Brad Friedel's Rovers were lifted by a last gasp winner, Tim Howard grabbed another clean sheet to complement a lone Everton goal and Watford slipped off the title pace at Preston.

--------------------------
ROBERTS STUNS BOLTON LATE
With less than a minute left in regulation time, want away striker Jason Roberts carved open the Trotters' defense for a late winner to guarantee Blackburn Rovers a 2-1 win over local rivals Bolton.

The context surrounding the match included a number of departures, with talismanic forward Nicolas Anelka emigrating from the Reebok Stadium to Stamford Bridge, Robbie Savage trading Ewood for Pride and both teams losing bodies to the African Cup of Nations - Bolton duo El Hadji Diouf and Abdoulaye Méïté, and Rovers axe Aaron Mokoena.

Blackburn, however, were boosted by news that star striker Benni McCarthy had been overlooked by South African coach Carlos Alberto Parreira for the continental tournament.

American stalwart keeper Brad Friedel was given an easy afternoon, with most of the attacking pressure gracing the other end of the park.

England hopeful David Bentley came close to adding his name on the scoresheet in the 17th minute, with his curled free kick just not dipping enough.

Just before the break, Bolton surged with Joey O'Brien picking out under-fire club captain Kevin Nolan through a superb long ball in the 43rd minute. Nolan, responded with a brilliant turn-and-shot to beat Friedel.

After the break, Rovers pushed to claim an equalizer, with in-form ace Roque Santa Cruz testing Bolton keeper Jussi Jaskelainen.

In the 53rd minute, Mark Hughes' men would find that leveler, Christopher Samba beating his marker to head in a Bentley corner.

The young English playmaker came close to a winner in the 83rd minute, with his free kick bouncing just in front of Jaskelainen, whose fingers tipped the ball just beyond the far post.

Then, with just moments remaining, substitute Roberts pushed forward from Santa Cruz's flick-on, running around a tandem of defenders before slotting his shot past Jaskelainen with aid from a slight deflection.

On Saturday, Rovers welcome Middlesbrough to Ewood Park.

Scoring
BOL - Kevin Nolan 4 (Joey O'Brien) 43'
BLA - Christopher Samba 2 (David Bentley) 53'
BLA - Jason Roberts 1 (Roque Santa Cruz) 90'

Line-ups
BOL - Jussi Jaskelainen; Joey O'Brien, Andrew O'Brien, Lubomir Michalik, Ricardo Gardner, Danny Guthrie, Kevin Nolan, Ivan Campo (Gavin McCann 57'), Tamir Cohen (Christian Wilhelmsson 63'), Stelios Giannakopoulos, Kevin Davies

BLA - Brad Friedel; Andre Ooijer (Zurab Khizanishvili 73'), Christopher Samba, Ryan Nelsen, Stephen Warnock, David Bentley, David Dunn, Steven Reid, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Benni McCarthy (Jason Roberts 77'), Roque Santa Cruz (Matt Derbyshire 89')

--------------------------
FULHAM DOWNED AT UPTON PARK
West Ham heaped more hurt on the Cottagers and new boss Roy Hodgson with a 2-1 home win at Upton Park.

It was a yank-filled affair, with Illinois native Jonathan Spector suiting up for the Hammers, opposite of Fulham duo Carlos Bocanegra and Clint Dempsey.

Fulham got the ball rolling early, with former Everton winger Simon Davies seeing his eighth minute free kick evade its intended targets in the box, but hobbling into the back of the net all the same.

In the 14th minute, American defender Bocanegra would need to cut his day short, being replaced by Aaron Hughes after a clash of heads with Freddie Ljungberg.

With the home side feeling the heat, Dean Ashton would reply to settle the nerves, and guarantee that his name will be rung in the press when Fabio Capello names his first England XI. The England hopeful ran onto the end of a Ljungberg cross, and sent his header past an outstretched Antti Niemi in the 28th.

West Ham began to assume some more presence over the match as the half wore on, with Carlton Cole calling Niemi into a fine save just minutes before the end of the half.

In the 69th minute, Anton Ferdinand gave the home fans something to cheer about, taking advantage of Mark Noble's determined work at the byline to power home the winner.

Despite chances for both sides, neither would add to the tally.

Next on the agenda for West Ham is a midweek FA Cup clash at the City of Manchester Stadium. Fulham also have a midweek FA Cup replay tussle with Bristol Rovers.

