Championship Round-Up: Burnley close in on top two, Bolton win to leave Charlton rock-bottom

Middlesbrough missed the chance to go top of the Championship on Saturday after drawing 1-1 with Blackburn. The hosts are now level on 56 points with Hull City, but had to come from behind to rescue a point.

New signing Jordi Gomez, on loan from Sunderland, put Rovers ahead on his debut with a terrific 20-yard strike with just 20 minutes left to play which looked to have sealed an unlikely victory for the visitors. Until David Nugent grabbed a late equaliser with a solid header from Emilio Nsue’s cross.

Burnley closed the gap on leaders Hull to just a point with a 1-0 win over the Tigers as Sam Vokes scored the game’s only goal with just over ten minutes remaining. The striker was on hand to net the rebound after Joey Barton’s shot was saved by Allan McGregor.

Brighton comfortably overcame Brentford on Friday night with a 3-0 victory. Anthony Knockaert scored his first goal for the Seagulls with an acute finish, which was followed up by efforts from Tomer Hemed and Jamie Murphy.

Israel international Tomer Hemed netted his seventh league goal of the season in Brighton’s 3-0 win over Brentford.

Bolton climbed off the bottom of the table with a dramatic 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Rotherham to move within three points of safety. Jay Spearing gave the Trotters the lead before Chris Burke levelled the scores. The Trotters then clinched all three points in stoppage-time when Kaiyne Woolery scored his first league goal for the club.

Bristol City climbed up to 20th with a narrow 1-0 win over Charlton who are now bottom of the Championship. Lee Tomlin’s penalty in the first-half was the difference as the Addicks failed to create any clear-cut chances.

Sheffield Wednesday came from a goal behind to win 2-1 at Birmingham after Clayton Donaldson had put the hosts in the lead. Gary Hooper’s late brace means the Owls have now gone six games unbeaten and are now just six points off top spot.

Preston beat Huddersfield 2-1 with all three of the game’s goals incredibly coming within the last ten minutes. Nahki Wells’ smart finish put the Terriers ahead, before Joel Lynch turned the ball into his own net. The hosts then netted their dramatic winner in the 91st minute through Alan Browne.

Derby’s miserable winless run has now been extended to seven matches as they drew 1-1 at Fulham. Rams defender Marcus Olsson’s own goal put the Cottagers in the lead, but a Craig Bryson volley before half-time meant it was a point apiece.

Nottingham Forest’s rich vein of form continued with a 1-0 win over Leeds, seeing Dougie Freedman’s men extend their unbeaten streak to 13 games without defeat. Nelson Oliveira’s eighth goal of the season was enough to separate the two sides as he turned in Eric Lichaj’s cross.

QPR left it late to beat Ipswich as Matt Phillips’ header won the game 1-0 for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s men who are now unbeaten in five matches. Debutant Nasser El Khayati’s cross was turned in by the Scotland winger at the back post.

Meanwhile Reading drew 0-0 with Wolves as the Royals’ goalless run continues as they have failed to score in each of their last five games.

Whilst Cardiff drew 0-0 at home to MK Dons in a match that created little chances and leaves the hosts five points off of the play-offs.

Player of the Weekend: Gary Hooper (Sheffield Wednesday)
Team of the Weekend: Bolton
Goal of the Weekend: Craig Bryson (Fulham vs DERBY)