Matthew Pennington helped Coventry City record a vital 1-0 win over Colchester United to ease the Sky Blues’ relegation fears this weekend.
The Warrington-born defender completed 90 minutes for Tony Mowbray’s side as Jim O’Brien’s strike nine minutes before the half-time interval proved enough to lift Coventry to 16th and three points clear of the League One drop zone.
Meanwhile, in the Championship, Conor McAleny started for Cardiff City – but was forced off just after the half-hour mark after picking up an injury with the scores locked at 1-1 against Leeds United.
The Bluebirds went on to register a 2-1 win courtesy of Aron Gunnarson’s close-range effort after a goalmouth scramble in the second period.
In League Two, Gethin Jones was introduced as a 70th-minute substitute to ensure Plymouth Argyle secured a 2-1 home victory over Mansfield.
The victory leaves the Pilgrims occupying the final play-off place in League Two with just four games remaining.
Elsewhere, it was a disappointing weekend for the six other young Toffees, who were not involved for their temporary clubs this weekend.
Chris Long missed Brentford’s trip to Derby County as Darren Bent’s last-gasp strike earned the Rams a 1-1 draw with Mark Warburton’s side.
The Bees, however, remain well in contention for a play-off place in the Championship, sitting level on points with sixth-placed Ipswich Town with just a single goal separating the two Premier League hopefuls.
Warburton says he hopes to be able to call upon Long for Brentford's trip to Sheffield Wednesday this week. He said: “He took a knock in literally the last minute of a small-sided game in training on Friday.
“He felt something just above his knee. Hopefully it’s nothing serious but we’ve got to look after him. He’s not our player, he’s an Everton player.
“We’ll always treat him the right way and hopefully he’ll be available for Tuesday.”
In League One, a hamstring complaint ruled out Francisco Junior as Port Vale played out a goalless draw with MK Dons and John Lundstram missed Leyton Orient’s 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandra.
After three impressive performances, George Green was not available for Tranmere Rovers as the Prenton Park outfit slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Southend to leave them one point from safety in League Two.
Ben McLaughlin has been ruled out of for the season with a groin injury but AFC Telford’s relegation from the Football League has already been confirmed, while, north of the border, Conor Grant was not involved as Motherwell fell to a 2-0 defeat against Partick Thistle.
