By Longsider
November 24 2003

No change at the top with most of the leaders being held in their respective games. There is however a mangerial change with Bradford City who are in big trouble near the bottom of the table. Most of the pacemakers in the Nationwide First Division - West Brom, Sheffield United, Norwich City, Sunderland, Wigan - dropped points and mid-table teams won to increase the congestion among the leaders.

The leaders West Brom were held to a goaless draw by the ever improving Reading, who are at the Turf tomorrow night, yet despite this setback for the Baggies they still remain top.

After being beaten at home by Watford last Saturday, Norwich were held to a 0-0 draw at Preston North End but still moved up to second because their local rivals, Ipswich Town, blunted Sheffield United's challenge with a comfortable 3-0 win at Portman Road.

Referee Mick Fletcher awarded Ipswich a penalty after Chris Morgan brought down Shefki Kuqi. He converted the kick and goals by Ian Westlake and Darren Bent took Joe Royle's side into the play-off places.

The challenges of promoted Wigan and relegated Sunderland stalled when the Latics were given a scare by Nottingham Forest in a 2-2 draw at the JJB Stadium and the Wearsiders were swept aside by three goals in 10 minutes at Crewe.

Wigan led 1-0, though Nathan Ellington, and trailed 2-1 for while with Thompson and Marlon Harwood netting for the visitors, before Andy Liddell grabbed the equaliser. The goal from Harewood could be his last for Forest after they agreed a fee of £500,000 with West Ham for the the striker today.

Meanwhile, at Crewe, Sunderland were caught square as first Dean Ashton and then Steve Jones scored. Jones soon added Alex's third.

Any Cardiff inhabitants seeking a lift after Wales' disappointment on Wednesday night could take some comfort from the continuing progress of the local side. They dug in for a won 1-0 at bottom-of-the-table Wimbledon 1-0 when Gary Croft's cross sailed into the net.

Alan Pardew is still searching for his first victory as he saw his West Ham side held to a goaless draw against Watford at Vicarage Road.

Elsewhere at the bottom, Bradford City lost 1-0 at Stoke City so they stay in the bottom three. Bryan Robson has been appointed the new manager for the Bantams and needs to turn things around quickly otherwise he'll be managing in the Second Division next season.

The two First Division sides left in south London both drew 0-0, Millwall with Derby County at the New Den, and Crystal Palace at Walsall. And Coventry City's Julian Joachim and Gillingham's Tommy Johnson both scored twice as the teams drew 2-2 at Highfield Road.