Ridsdale lines up change despite winning formula

Barnsley, taken over by the former Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale last week, went to the top of the Nationwide Second Division with a 2-0 win at Chesterfield, who have yet to win a match this season. Despite the Tykes' fine unbeaten start, Ridsdale is said to be ready to ditch manager Gudjon Thordarson and appoint Steve Cotterill, the former Sunderland coach and Cheltenham manager, who, oddly enough, replaced Thordarson at Stoke in 2002.

Port Vale, the former leaders, drew 2-2 at Stockport but the efforts of Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday to return to the First Division at the first attempt gained momentum. The Owls' 2-0 win over Tranmere at Hillsborough lifted them to second, but Steve Coppell's side were held to a 2-2 draw by visitors Swindon Town. Fourth-placed Queen's Park Rangers were also held 2-2 at Colchester United.

The onerous financial situation in which Notts County find themselves - nearly 450 days in administration, takeover stalled, closure imminent - has been blamed for the team's poor start to the season. But the Magpies came from behind at Meadow Lane to earn their second point of the season in a 1-1 draw with Luton Town. It might have been their final league match. Elsewhere, Wycombe had Frank Talia and Chris Vinnicombe sent off as they lost 2-0 at Rushden & Diamonds.

Oxford United, the only unbeaten side in the Third Division, went top when they defeated Southend United 2-0 at the Kassam Stadium, previous leaders Swansea losing 2-0 at Yeovil. And Carlisle United stay bottom after losing 2-0 at Darlington, Barry Conlon scoring both goals.

In the Conference, leaders Hereford won 5-0 at Farnborough and there was a rout of another kind at Scarborough. Visitors Gravesend had goalkeeper Alex Reilly and Steve McKimm sent off in the first 18 minutes, Justin Skinner went after 57, they fell behind to a 63rd-minute penalty and lost 2-0.