- Martin Samuelsen was in action for Blackburn Rovers as they recorded their first league win of the season
- Josh Cullen and Lewis Page played for Bradford and Coventry as they drew in League One
- Josh Pask’s Gillingham were beaten by Port Vale in England’s third tier
Most Hammers out on loan endured a difficult weekend in the Football League as only Martin Samuelsen was in winning action.
The Norwegian international was a 93rd minute substitute for Blackburn Rovers in their emphatic 4-2 victory over Rotherham United, a win which lifted Owen Coyle’s side from the foot of the Championship.
However, the afternoon began in disastrous fashion for Rovers, who conceded after just twelve minutes to a Danny Ward strike.
Ten minutes later though, the hosts equalised through Craig Conway before forward Marvin Emnes fired Blackburn in front just before the half hour mark.
Ben Marshall saw Coyle’s men started the second period on the front foot when he curled home within a minute of the restart and though Ward gave the Millers hope with his second, Sam Gallagher pounced in injury time to seal Rovers’ first league win of the season.
Winger Samuelsen entered the field for his second appearance to help the Lancashire outfit see out the final moments.
In League One, Josh Cullen and Lewis Page both helped their loan sides – Bradford City and Coventry City respectively – to draws.
Cullen and the Bantams were held at home to struggling Bristol Rovers despite managing more possession and attempts on goal than their opponents, though it was something off the field which made the headlines in Yorkshire.
After a three-minute delay, the action got back underway and the hosts thought they had won it when Australian defender James Meredith headed home with 17 minutes remaining.
But, with just four minutes left on the clock, Rovers sub Charlie Colkett – on loan from Chelsea – fired in an equaliser to pile on the frustration for Bradford and Cullen, who played the full 90 minutes for the fifth time this campaign.
There was also a full match for Page, though Coventry could only record a goalless draw with Oldham Athletic.
The hosts, who went closest through Marvin Sordell in the second half, will be looking to bounce back against Gillingham next weekend as they look to lift themselves from the bottom of England’s third tier.
The Gills will be hoping to do the same, however, after a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Port Vale on Saturday.
Hammers defender Josh Pask played the entirety of the clash at Vale Park and Josh Wright gave the Kent side the lead in the first half.
Remie Streete and Alex Jones hit back in the final 15 minutes for the hosts though, and condemned Gillingham to their third league defeat this term.
Reece Burke and Kyle Knoyle’s Wigan Athletic drew 0-0 with Fulham in the Championship, though the pair were not involved, while Stephen Hendrie did not take part in Blackburn’s win. Luka Belic did not feature for Motherwell in their 4-2 win over Hamilton Academical, nor did Doneil Henry for AC Horsens.
Finally, there was a place on the bench for midfielder Geroge Dobson as Walsall recorded a terrific 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at the Bescot Stadium.