Scoring
FUL - Simon Davies 4 8'
WHU - Dean Ashton 5 (Freddie Ljungberg) 28'
WHU - Anton Ferdinand 2 (Mark Noble) 69'

Line-ups
WHU - Robert Green, Jonathan Spector, Anton Ferdinand, Matthew Upson, George McCartney, Freddy Ljungberg (Julien Faubert 89'), Hayden Mullins, Mark Noble, Matthew Etherington (Lee Bowyer 83'), Dean Ashton, Carlton Cole (Luis Boa Morte 65')

FUL - Antti Niemi; Chris Baird, Dejan Stefanovic, Carlos Bocanegra (Aaron Hughes 14'), Paul Konchesky, Moritz Volz (Jimmy Bullard 77'), Steve Davis, Danny Murphy, Simon Davies, David Healy (Alexei Smertin 78'), Clint Dempsey

--------------------------
EVERTON TRUMP CITEH
Joleon Lescott's 31st minute header ensured that Everton keep strong in the hunt for fourth place with a 1-0 win over top-table rivals Manchester City.

US international Tim Howard ran out the full 90 in between the posts, rarely being called into action, with the Citizens managing just one credible shot on goal.

Steven Pienaar, Aiyegbeni Yakubu and Joseph Yobo were all on hiatus at the African Cup of Nations, prompting Everton boss David Moyes to draft in a series of replacements.

In the 20th minute, Phil Jagielka poked his effort just wide and five minutes later, Aussie Star Tim Cahill would strike low at City keeper Joe Hart before blasting the rebound high and over.

Then, in the 31st minute, Mikael Arteta's corner picked out an ever-committed Lescott, who obliged with a header past Hart.

Victor Anichebe would continue to heap pressure on the City backline, as the game wore on, but Hart seemed up to the task.

With minutes remaining, keeper Howard was forced into a lone save of the match, diving low to suppress Martin Petrov's low drive.

Next on the list for Everton is a trip to Steve Bruce's Wigan on Sunday.

Scoring
EVE - Joleon Lescott 4 (Mikel Arteta) 31'

Line-ups
EVE - Tim Howard; Tony Hibbert, Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott, Nuno Valente, Mikael Arteta, Lee Carsley, Phil Neville, James McFadden (James Vaughan 60'), Tim Cahill, Victor Anichebe (Leighton Baines 89')

MC - Joe Hart; Nedum Onuoha, Micah Richards, Richard Dunne, Michael Ball, Vedran Corluka, Dietmar Hamann (Fernandes Gelson 56'), Martin Petrov, Elano, Nery Castillo (Rolando Bianchi 57'), Darius Vassell (Stephen Ireland 69')

--------------------------
VILLA PROLONG READING ROAD RAGE
With a 3-1 defeat at Villa Park, second-season syndrome continues to bite for Reading, who slumped to their 12th defeat of 2007/08 and now teeter a precarious two points above the relegation zone.

Ashley Young was a fly in the Royals' ointment all afternoon, and the former Watford star's free kick from the left in the 22nd minute allowed John Carew to nod Villa into a deserved lead, although the Norwegian's strike had a hint of offside about it.

US keeper Marcus Hahnemann was carded in the 48th for scything down a raiding Gabriel Agbonlahor, and six minutes later, another Young set piece led to a goal.
From Young's corner, Martin Laursen out-jumped the Reading defense to make it 2-0 to the home team.

The scoreline was a little harsh on the visitors, who created a number of chances over the 90.

Kevin Doyle was guilty of spurning a fine opportunity when he found himself clean through early on, but spooned his shot high over the bar.

The Irish international and Dave Kitson both fired wide of the target, but Villa keeper Scott Carson also earned his keep by denying Kitson with a fine save.

Young set up the clincher in the 88th minute, feeding Agbonlahor, whose quick center Carew tapped into an unguarded net.

Good work by Shane Long allowed Harper to slot under the advancing Carson in the final minute, but Reading's dismal away form goes on.

The last eleven outings have seen the Royals draw three and lose eight, with still no road victory.

The 13th place Royals are back in action on Tuesday at the Madejski in their 3rd Round FA Cup replay with Tottenham.

Scoring
AV - John Carew 5 (Ashley Young) 22'
AV - Martin Laursen 6 (Ashley Young) 55'
AV - John Carew 6 (Gabriel Agbonlahor) 88'
REA - James Harper 4 (Shane Long) 90'

Line-Ups
AV - Scott Carson; Craig Gardner, Martin Laursen, Curtis Davies, Wilfred Bouma, Stilian Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker, Gareth Barry, Ashley Young (Shaun Maloney 90'), John Carew (Moustapha Salifou 90'), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Marlon Harewood 90')

REA - Marcus Hahnemann; Graeme Murty, Brynjar Gunnarsson, Ingimarsson, Ulises De La Cruz (Bobby Convey 73'), James Harper, Kalifa Cissé, Stephen Hunt, Dave Kitson (Leroy Lita 76'), Kevin Doyle (Shane Long 89')

--------------------------
WATFORD LOSE TO CELLAR-DWELLARS
Watford's rocky form continued as the Hornets missed the chance to go equal on points with leaders West Brom after losing 1-0 to bottom club Preston North End.

