Moore or less, Ronnie looks like the next Ipswich manager

Ronnie Moore, the Rotherham United manager, appeared to be waving a fond farewell to the Millmoor fans before and after the Millers' 1-1 Nationwide First Division draw with Gillingham.

But the Yorkshire club's board have other ideas. In a statement immediately after the match they admitted that Ipswich Town had approached them with a view to speaking to Moore about the vacancy created by the sacking of the Suffolk club's manager, George Burley.

"We do not welcome this approach and have refused them permission to speak to him," the statement read.

Moore, however, said that he was disappointed not to be allowed the chance to talk to Ipswich. "I watched the Blues in the week and they have good players and support. I have gone as far as I can [at Rotherham]. I have worked hard to get this opportunity.

"I'm hoping both chairmen can get together and sort something out. Rotherham gave me an opportunity, for which I thank them, and I like to think I have repaid them two or three times over. I want to go on and take a club like Ipswich back into the Premiership. There is a clause in my contract that allows me to leave. I am employed by Rotherham United, but there is an escape clause, not that I want to call it that."

Ipswich, for their part, declared: "We have made no contact or approach to Rotherham at all."

On the pitch, the Gills were a goal behind in the 13th minute when Barry Ashby horribly miscued Chris Sedgwick's centre into his own net. Two minutes later Chris Swailes almost put Rotherham 2-0 up but his header hit the bar and two minutes after that Gillingham equalised in their first serious assault when Rod Wallace found space 18 yards out and shot into the bottom corner. In the second half was dominated by the defences as the Gills hung on for a good away point.

Rotherham stay eighth but Burnley's improvement after a torpid start has lifted them to within a place and a point of Moore's (for the time being) men. Goals by Robert Blake and Steve Davis gave the Clarets a 2-1 win over Walsall at Turf Moor. Three minutes before half-time Blake broke the deadlock from Davis's cross and with 21 minutes remaining Davis fired in from close range after an Ian Moore shot was deflected into his path. Substitute Gary Birch got Walsall's consolation goal.

There are new leaders of the Second Division after Oldham were held to a 1-1 draw at Port Vale while Graham Kavanagh scored the only goal of Cardiff City's match against Wycombe at Ninian Park to go top. Wigan, 3-1 winners at Plymouth with Tony Dinning scoring twice, are second with the Latics slipping to third. Fourth-placed Crewe Alexandra won 4-1 at Stockport County, Rob Hulse got two of the goals.

In the Third, Torquay spurned the chance to go top, losing 2-1 at Boston, a win that lifted the Pilgrims off the bottom. Rushden stay third thanks to a 1-1 draw at managerless Exeter City.