It's all smiles for Craig Mackail-Smith, scorer of six goals for Brighton so far this season

A full weekday fixture list saw a repeat of the weekend’s actions – not in terms of goals, but certainly in terms of results. Those protecting their unbeaten runs continued to profit while those looking for their first wins continued to struggle.

It seems that Blackburn Rovers have found themselves an unlikely strike partnership in the shape of Jordan Rhodes and Nuno Gomes. Rhodes, a former Ipswich Town trainee who found success in Leagues 1 and 2 of the Football League is now scoring regularly alongside Champions League experienced Nuno Gomes. The strike duo, which scored just a few days ago against Bristol City, did it again as they aided their side to a fightback from a Jacob Melis goal for Barnsley. Rhodes scored just before half-time, while Gomes’ goal –his fourth of the season – came late in the second half to give Rovers a dramatic 2-1 win and maintain their position at the top of the table.

Meanwhile for fellow promotion chasers Blackpool, loan signing Nathan Delfouneso scored two first half goals to give his side the upper hand against Middlesbrough. Boro’s Andre Amougou gave the Teessiders a glimmer of hope when he scored just before half-time, but Blackpool’s Thomas Ince and Eliot Grandin scored the third and fourth to give the Tangerines an impressive win.

For Brighton & Hove Albion, Craig Mackail-Smith continued his outstanding start to the season when he converted a 50^th minute penalty as Albion secured all three points at Watford. This was Watford’s fourth consecutive defeat, not quite the results their new owners would have been looking for when they bought the club and installed Gianfranco Zola as manager.

ELSEWHERE

Hull City continued their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought 3-2 win against Leeds United. Luciano Becchio had given Leeds the lead from the penalty spot, but loan signing Ahmed Elmohamady restored parity just fifteen minutes later. Hull then gained the initiative to go 3-1 up, Abdoulaye Faye and Robert Koren scoring for the second fixture in a row, with Leeds’ Andy Gray scoring a late second for Neil Warnock’s side.

Another team looking to continue their impressive start to the season were Nottingham Forest, who drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The Eagles had dominated proceedings for much of the game and took the lead when Kagisho Dikgacoi scored from a corner early in the second half. Forest were reduced to ten men when Adlene Guedioura was sent off for violent conduct, but it was the impetus Forest seemingly needed as Dexter Blackstock finished coolly when put through by fellow striker Simon Cox nine minutes before full-time.

One side desperate to get a result are Peterborough United, and after a tough defeat at the weekend, Tuesday night’s 2-1 scoreline won’t have helped Darren Ferguson position at the club. Posh, who are languishing at the foot of the table with zero points, fell to Bristol City as new recruit Sam Baldock struck twice for the Robins. Lee Tomlin scored a late consolation from the penalty spot but it is wins, not solitary goals that they’ll need.

Two more sides which continued where they left off are Charlton and Millwall, both losing after a fruitless weekend. For Charlton, defeat came in the shape of a 3-2 capitulation at Derby County, Jamie Ward scoring two goals as the Rams took a three goal lead. Two quick-fire goals in the second half from Yann Kermorgant and Danny Green hinted at a possible fight-back, but Derby held on to secure all three points. As for Millwall, defeat came at the hands of Cardiff City, as Peter Whittingham and Craig Noone scored to secure the win for the Bluebirds. Millwall now sit just above the relegation zone while Charlton are third from bottom.

Bolton Wanderers’ awkward start to their Championship campaign continued when they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City at the St Andrews , their fourth away defeat of the season. New signing Leroy Lita scored on his home debut for the Blues and Marlon King scored from the penalty spot in the second half to secure the win. Chris Eagles’ had equalised for the Wanderers just before half-time.