A roundup of today's other soccer stories:
Partick live to fight another day
KRIS BOYD could not see Rangers safely through to the last four of the Scottish FA Cup as Partick Thistle earned a draw at Ibrox last night.
The striker came to the rescue to level Damon Gray's opener but could not find the goal to kill off the battling First Division outfit.
Both teams now have to do it all again in the replay at Firhill to earn the right to face St Johnstone in the semi-finals.
Ibrox was stunned into silence when Partick surged into the lead after 67 minutes.
Grant Harkins slipped a ball through to Gray who fired past Allan McGregor from inside the box.
Rangers were back on level terms just two minutes later. Thistle goalkeeper Jonathan Tuffey was forced to parry from one of his own defenders, sparking a goalmouth scramble with Boyd lurking to bundle home at the far post.
Viduka happy with life at St James'
MARK VIDUKA has laughed off talk of a rift between himself and manager Kevin Keegan.
The 32-year-old Australia international (right) made his first Premier League start since January 2nd at Birmingham on Monday night and helped Newcastle United end a four-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw.
It was Viduka's stern countenance as he sat on the bench as an unused substitute during the 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa on February 9th which sparked speculation that the former Middlesbrough marksman was not happy at St James' Park.
However, Viduka said: "It's funny when you hear stories like that - it is totally untrue. The manager has been very positive towards me and I just want to play for him."
Police raid Birmingham
OFFICERS INVESTIGATING football corruption raided Birmingham City yesterday, police confirmed. The early-morning swoop on the Premier League club was carried out by City of London Police. A spokesperson for the force said: "We can confirm that officers from the City of London Police executed a search warrant at a premises."
The spokesperson denied the raid was connected to the Lord Stevens inquiry into illicit payments to football agents.
Birmingham said they were "co-operating fully" with police and stressed that the inquiry relates to a third party, unconnected to the club.
Cardiff let-off
FA CUP semi-finalists Cardiff City have been rescued from the brink of financial disaster.
A British high court judge yesterday rejected Swiss investment bank Langston's bid to secure immediate repayment of up to €30 million loaned to the club in 2004. Langston is suing the club over loan notes which it holds and had sought "summary judgment" - meaning the club would have to pay now.
But Mr Justice Briggs, sitting in London, dismissed the bank's claim and consequently the case will go forward to a full trial of the complex issues involved - although both parties will work towards an out-of-court settlement before that happens.
The English Championship club, who face Barnsley in the FA Cup semi-finals next month, had faced possible administration if Langston succeeded in its claim.
