Mandaric takes a view as Pompey share the spoils

Nationwide round-up

One of the least tried methods of motivating footballers – in practice and in law – is the withholding of wages. Milan Mandaric, chairman of Nationwide First Division Portsmouth, pioneered the technique last week after a series of "disappointing" results, eventually paid up on Friday and was in the Fratton Park directors' box to view the glum effects of his decisions on the team's performance and morale against lowly Walsall.

"A poor game," Graham Rix, the Pompey manager, whose salary was also withheld, said after the 1-1 draw. "There was a subdued atmosphere and my players weren't able to lift the crowd. Maybe their performance was understandable after what has happened." The Saddlers' goalkeeper, James Walker, made some fine saves and Martin O'Connor put them ahead until Peter Crouch rescued a point for Pompey, who were booed off.

Facing the rest of the season without their striker Jason Roberts, third-placed West Bromwich Albion looked to their more experienced goalscorers to dig out a win against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park and continue their pursuit of an automatic promotion place. Daniel Dichio obliged. His goal seven minutes into the second half won the match and took Albion to within two points of Manchester City, who have three games in hand and play Coventry City at Maine Road today. "I knew we could keep it with our defensive record," Gary Megson, Albion's manager, said, "and Russell Hoult is the best goalkeeper outside the Premiership."

Millwall stay fourth after sharing honours at Barnsley. The Tykes fell behind to a Christophe Kinet header in the first half, but earned a point from Chris Lumsdon's penalty. Late in the game, Barnsley's Isiah Rankin and the Lions' Matthew Lawrence were sent off for brawling.

Just outside the play-offs, Preston North End, their defence bolstered by the loan signing of Colin Hendry from Bolton, go level on points with Birmingham City after beating them 1-0 at Deepdale through a Darren Purse own goal. "It was a foul [on Curtis Woodhouse]," Steve Bruce, the Brum manager, moaned.

Relegation strugglers Grimsby Town tore up the form book when they rushed into a 4-0 lead against visitors Crystal Palace, the goals coming in a 27-minute burst. Palace pulled a couple back until David Smith made it 5-2. But the Mariners stay in the relegation places because Crewe Alexandra, their FA Cup exploits over after defeat by Everton, pulled off a useful away win at Watford, with Dean Ashton scoring the only goal of the game.

Sheffield Wednesday, who had been sucked back into trouble, recovered by winning the Yorkshire derby at Bradford City 2-1. David Johnson, on loan from Nottingham Forest, missed an easy header before putting the Owls in front. Shefki Kuqi made the three points safe.

Elsewhere, doomed Stockport lost 3-0 at Sheffield United and had Luke Beckett sent off. "We've had four sent off in the last five games, I feel that referees are making a stand against me," County's manager, Carlton Palmer, said. And Nottingham Forest won 2-1 at Rotherham, whose manager, Ronnie Moore, denied he is to become Hull's manager.

In the Second Division, the leaders Reading were 2-0 down at bottom-of-the-table Cambridge United but they earned a point from a 2-2 draw to go seven clear.

But the day's nerviest match was at Brisbane Road, where the Third Division's bottom two met. Scott Canham scored twice as Leyton Orient beat Halifax 3-1, leaving the Yorkshiremen 10 points adrift and Conference-bound again.