Unbeaten in their next nine games, they suffered only three more defeats, missing the First Division play-offs on goals. In fact, in 45 League matches since, Birmingham have gathered 83 points and lost only seven times.
“If you looked on that as a whole season, it is play-off form,” a far more cheerful Francis said on Saturday.”We have been playing well lately and I would say we are genuine contenders this time, perhaps not for automatic promotion to the Premiership but at least for a play-off. BRETT ANGELL scored a hat-trick of headers as he gave Stockport only their second home First Division win of the season yesterday. County surrendered a two-goal lead before late strikes by Angell and Steve Grant killed off Port Vale 4-2. Angell opened his account in the 20th minute when he put a forceful header past Paul Musselwhite. His second was from two yards out, from Tony Dinning’s corner in the 41st minute.
Vale – managed by John Rudge, who is thought to be in the frame to replace Mark McGhee as manager of Wolverhampton – pulled one back courtesy through Peter Beadle two minutes later, then drew level in the 56th minute when County’s captain, Mike Flynn, put through his own net.
Angell rescued the situation three minutes from time, heading home Ian Moore’s angled deep cross from the right.Though Rudge hardly improved his chances of getting the Wolves job, on Saturday, the Molineux side showed how much they are missing McGhee, putting six goals past Bristol City. With Colin Lee in temporary charge, they won 6-1, David Connolly hitting four and Guy Whittingham and Carl Robinson one apiece.The early season pace-setters, Huddersfield, were about to take three points from Ipswich before David Johnson’s late equaliser. Mark Venus had given Ipswich a 24th-minute lead but Huddersfield hit back through Rob Edwards and Wayne Allison before their late setback.The top four were all winners in the Second Division, though it was Manchester City’s 3-0 win at Oldham which will have their rivals worried. City at last performed with a measure of pride,Kevin Horlock hitting two and Andy Morrison the third.Stoke stay at the top after beating Luton 3-1, while third-placed Preston maintained their superb start with a 4-1 win over Burnley, while fourth- placed Walsall beat Millwall 3-0.Rotherham seem most likely to rise above the Third Division promotion race after their 4-0 win over Scarborough left them sharing first place with Scunthorpe and Cambridge.. IT IS almost a year since Birmingham outplayed West Brom-wich Albion at The Hawthorns only to lose to an 83rd-minute goal. In the wake of that defeat, Trevor Francis sank to his lowest ebb since becoming manager.
Substitute not used: Thirlwell.Grimsby Town (4-4-2): Davison; McDermott, Livingstone, Handyside, Gallimore; Coldicott, Widdrington (Black, 42), Groves, D Smith (Lever, 78); Lester, Nogan (Ashcroft, 68).Referee: G Singh (Wolverhampton).Bookings: Sunderland: Sorensen, Ball.Man of the match: Sorensen.Attendance: 40,077.. We’ve played a lot of pressure League games lately.”It’ll be a bit of a yardstick for us And if we win we’re in the last eight. It’s not a bad position to be in.” It could, though, – on Saturday’s evidence, at least – be much better.Goals: M Smith (65) 1-0; M Smith (69) 2-0; Groves (70) 2-1; Quinn (81) 3-1.Sunderland (4-4-2): Sorensen; Makin, Butler, Melville, Scott; M Smith, Ball, Williams, Johnston; Bridges (Wainwright, 77), Quinn (Aiston, 86). It was the Irishman’s 100th League goal and fitting reward for an appropriately towering personal contribution.Despite suffering from flu and having been confined to home barracks for three days, Quinn responded to his manager’s emergency plea for help. He did not depart until the victory was secure, making way for Sam Aiston after his goal.Clark, who suffered a broken leg on the opening day of the season, returns to action in a friendly match at Durham City tonight, but Reid will still be short of fit first-teamers on Wednesday at Goodison, where his promoted side won 3-1 two years ago before their one-off Premiership campaign descended into free-fall.”I won’t risk any players who aren’t fit,” the Sunderland manager said, “not in a Worthington Cup tie But we can go there and enjoy it.