Parkinson praise for Wells

Watford boss Gianfranco Zola refused to panic despite seeing his side lose ground on second-placed Hull after they drew 0-0 with Cardiff.

The Hornets' draw with the Championship leaders combined with Hull's 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough leaves the Italian's side three points behind the Tigers.

But Zola was happy with the result in a game that saw former Watford manager Malky Mackay bring his current team to Vicarage Road.

"I don't consider it two points dropped. It is a good point against the top of the league team," said Zola.

"I believe we tried everything we could to win the game. The reason why we didn't win is because they are a tough team to beat and it's no coincidence they are in the position they are.

"I'm not complaining, we tried everything we could and probably in the second half we created the opportunities to win the game.

"I believe with one, their goalkeeper was outstanding and another one maybe we were a little bit unlucky."

Watford have now failed to win in their last three home matches but Zola retains faith in his side.

"I don't have concerns. Of course we want to win all the games but I am delighted we are still in a position to play games like this," added Zola.

"We have no pressure. The pressure is on others.

"We are doing everything we can to be in the position where we are and to improve it so we don't have any pressure.

"If the others don't win the game then we'll see but we have to make sure we keep playing with the same enthusiasm and the same positivity we've had so far.

"We're going to try and win all the games and see what the others can do."

Jeff Hughes headed County in front inside the opening two minutes, but Kiwomya's side were dealt a major blow on the stroke of half-time when Andre Boucad was sent off after picking up a second booking for a trip on Harry Arter.

Bournemouth striker Brett Pitman scored for the sixth game in a row while in-form Matt Ritchie cored twice as the Cherries maintained their grip on second place.

County have now won only one of their last seven games, dashing any lingering hopes of a late charge for the play-offs.

Kiwomya said: "I'm very disappointed with the referee. I thought he spoiled the game.

"It could have been a very good game between two attacking teams, but he's giving out yellow cards. Their second goal followed a handling offence.

"We started off well. The goals we conceded could have been avoided.

"Playing with 10 men, it was a mental battle. It was a backs-to-the-wall job, but we played well and created chances. But you have to take them.

"If your not solid and determined, you could go down by five or six, but the lads stuck to it and were magnificent.

"I wanted to try and win the game, but then they scored their third goal."

Saddlers' midfielder Sam Mantom kicked the ball out of play so that an injured Blades player could receive attention after being hit in the face by the ball.

But instead of knocking the ball back to home goalkeeper Sam Johnstone when play resumed, Porter hammer the ball out of play near the corner flag and United went close to scoring.

Smith said: "That was disappointing. Their centre-forward decided not to give the ball back to us, which upset my players and that changed the momentum.

"The lad apologised to me as he came off at the end, but it would have been interesting if the shot they had soon after hadn't gone over the bar.

"In the dressing room there is a feeling amongst my players that they have got beat because of all the chances we had in the first half. We should have been out of sight. It was a really good performance and I'm disappointed we didn't get a win.

"But I have told the players theirs is a fantastic achievement and we still have something to play for with three games left. On another day Febian Brandy would have scored two or three goals."

Craig Westcarr gave Walsall a 44th-minute lead with a low shot from James Baxendale's cross.

But Brandy missed a hat-trick of decent chances before the Blades improved in the second half and grabbed a point when Kevin McDonald's shot was turned onto a post by Johnstone, and Porter tapped in the rebound.

Lee Holmes put North End ahead seven minutes before the break and Nicky Wroe doubled the advantage after 78 minutes after pouncing on goalkeeper Eirik Holmen Johansen's error.

Jack King sealed the win for the Lilywhites in stoppage time to leave them 10 points in front of fourth-bottom Scunthorpe, who have just four matches remaining.

"It's a win and three goals for the team that have been coming over the last few weeks," said Grayson, whose side have five games left to play.

Wroe's goal put Preston firmly in command and it all came from goalkeeper Johansen's poor clearance with the midfielder scoring from 40 yards out.

For Grayson it was the decisive goal and after reprimanding the 27-year-old for trying something similar earlier in the season, he was happy to be proved wrong.

"The second goal was a big one and kills the game off, then King got a goal and how we didn't get a couple more is astonishing," said Grayson. "I berated Nicky a few weeks ago for trying to score from the halfway line. He glanced over to me when he did score so full credit to his confidence and having a go.

"I've wanted the strikers to score. Jack's missed a couple of chances over the last couple of weeks so that'll do him the power of good.

"Any manager will say we're not mathematically safe but we've given ourselves a good opportunity, if we win the next one that'll secure our position regardless of what others do."

Grayson added: "Keith Keane's been struggling with a hernia and will have an operation sooner rather than later but you see, with or without the armband, he leads by example."

Brett Pitman scored for the sixth game in a row while in-form Matt Ritchie scored twice as the Cherries maintained their grip on second place.

County were dealt a major blow on the stroke of half-time when Andre Boucad was sent off after picking up a second booking for a trip on Harry Arter.

The win lifted Bournemouth five points clear of third-placed Yeovil, but Brentford and Sheffield United both have games in hand on the south-coast outfit.

Howe said: "I am really pleased that we've come from behind and won. It's not something we've done particularly well this season.

"Going behind so early was a real test for us. We scored at really good times and scored some great goals.

"Coming from behind and winning is a great confidence booster for us going into the remaining three games.

"I still put the other teams as favourites. They have the games in hand, they are the masters of their own destiny and we're still reliant on them. They're in the box seat. We've just got to keep winning if we can."

Goalkeeper Nicholls and defender Cameron were both culpable as Nahki Wells continued his hot streak against the Cobblers to seal victory for the hosts.

"We are talking about two very good young players who will go on to bigger and better things than League Two football," said Boothroyd. They have been magnificent for us.

"These things happen, but we will bounce back. We don't always win, but we always have a go. We have got beaten but we take it on the chin and move on and focus on a home game against York next Saturday.

"The two keepers kept their teams in it. There were two very physical teams out there and we knew this was going to be a difficult game. We know a lot about them and they know a lot about us.

"Bradford have performed brilliantly to defend their goal and Nahki Wells does brilliantly against us. He is certainly a player, who does very well for Bradford and I congratulate all who have turned this club around. Being from Bradford that pleases me, but not today.

"We have had two difficult away games at Cheltenham and here at Bradford lost them both - our results have not been good away from home."

The goal which settled this tough encounter was the Bermudan international's 19th of the season and his sixth in five matches between the teams, but Parkinson warned Bradford's leading scorer he would have to continue to play well to keep his place in the side.

It was Wells' first goal since Bradford's 2-2 draw at Fleetwood at the beginning of February and his manager said: "Nahki is looking sharp again.

"He has got his rewards for training well and a couple of good performances, but he has got to make sure he continues to produce his form because we have got players on bench chomping at the bit."

The result lifted Bradford to eighth place, two points off the play-offs with a match in hand after losing only one of 10 matches since they were beaten 5-0 by Swansea in the Capital One League Cup final.

Parkinson added: "Northampton are a very good side and we knew what they were going to do.

"We knew we had to be very strong and physical against them, but we also knew we had the quality to create opportunities. It was a high energy game and we were brave with their set pieces while trying to hit them on the counter attack.

"We should have scored a second goal and had some great chances to kill off the game, but we got the important goal and that was crucial for us.

"When you play against Northampton the two centre halves and the keeper are very important. We gave Andrew Davies the job of attacking the first ball and he was immense.

"There is a belief growing in the team, players are coming back into form and you can feel this in the dressing room. I don't think there are too many teams (who) can live with us physically in this division."