In the English Premier League, Mark Schwarzer played a full game as Fulham conceded a stoppage time goal to lose 1-0 to Newcastle United. Schwarzer made a series of fine saves in the second half, including a gutsy block at Papiss Cisse’s feet before the Senegalese international beat Schwarzer from close range in injury time.

Adam Federici returned from injury, playing a full game as Reading slipped closer to relegation following a 2-0 home loss to lowly Southampton. Controversy surrounded Southampton’s opening goal as Federici appeared to be fouled by the goal-scorer Jay Rodriguez, however the goal stood, with Federici coming under criticism from some quarters for not being brave enough in the collision.

Brett Holman was an unused substitute as Aston Villa boosted their survival chances with a 3-1 win over Stoke City, a result which saw Villa jump out of the bottom three. Chris Herd missed the clash with a foot injury.

Brad Jones was an unused substitute as Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by West Ham United.

In the Championship, Shane Lowry played 90 minutes in defence as Millwall drew 1-1 with Birmingham City. Neil Kilkenny was a 78th minute substitute as Bristol City’s Championship status was left hanging by a thread following a 3-1 loss to Burnley.

Mile Jedinak played 90 minutes in midfield as Crystal Palace’s poor form continued, drawing 0-0 with lowly Barnsley, leaving their automatic promotion hopes all but over. Rhys Williams played a full game as Middlesbrough’s horrific form continued, losing 1-0 to Hull City. Scott McDonald was a 67th minute substitute in the game and went close to equalising late for Boro with a clever back-heel, only for David Stockdale to deny him with a superb save.

Elsewhere, Patrick Kisnorbo was an unused substitute as Ipswich Town beat Derby County 1-0, while Seb Usai watched on from the bench as Blackburn lost 3-2 to Sheffield Wednesday.

In League One, Dean Bouzanis played a full game in goal as Oldham Athletic remained on the brink of the relegation zone following a 2-1 loss to Carlisle United. James Wesolowski played 90 minutes in midfield for Oldham, while Alex Cisak was an unused substitute.

Elsewhere, Bailey Wright played 90 minutes as Preston North End thumped Scunthorpe 3-0.

In the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final, Bradden Inman played 68 minutes as Crewe Alexandra secured some silverware with a 2-0 win over Southend United.

In League Two, James Meredith played a full game as Bradford City beat Northampton Town 1-0, while Shane Cansdell-Sherriff played 90 minutes as Rochdale beat Fleetwood Town 3-0. Elsewhere, Aaron Downes played a full game in defence as Torquay United lost 1-0 to Gillingham.

In Scotland, Tom Rogic was a 78th minute substitute and had a handful of tidy touches in his limited time on the pitch as Celtic beat Hibernian 3-0.

Elsewhere, Alex Baird was an unused substitute as Dundee FC beat Kilmarnock 2-1, while Dylan McGowan was an unused substitute as Hearts beat Ross County 4-2.

In the Scottish Second Division, Marc Warren was a 66th minute substitute as bottom placed Airdrie United lost 5-2 to Greenock Morton. Warren scored an unfortunate own-goal in the dying minutes, with his header deflecting into the back of the net to cap off a poor day for Airdrie.

In Ireland, Mark Griffin was an 80th minute substitute as Derry City thumped Bohemians 4-0.

In the German Bundesliga, Robbie Kruse played a full game as Fortuna Dusseldorf were thumped 3-0 by relegation rivals Hoffenheim. Kruse was virtually Dusseldorf’s only creative outlet and put in a fine cross just before half-time which was headed wide Axel Bellinghausen. Kruse had a couple of half-chances in the second half but saw his shots on goal blocked on both occasions.

Mitch Langerak made a rare appearance for Borussia Dortmund in their 4-2 win over Augsburg. With Dortmund resting a handful of their stars in the midst of their Champions League quarter-final, Langerak made his second league appearance of the season and was beaten by a stunning volley by Daniel Baier late in the first half. Moments later, Augsburg took a shock lead when Langerak parried Tobias Werner’s shot on goal straight into the danger zone where Kevin Vogt arrived to score. Langerak did atone for his earlier error with a fine save in the second half to deny Ji Dong Won’s shot which seemed destined for the top corner.

Elsewhere, Nikita Rukavytsya was absent from the match-day squad as FSV Mainz lost 2-1 to Nurnberg.

In the German Second Division, Mathew Leckie had a lively cameo off the bench, providing two assists in FSV Frankfurt’s 4-1 win over Jahn Regensburg. Leckie, who came on in the 66th minute, sealed the game for Frankfurt with a clever run and lay-off to Edmond Kapllani who finished well. Leckie was fouled in the box just moments later which Kapllani confidently dispatched.

