. This will undoubtedly be Lennie Lawrence's sternest test of the season.

Path for Grimsby

After the Friday night game against Wolves, Grimsby then wait eight days before they travel to Walsall. A week on and it's another away game, this time at Preston where the Mariners were successful last season. On Boxing Day it's Coventry's turn to visit Blundell Park, and three days later Portsmouth provide another home game for Town. The New Year's Day game is away at Barnsley, which could turn out to be a real six-pointer.

Full Fixture List.

Next Week

• Tuesday
  Millwall - Man City

• Friday
  Grimsby - Wolves

• Saturday
  Barnsley - Walsall
  Birmingham - Norwich
  Bradford - Rotherham
  Crystal Palace - Man City
  Notts Forest - Gillingham
  Portsmouth - Crewe
  Sheff Wed - Millwall
  Stockport - Wimbledon
  West Brom - Sheff Utd

• Sunday
  Coventry - Watford
  Preston - Burnley