Southampton (h) 3-1

Match 559: 24-11-1979: Division 1

Southampton`s ploy of using three central defenders - Watson, Waldron and Nicholl - in a back five misfired badly as Town tore them to shreds. Only Peter Wells saved Saints from going further behind as Eric Gates created constant problems. Town were awarded a penalty for Dave Watson`s 86th minute challenge on Paul Mariner but, with John Wark having been substituted minutes earlier, Mariner himself blasted the spot kick over the bar. Wark`s replacement was Mich D`Avray, the 17-year-old South African making his debut. More

Derby County (a) 1-0

Match 558: 17-11-1979: Division 1

Town had shuffled their line up many times in an effort to find a winning combination, and against Derby they looked compact throughout, with Terry Butcher thriving in central defence and Eric Gates playing off the strikers. They gained a vital and deserved win over fellow-strugglers County with a classic goal. Gates robbed Keith Osgood on the halfway line, sent John Wark away on the right and Wark`s low, hard cross was headed home by Paul Mariner. More

Aston Villa (h) 0-0

Match 557: 10-11-1979: Division 1

George Burley robbed David Geddis of his first goal for Villa, blocking his shot on the line in the closing minutes of the first half, and Russell Osman was fortunate not to concede a penalty for a 50th minute challenge on Brian Little. For Town, John Wark struck a post in the 84th minute from a fine Arnold Muhren pass. Otherwise there was little to excite the crowd.  More

Grasshoppers Zurich (h) 1-1

Match 556: 7-11-1979: UEFA Cup 2nd Round, 2nd Leg

Territorially Town controlled an uninspiring tie, but they failed to convert their superiority into goals and went out of the competition on the away goals rule. Paul Mariner missed the best chance to put Town through when he directed a free header straight at goalkeeper Roger Berbig in the 82nd minute. More

Nottingham Forest (a) 0-2

Match 555: 3-11-1979: Division 1

In a dour struggle Trevor Francis scored twice to give second-in-the-table Forest the points. The first was a simple tap-in after Larry Lloyd`s header hit a post, the second came when he turned on a Tony Woodcock cross to fire home. Eric Gates thought he had given Town a 40th minute lead but he was penalised, apparently for dangerous play on Peter Shilton. More