- There were huge results for both Josh Cullen and Jaanai Gordon in loan action this weekend
- Cullen’s Bantams sealed a play-off spot whilst Gordon’s Newport climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time since November
- Meanwhile, Reece Burke made his long-awaited comeback from injury to play for Wigan Athletic
With Enner Valencia unable to face his parent club West Ham United whilst on loan at Everton on Saturday, the only Hammers in loan action over the weekend were below the top flight.
In the Championship, Reece Oxford and Reading’s slim hopes of catching Newcastle United in second place were all but ended when they were beaten by struggling Nottingham Forest 3-2.
It was a much needed victory for the hosts, who had slipped into some relegation trouble at the bottom of the table, and Britt Assambalonga got things moving at the City Ground with the opener after half an hour.
The forward added a second before Mustapha Carayol got in on the act to put the result beyond doubt.
A Yann Kermorgant double unsettled the home crowd, but Reading – who kept Oxford on the substitutes’ bench – could not mount a full comeback.
Elsewhere in the division, there was the long-awaited return of Reece Burke to Wigan Athletic’s starting XI as he made his senior comeback at home to Cardiff City.
Burke’s team could not get the victory they so desperately needed though, firing a blank in the goalless contest, and look set to be relegated back down to League One at the first time of asking.
Down in the third tier, Bradford City booked their play-off spot with a simple 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon, though their top-six hopes have never really been in doubt.
Josh Cullen played the full 90 minutes once again for the Bantams who scored twice through Tony McMahon either side of Mark Marshall’s goal at the end of the first period.
Stuart McCall’s men will likely face Scunthorpe United in the semi-final stages of the play-offs.
Walsall’s penultimate clash of an average season ended in disappointment, as George Dobson and co. were beaten 1-0 at relegated Coventry City.
The central midfielder was brought on at half time but could not help the Saddlers overturn a one-goal deficit brought about by young striker George Thomas’ goal.
Meanwhile in League Two, Newport County climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time since November as they beat Accrington Stanley 1-0 at home.
West Ham forward Jaanai Gordon was introduced in injury time as the Exiles recorded a massive win to lift them out of the bottom two just six weeks after they were eleven points adrift.
Ryan Bird scored the all-important goal, and Mike Flynn’s side now need to keep their heads just above Hartlepool United’s if they are to preserve their Football League status.
Finally, goalkeeper Sam Howes helped Hampton and Richmond Borough to a 2-1 away win at Welling United on Saturday in the National League South.