GRAHAM Taylor won only the third championship of his long managerial career thanks to Watford's win over Fulham, while Bristol City went down at Preston. The picture in the play-offs and at the bottom was settled by Bristol Rovers' win over Brentford, which left Rovers in with a shot at Wembley while Brentford slipped down while Burnley survive. Watford, trailing on goals scored at the start of the day, needed a slip from Bristol City if they were to take the trophy by getting a better result at Fulham. It was Preston Taylor was relying on for favours, a team playing for nothing but pride, but they showed plenty, taking the lead against City after five minutes from Lee Ashcroft. Though Bristol briefly went back on top with an equaliser after nine minutes from Sean McCarthy, 60 seconds later North End's lead was restored by David Eyres. When Watford themselves took the lead through Gifton Noel-Williams after 35 minutes, it was looking good for the Hornets. Peter Beardsley, though, on loan from Bolton, brought the home team level just after the hour. Fulham needed a draw to be sure of a play-off spot, but were left sweating after Jason Lee's goal for Watford 19 minutes from time. With no further score in either match, Watford could celebrate, Bristol City could console themselves with promotion while Fulham, after checking other results, at least knew they were still in the play-offs. The only change in the play-off picture was that Bristol Rovers replaced Gillingham. The Gills were at home to Wigan, but were unable to score. Their 0-0 draw was not enough to give them a play-off place, as goals from Jamie Cureton (51) and Barry Hayles (84) gave Rovers a 2-1 win over Brentford. Kevin Rapley levelled on 79 minutes, but Brentford needed to score again to stay up, and were caught out. The reason for Brentford's demise was Burnley's 2-1 win over Plymouth. Both teams started the day in the relegation zone, but two goals from Andy Cooke on 12 and 41 minutes gave them that precious win, though Plymouth were level for 16 minutes after Mark Saunders' 25th minute strike. Burnley surrendered a 3-1 lead at Oldham in mid-week, but this time hung on and after spending practically the whole season in the drop zone escaped in the nick of time. Afterwards Chris Waddle was a relieved man: It's been a long season and can I feel it! We had enough chances to win well, but made hard work of it. But the atmosphere and the performances were good and everybody did their job. Has management gone how I expected…? Oh yeah, I planned to get involved in a relegation battle. Still, hopefully onwards and upwards for next season. Northampton preserved their play-off chances with a 0-0 draw at York, but Wrexham missed out in spite of a 3-1 win at Southend. Jeroen Boere gave the relegated home team the lead, but Peter Ward (43 and 86) and Carl Conolly (72) gave the Welshmen a win, albeit in vain. They, like Gillingham, finished level with Fulham on points, but the Cottagers' goals scored column secured their place in the play-offs. Grimsby were already there, but will be unhappy to have signed off their regular season with a 2-0 home defeat to Oldham, both goals coming from Ronnie Jepson. In the mid-table matches, the only incident of note was at Millwall, where a pitch invasion held up play as Bournemouth came home 2-1 winners.

DIVISION THREE ROUND-UP   Torquay United must get back on the horse and prepare for a play-off semi-final after losing their automatic promotion place to Lincoln. The Devon side trailed from the sixth minute at Orient, to Dean Smith's penalty, and fell further behind thanks to Craig Maskell after 24 minutes. In spite of getting a goal back from Andy MacFarlane with 13 minutes left they could not get the point they required to be safe. Lincoln took full advantage, with two goals in three minutes just before the hour at home to Brighton, from Terry Fleming and Lee Thorpe. The Imps' biggest crowd this decade - 9,890 - cheered them home, in spite of Richard Barker's last minute consolation. At one point it looked as though Barnet were going to miss out on the play-offs, as they trailed and indeed lost to Rochdale. Andy Gouck and Robbie Painter's first half goals were enough, and Barnet only replied in the 90th minute through Scott McGleish. But Rotherham were unable to take advantage. They led 1-0 and were level at 2-2 with 20 minutes left at champions Notts County, but needing a win had to push forward against confident opponents and eventually lost 5-2. Macclesfield celebrated their promotion with a 3-1 win at Exeter, while Colchester warmed up for the play-offs with a 1-0 win at Doncaster. This game was interrupted by a demonstration by home fans, upset not just at their relegation, but the way the club is run. They go into the Conference with little optimism but perhaps they can take comfort from Macclesfield's form, and that of Lincoln. The Imps were the first team relegated automatically from the league, in 1986 but bounced straight back.

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