Irish strikers Alan Lee, Sean McClare and Richard Sadlier all scored their first goals of the season for their respective Nationwide clubs last night.

Former Aston Villa striker Alan Lee, who is on loan at Rotherham from Burnley, staked a claim for a permanent contract at the club with his first goal of the season and his seventh career goal. He hit Rotherham's fourth in a 4-2 win against Swansea last night.

Rotherham took Lee on a month's loan from Burnley and went back to the First Division club to get a month's extension. His form for Rotherham since he joined has had manager Ronny Moore delighted and Lee could easily earn a contract with the club after his displays.

Elsewhere, Sean McClare gave Barnsley an early lead against Wolves at Oakwell last night when he swooped on a parry from Michael Oakes after eight minutes to shoot home from close range.

Barnsley expected to go on and take all three points but this was not to happen as Wolves hit back with two goals to take the win.

Best news of all from an Irish point of view is the return to form of Richard Sadlier.

Sadlier has never had any problems scoring for his club, Millwall, but having spent nearly three months in the treatment room after injuring his arm in pre-season, the Republic of Ireland u21 international is back and doing what he does best. Good to see!

Sadlier has been eased back into action over the last two weeks by manager Mark McGhee but he started last night against Swindon at the County Ground and repaid the faith shown in him by scoring the only two goals of the game.

He broke the deadlock three minutes before the interval when he got to a parry from Swindon goalkeeper Bart Griemink and slotted the ball home.

He then wrapped up the points in the second half when top goalscorer Neil Harris picked him out with a pinpoint pass.