Loan watch and ex-Blues: crucial win for Nugent and Annan

Carlisle United’s loanees saw their respective Scottish League One clubs both take a step towards survival.

Kai Nugent came off the bench as Annan Athletic claimed a second successive win in their fight to beat the drop.

The teenager was introduced by manager Peter Murphy in the 82nd minute as Annan won 2-1 at already-relegated Edinburgh City.

His 25th appearance of a season-long loan spell came after Matty Douglas and Aidan Smith had struck after Annan had gone behind to Olly McDonald’s penalty.

Annan are now two points clear of ninth – the position they need to avoid to escape needing the play-offs in order to survive.

Their remaining games see the Galabankies take on unbeaten champions Falkirk before a potentially pivotal last-day showdown with Stirling Albion.

The latter are ninth after a stalemate with Queen of the South, for whom United defender Max Kilsby was an unused substitute.

Though Queens failed to put serious distance between themselves and Stirling, the goalless draw leaves the Doonhamers three points above ninth with two games to go, manager Marvin Bartley leaving Kilsby out after a run of starts for the left-sided defender.

Carlisle’s other young loanees both started for Workington Reds in their penultimate game of the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Sam Hetherington and Jake Allan were in Danny Grainger’s XI for their trip to Macclesfield.

Hetherington played the full game and Allan was replaced in the 66th minute as Reds fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the promotion-chasers, Reds now 16th with one league game to go.

A host of ex-Blues were in the thick of the weekend action, meanwhile.

In the Championship a late goal from Jerry Yates featured in Swansea City’s 4-0 win at Huddersfield Town.

Andy Cook scored for Bradford City as the Bantams came from behind to win 3-2 at Walsall in League Two.

In the National League, Tristan Abrahams was on target for Maidenhead United in their 3-2 defeat at champions Chesterfield.

Olufela Olomola hit Bromley’s consolation in their 2-1 defeat at the hands of play-off rivals Gateshead.

In National League North, Nathaniel Knight-Percival’s goal helped Tamworth to a 3-0 win at Banbury United.

Shaun Brisley’s goal saw Alfreton Town claim a 1-0 win at Scarborough Athletic.

In NPL Premier, veteran defender Simon Grand struck the winner for Bamber Bridge as they defeated Whitby Town 3-2.

NPL West saw Jake Jervis score in Hednesford Town’s 3-1 defeat at Clitheroe.

And in the League of Ireland there was a goal for Maleace Asamoah – son of Derek – as Waterford drew 1-1 at St Patrick’s Athletic.

In the Premier League, meanwhile, Jarrad Branthwaite started for Everton on Sunday as they claimed a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

And there were mixed emotions for Callum O'Hare, who scored in Coventry City's 3-3 comeback draw against Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final but then had a penalty saved in the shoot-out as the Sky Blues fell agonisingly short.