Hughton hails Doyle as play-off place secured

Aidan Fitzmaurice

CHRIS HUGHTON is delighted with the former of Irish keeper Colin Doyle after he helped Birmingham City secure a place in the play-offs.

Corkman Doyle saved a penalty from Ian Harte as City beat title-winners Reading on the final day of the Championship season on Saturday, a key part of a 2-0 win for Birmingham, who had Dubliner Adam Rooney on target.

"I thought Doyler was super again," said Hughton. "He's a big frame in that goal but you've also got to guess the right way. It was a big save because Ian Harte doesn't miss too many penalties, it galvanised the crowd and it gave them a big lift which we felt," he added as Birmingham prepare to face Blackpool in the play-off semi-final.

Irish pair praised by Dons' chief Robinson

MK DONS boss Karl Robinson has heaped praise on his Irish midfield duo of Stephen Gleeson and Darren Potter.

The Dons are still in with a chance of promotion to the Championship via the play-offs, and their Irish contingent of Gleeson, Potter, Shaun Williams and Jay O'Shea have all played a big part in their success.

Former Galway United man O'Shea scored in Saturday's 2-1 win over Rochdale while the form of Gleeson and Potter - both capped at senior level - was recognised when they were named in the divisional team of the year in the PFA awards.

"Throughout the year people have doubted Stephen and questioned his mentality, and questioned what I was doing bringing in Darren at the start of the season," said Robinson.

"Stephen Glesson is a tremendous playera and Darren does his talking with his feet, he's a mild-mannered character and he goes about his business well."

Magpie Judge drives Notts' promotion push

IRELAND U21 cap Alan Judge is doing all he can to try and drive Notts County into the promotion play-offs and into the Championship.

Dubliner Judge scored twice on Saturday as Notts County beat Wycombe Wanderers 4-3, Notts coming from 3-2 down in the last minute to win thanks to an injury-time wonder goal from Judge, taking his tally for the season to seven goals in 47 games, and County now have a chance of a top-six finish, which would get the club into the play-offs.

"This club deserves success and if that means we get to the play-offs, then so be it," said the winger, a son of former Bray Wanderers star Dermot Judge.

"We'd love to get there for the supporters, because they've had a hard time over the last three or four years, it would be something great for them, and me personally, to get there," added Judge, who joined the Magpies from Blackburn Rovers.