In the German Third Division, Mustafa Amini started and played 71 minutes as Borussia Dortmund II 1-0 loss to Chemnitzer FC.

In the Dutch Eredivisie, Tommy Oar started and played 64 minutes in FC Utrecht’s 1-0 win over ADO Den Haag. Oar had a lively shift and tested ADO ‘keeper Gino Coutinho twice in the first half and also provided a great chance for Jacob Mulenga with a dangerous cross, however the Zambian headed the chance wide. Michael Zullo was an unused substitute while Adam Sarota missed the clash through injury.

Elsewhere, Jason Davidson was missing from the Heracles side that were thumped 4-0 by Ajax, while Travis Cooper was absent from the match-day squad as VVV Venlo lost 1-0 to Feyenoord.

In the Italian Serie A, James Troisi was an unused substitute as Atalanta produced a stunning performance to beat Inter Milan 4-3.

In the Serie B, Carl Valeri was absent through injury as Sassuolo continued their late season stutter, losing 3-2 to Novara. Sassuolo are still 6 points clear at the top of the table but are now four games without a win.

In Austria, James Holland started but was replaced after 65 minutes as Austria Wien suffered a shock 4-0 home loss to mid-table Wolfsberger AC.

In Denmark, Brent McGrath was an unused substitute as Brondby beat Randers 1-0.

In the Greek Super League, Giannis Simosis was an unused substitute as AO Kerkyra lost 2-1 to Levadiakos.

In Turkey, Kerem Bulut started his first game for Akhisar Belediyespor, playing 76 minutes in their 1-0 win over Trabzonspor. Bulut went close to scoring in the second half but saw his powerful diagonal shot well saved by ‘keeper Onor Kivrak. Akhisar are three points from safety with six games to go.

In Portugal, Caleb Patterson-Sewell was an unused substitute as Vitoria Setubal lost 2-1 to Rio Ave.

In Russia, Luke Wilkshire was an unused substitute as Dinamo Moscow drew 1-1 with Amkar Perm. Wilkshire may find it tough breaking back into the side with Dinamo unbeaten in their past nine league matches.

In the Chinese Super League, Erik Paartalu scored his first goal for Tianjin Teda in their 2-1 loss to Shandong Luneng. The former Brisbane Roar midfielder thought he’d earned his side a share of the points, getting on the end of a free-kick to head past the Shandong ‘keeper on 87 minutes, only for Shandong to score the winning goal just moments later. Ryan McGowan played 90 minutes in the centre of defence and put in another good display despite Shandong conceding their first goal of the season.

Elsewhere, Rostyn Griffiths returned to the Guangzhou R&F starting line-up, playing 90 minutes in midfield in their 1-1 draw with Qingdao Jonoon, while Michael Marrone played a full game as Shanghai Shenxin drew 1-1 with Liaoning Huyong.

Matt McKay played a full game in midfield as Changchun Yatai lost 2-0 to Shanghai East Asia.

In Korea, Eddy Bosnar returned to the Suwon Bluewings starting line-up, playing 90 minutes as Suwon beat Daegu FC 3-1. Robert Cornthwaite played a full game in defence as Chunnam Dragons drew 1-1 with Gangwon FC, Matt Simon was absent from the Chunnam match-day squad.

Alex Wilkinson and Adrian Madaschi were unused substitute for their respective sides as Wilkinson’s Jeonbuk Motors beat Madaschi’s Jeju United 2-1.

Nathan Burns was absent from the match-day squad as Incheon United drew 1-1 with Pohang Steelers, while Luke Devere was absent through injury as Gyeongnam drew 1-1 with Daejeon Citizen.

In Japan, Josh Kennedy was absent as Nagoya Grampus drew 3-3 with Kashiwa Reysol.

In the Qatar Stars League, Harry Kewell made his debut for Al Gharafa, coming on in the 82nd minute as they lost 1-0 to Al Sadd. Midfielder Mark Bresciano remained out with a knee injury.

In the UAE, Richard Porta played 77 minutes as Dubai beat Dubba Al Fujairah 1-0, while Dino Djulbic played a full game in defence as Al Wahda drew 1-1 with Al Wasl.

Elsewhere, Alex Brosque was a 63rd minute substitute as Al Ain drew 0-0 with Al Ahli, while Nick Carle played the final 12 minutes of Baniyas’ 1-0 win over Al Shabab.

In Iran, Milan Susak played a full game in defence as Sepahan beat Naft Tehran 3-1.

In India, striker Tolgay Ozbey scored a brace as Mohun Bagan thumped Sporting Goa 5-1.