Harry Souttar helped Fleetwood Town keep another clean sheet in a crucial 1-0 win at Ipswich to boost his side’s promotion hopes in League One.
A first-half goal from striker Ched Evans was enough for Joey Barton’s side as they jumped into the play-off places with a gritty win on the road.
Like he has been almost all season for Fleetwood, Souttar was a rock at the back and made a number of vital interceptions and clearances in another excellent 90 minutes from the Socceroos centre-back.
Fleetwood had to absorb concerted pressure from the home side late on but held firm to extend their unbeaten run in the league to 10 matches.
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They have now jumped up to sixth position and just four points outside automatic promotion, with a game in hand on second-place Rotherham United.
Fleetwood are back at home on Sunday (2am AEDT) when they take on mid-table Blackpool.
Meanwhile, Mustafa Amini’s AGF Aarhus advanced to the Semi Finals of the Danish Cup after a resounding 4-1 win at Esbjerg.
AGF, who are currently third in the Superliga, were too strong for the hosts, scoring twice in each half to cruise to the quarter final victory.
Mustapha Bundu struck twice in the first half for AGF and while the hosts pulled one back just before the hour mark, a late double from Bror Blume iced the result for the visitors.
It’s the 16th time in the club’s history that AGF have made the Semi Finals of the Danish Cup, advancing to the final on 12 occasions.
They have won the competition nine times, the last back in 1996.
Amini started and played 83 minutes for David Nielsen’s side, while fellow Aussie Alex Gersbach was an unused substitute.
AGF next return to league action with a trip to Silkeborg on Tuesday morning, kicking off at 5am (AEDT).
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In Scotland, there was no derby delight for Martin Boyle as Hibernian lost 3-1 at home against Hearts in the Edinburgh Derby.
While Boyle was one of Hibs’ best, especially in an end-to-end first-half, the visitors took the initiative after the break.
Australian international Oliver Bozanic was one of Hearts’ scorers, curling in a classy effort high into the net to double his side’s lead Sean Clare’s opener.
Conor Washington then made it 3-0 before a late consolation to substitute Melker Hallberg salvaged some pride for Hibernian.
Hibs – who booked their spot in the Semi Finals of the Scottish FA Cup on the weekend – remain sixth in the SPL ahead of a trip to Aberdeen on Sunday (2am AEDT).
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