Simpson and HallLONDON, CMC:
TRINIDAD AND Tobago's Tony Rougier and the Jamaican pair of Fitzroy Simpson and Paul Hall were among the weekend scorers in English football.
Rougier helped Reading draw 1-1 with Stoke City and Simpson's goal gave Walsall a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in division one, while in the third division, the-in-form Hall snatched a late winner for Rushden and Diamonds to clip leaders Hartlepool 2-1.
Aiming to lift themselves out of the middle group of the standings, Reading shot clear in the minute when Rougier fired in a left footer from the top of the box after collecting a John Salako cross.
Stoke earned a share of the points when Jurgen Vandeurzen struck an equaliser before half time.
Simpson's winner for Walsall at Bescot Stadium came just before half time, with a superb individual effort. He weaved his way between defenders and struck a curling shot into the roof of the net for 15th-placed Walsall to climb to 13 points, one behind Reading, who are 11th.
Rushden and Diamonds produced a stirring second half fightback against Hartlepool to record their first away win of the season. Adam Boyd gave Hartlepool a first half lead with a 31st minute goal, but Rushden and Diamonds, who were without injured Jamaican forward Onandi Lowe, drew level three minutes into the second half when Mark Peters powerfully headed in a Daniel Talbot corner.
And six minutes before the end, Hall, who scored twice in last weekend's 2-2 draw with Wrexham, ended a 30-yard run with a neat finish to score his fifth goal of the season.
Rushden & Diamonds, now with 19 points, are fifth in a tight Division Three table, being led by Hartlepool and Rochdale on 21 points each.
