Royals slip to 8th place following evening matches
By Mark Sugar
April 6 2004
Reading have slipped to 8th place in the Nationwide League Division 1 following Wigan's 3-0 win over Gillingham at Priestfield.Sunderland sent Wimbledon to Division 2 after a 2-1 win while Rotherham remain in deep trouble following a 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace.
Reading have dropped 1 place to 8th following this evening's game in the Division.
In the game at Priestfield, Gillingham suffered another defeat as they were beaten 3-0 by Wigan Athletic. First half goals from Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts set Wigan on their way and then midway through the 2nd half, Alan Mahon finished the scoring to send Wigan up to 4th.
Rotherham remain in danger after being beaten by Iain Dowie's Crystal Palace 2-1 at Millmoor. 2 quick first half goals by first Julian Gray in the 9th minute then Neil Shipperley in the 27th minute gave the Eagles a 2 goal advantage. But a late strike by Michael Proctor wasn't enough to rescue a point.
In the final game, losing FA Cup Semi Finalists Sunderland put those bad memories of Old Trafford behind them as they beat Wimbledon 2-1 at the National Hockey Stadium, which has sent Wimbledon into the 2nd Division. They are the first club to be relegated in the country. Marcus Stewart put the Black Cats straight ahead in the 1st half before Malvin Kamera gave Wimbledon hope. But a 73rd minute striker by Darren Byfield kept the pressure on Norwich and West Browm.
| Played | Goal Difference | POINTS | ||
| 1 | Norwich | 39 | 29 | 76 |
| 2 | West Brom | 39 | 24 | 76 |
| 3 | Sunderland | 38 | 17 | 68 |
| 4 | Wigan Athletic | 40 | 15 | 65 |
| 5 | West Ham Utd | 40 | 15 | 63 |
| 6 | Millwall | 38 | 14 | 63 |
| 7 | Sheff Utd | 40 | 11 | 63 |
| 8 | Reading | 40 | -1 | 63 |
| 9 | Ipswich Town | 40 | 9 | 62 |
| 10 | Cardiff City | 39 | 13 | 58 |
| 11 | Crystal Palace | 39 | 4 | 57 |
| 12 | Coventry City | 40 | 9 | 55 |
| 13 | Preston | 40 | 3 | 55 |
| 14 | Stoke City | 39 | 1 | 55 |
| 15 | Nottm Forest | 40 | -1 | 48 |
| 16 | Crewe | 40 | -7 | 48 |
| 17 | Walsall | 40 | -10 | 48 |
| 18 | Rotherham Utd | 40 | -10 | 46 |
| 19 | Watford | 39 | -13 | 44 |
| 20 | Burnley | 39 | -14 | 44 |
| 21 | Gillingham | 40 | -18 | 44 |
| 22 | Derby County | 40 | -19 | 42 |
| 23 | Bradford City | 40 | -25 | 33 |
| 24 | Wimbledon | 39 | -46 | 21 |