Northern Ireland striker Lee Bonis made it nine goals in 11 games after opening the scoring for Chesterfield in their 2-0 Boxing Day victory over near neighbours Notts County in League Two.
The former Portadown and Larne man, who joined the Spireites for an undisclosed fee in the summer, broke the deadlock midway through the second half to take his tally for the campaign to eleven.
Also on target over the Christmas period was former Dungannon Swifts and Glentoran midfielder Terry Devlin, who gave Portsmouth the lead on the stroke of half-time with his third goal of the season, making him the club’s second top scorer this term.
In the Premier League, Conor Bradley was used as a second-half substitute as Liverpool beat bottom-placed Wolves 2-1 at Anfield, and Justin Devenny came in for only his second league start of the season as Crystal Palace went down 1-0 at home to Spurs.
Trai Hume started at right-back for Sunderland in their hard-earned 1-1 draw at home to an in-form Leeds United, though Daniel Ballard was absent from the Black Cats’ line-up due to an ankle injury.
“He got a kick against Brighton and was not available today,” said Sunderland boss Reis Le Bris. “He has had a first scan. But because he still feels pain, we have to explore it a bit more.”
Meanwhile, in the Championship, Ruari McConville started his seventh straight game for struggling Norwich City, who picked up a valuable three points following a 1-0 home win over Charlton Athletic.
Goalkeeper Pierce Charles provided a superb assist for Sheffield Wednesday’s first goal in their 2-2 draw at home to Hull City. At the same time Northern Ireland U19 international Devlan Moses was named in the Owl’s match-day squad for the first time.
Former Linfield youngster Aodhan Doherty was also called up for the first time to the Blackburn Rovers squad for the goalless draw at home to Middlesbrough.
Preston North End welcomed back Ali McCann, who made his first start for the Lilywhites since breaking his arm last October, while Jamal Lewis played the final few minutes as a substitute following his return from a hamstring injury.
In League One, Bailey Peacock-Farrell kept his fifth clean sheet of the season in Blackpool’s 1-0 win at home to Doncaster Rovers. However striker Dale Taylor lasted only six minutes of that game before being forced to come off with a suspected metatarsal injury.
Finally, midfielder Oisin Smyth, who is on loan at Partick Thistle from St Mirren this season, was sent off for a second bookable offence as the Jags drew 2-2 at Queen’s Parkin the Scottish Championship.
