Bolton Wanderers kicked off the New Year as they had finished the last one as a fourth successive victory sent them in 2024 sitting in the League One promotion places
It took an own-goal from Burton defender Jasper Moon just after the break to maintain the winning run ahead of a break for FA Cup and EFL Trophy action.
Goalscorer Jonny Smith said that Wigan deserved all three points against Barnsley FC on New Year’s Day despite coming away from Oakwell with one.
Latics found themselves a goal down at the interval after Devante Cole’s close-range finish put the Tykes ahead, but after having the best chances throughout the 90, Shaun Maloney’s men battled back to pick up a point thanks to Jonny Smith’s wonder strike.
Stockport returned to Edgeley Park for the first time since Christmas, but began 2024 by falling to a two-goal defeat in a top-two tussle with second-placed Mansfield.
The visitors scored early in the second half and deep into added time, to do the ‘double’ over County and close the gap at the head of the table to two points – while the Hatters’ woe was further accentuated by the losses of Kyle Knoyle and Ethan Pye to injury.
With reports that Ryan Giggs is being considered for the Managers position,Salford City suffered another harrowing defeat with a 3-0 loss at Accrington Stanley on New Year’s Day
Reflecting on the afternoon, interim Head Coach Simon Wiles was disappointed with the manner of the goals Salford conceded but hopes to encourage a reaction for Saturday’s game against Forest Green Rovers.
“If you look at the goals we conceded, really frustrated with how we find ourselves 3-0 down coming into half time. That was the frustrating thing, I don’t think there was too much in the game, they capitalised on those moments.
“The frustrating thing is I felt that we did create moments in and around the box, the keeper made two or three great saves, blocks and bodies on the line which you’d expect that, and it just didn’t fall for us.
In the Conference
