On-loan trio Richard Wright, Zavon Hines and Kyel Reid had contrasting fortunes in action for their Championship clubs on Saturday afternoon.
Wright made his second appearance for Southampton but the goalkeeper was to have a frustrating afternoon as he could do little about Paul Parry's early goal for Cardiff City that decided the contest. The 1-0 away defeat leaves Saints just one point above the relegation zone and the next outing for the 30-year-old goalkeeper will come when Southampton welcome leaders Bristol City next Saturday afternoon.
Hines got his first run-out in league football as an 87th-minute substitute for fellow strugglers Coventry City at home against Plymouth Argyle. By that point, City were 3-1 up and the 19-year-old had little chance to make an impact - although there were five minutes of added time played. Having made his senior bow, Hines will hope for his first start at Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday, with Chris Coleman's men two points better off than Southampton
Reid was a half-time substitute for Crystal Palace and made a real impact despite their home game with Blackpool finishing goalless. The 20-year-old winger nearly scored with his very first touch and then, in the dying seconds, set up team-mate Ashley Robinson for a golden opportunity that the teenager spurned. Reid will hope to start when Palace go to second-placed Stoke City on Monday week.
Finally, 19-year-old striker Jack Jeffery endured a disappointing afternoon for Cambridge United on his seventh appearance for the Conference high-fliers as they came up short with a 3-0 home defeat by Kidderminster Harriers. Jeffery, into the second month on loan at the Abbey Stadium, played the first 75 minutes before coming off. Cambridge, despite the loss, remain in the play-off positions.