Sears does it again

Freddie Sears was in sparkling form again as he helped Scunthorpe United to a third win in four games since joining the Championship club on loan.

The West Ham United forward, still only 20, set up the last-gasp winner for team-mate Michael O'Connor as the Iron were 1-0 winners against Hull City at Glanford Park. Sears has yet to find the net for the club he joined on a one-month loan on 19 October but has been hailed for his contribution in each of their successes since arriving.

O'Connor was particularly glowing in praise for Sears on Saturday. He said: "I told Freddie Sears that I'm on the edge of the box all the time and I wanted him to pull the ball back for me. Thankfully he did today and I thought I took the goal well. In the second half we stepped it up. Freddie enjoyed a lot of success against their defenders and I felt we were very good."

Elsewhere, on loan defender Matt Fry played the whole 90 minutes again for Charlton Athletic as they drew 0-0 with Barnet in their FA Cup first-round tie at Underhill. The League One club will be confident of progressing with a replay to come at The Valley against the League Two strugglers.