Jay DeMerit went the 90 with the captain's armband, and though Watford arrived at Deepdale with the division's best away record, they could not prevent former Liverpool prodigy Neil Mellor grabbing the game's only goal 15 minutes from time to lift the Lillywhites off the floor and push their visitors out of the automatic promotion places.

A messy first half saw few clear-cut chances, although Darius Henderson might have done better than scuff an effort at Andy Lonergan on 27 minutes and Watford keeper Richard Lee made a key stop from Lewis Neal in first half injury time.

The choppy field made for an even scrappier affair after the break, but it was Preston who came closer to scoring.

DeMerit made a crucial last tackle on Sean St. Ledger just after the hour mark and Lee again denied Neal shortly before the only goal.

After Lewis Neal knocked Simon Whaley's cross back into the mêlée, Williamson's hack clear got as far as the six-yard box and the ball caromed off Mellor back into the goalmouth and over the line.

Watford fought back and Jobi McAnuff and John O'Toole both fired wide of the target in the closing minutes.

Lonergan made a smart save from a Henderson header at the death but the re-energized cellar dwellers ensured there would be no comeback for the Hertfordshire club.

Watford slip to third after their eighth defeat of the season, three points behind league leaders West Brom. The Hornets resume their campaign at home to Charlton on Saturday.

Scoring
PNE - Neil Mellor 3 75'

Line-ups
PNE - Andy Lonergan; Sean St. Ledger, Youl Mawene, Liam Chilvers, Callum Davidson, Simon Whaley, Richard Chaplow (Darren Carter 75'), Paul McKenna, Lewis Neal, Chris Brown (Neil Mellor 73'), Karl Hawley

WAT - Richard Lee; Lloyd Doyley, Matt Jackson (Adrian Mariappa 79'), Jay DeMerit, Jordan Stewart, Tommy Smith, Lee Williamson, Damien Francis (John O'Toole 76'), Jobi McAnuff, Marlon King, Darius Henderson

--------------------------
PORT VALE TAMES THE LIONS
Millwall suffered late as Port Vale rode a pair of Keith Lowe set pieces goals to a 3-1 victory that lifted them out of the League One basement.

Zak Whitbread worked the full contest in central defense, picking up a yellow card along the way.

The Lions took a lead on 14 minutes when Gary Alexander slammed home a Dave Brammer cross, but Danny Whitaker took advantage of a Millwall miscue at the back to level 10 minutes later.

Lowe eventually nodded home restarts in the 75th and 90th minute to claim the points.

Millwall now get ready to face FA Cup replay for Walsall on Tuesday.

Scoring
MW - Gary Alexander 5 (Dave Brammer) 14'
PV - Danny Whitaker 3 24'
PV - Keith Lowe 1 (Dave Mulligan) 75'
PV - Keith Lowe 2 (Dave Mulligan) 90'

MW - Lenny Pidgeley; Danny Senda, Zak Whitbread, Richard Shaw, Scott Barron, Adrian Forbes (Ben May 85'), Dave Brammer, Ali Fuseini, Marc Laird (Gary Bowes 79'), Jay Simpson (Andy Frampton 53'), Gary Alexander

--------------------------
BARNET SLOW DONS ROLL
A lone first half goal from Ismail Yakubu was enough to see visiting Barnet past League Two pacesetters MK Dons.

Jemal Johnson went the 90 minutes up front, but could not continue his streak of late heroics.

The winner came on 22 minutes and was a bit controversial. Yakubu stabbed home from close range with the flag initially up, but the tally eventually was allowed to stand.

Johnson and Keith Andrews threatened to equalize in the late going, but the Dons slipped to their first loss since November.

Scoring
BAR - Ismail Yakubu 1 (Jason Puncheon) 22'

MKD - Willy Gueret; Dean Lewington, Drissa Diallo, Sean O'Hanlon, Luke Howell (Drewe Broughton 77'), Nathan Dyer (Colin Cameron 63'), Keith Andrews, Alan Navarro, Mark Wright, Jude Stirling (Aaron Wilbraham 58'), Jemal Johnson

--------------------------
ON THE SIDELINE
Neither Benny Feilhaber nor Eddie Lewis saw action as Derby County dropped a 1-0 heartbreaker to Wigan.

Charlton topped Blackpool 4-1 without injured defender Cory Gibbs.

Frank Simek remained out as Sheffield Wednesday fell 1-0 at Cardiff.