Date: 20th April 2016 at 1:18pm
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Middlesbrough remain in pole position to win the Championship after they drew 1-1 in their top-of-the-table clash with Burnley.

It was first against second at Turf Moor with both teams needing maximum points in the race for automatic promotion. It was Boro who looked to have picked up the vital victory when Jordan Rhodes netted his third goal in two games, however Michael Keane was the Clarets’ hero – his injury-time equaliser earned Sean Dyche’s side a draw and keeps the Clarets in second place. Aitor Karanka’s side maintain their two-point cushion at the summit.

Brighton continued their recent good form with a convincing 4-0 win over QPR. Two goals from Anthony Knockaert and one apiece from Jiri Skalak and Connor Goldson gave the Seagulls their fourth straight victory. Chris Hughton’s side are now 11 games without loss and sit in third, only behind Burnley on goal difference.

Hull City picked up momentum in their push for promotion with a 2-1 win away at Reading.

The hosts opened the scoring inside five minutes when Jake Cooper found the back of the net. Abel Hernandez’s 18th league goal of the season brought the Tigers level, before Andrew Robertson’s strike earned all three points. Steve Bruce’s side, who are guaranteed a play-off spot, stand eight points behind the top two with four games to go. A fourth successive defeat keeps the Royals in 15th.

Derby are another team in form heading into the play-offs after they came from behind to defeat Bristol City 3-2. The Robins went in 2-1 up at half time, but the Rams were soon level after the interval courtesy of Craig Bryson. Tom Ince netted the winner just before the hour-mark, and Darren Wassall’s side held on for their fourth win in a row to stay in fifth and confirm a top six finish. Lee Johnson’s side drop to 21st but only need a point to avoid relegation.

18 July 2015 - Pre-Season Friendly - Northampton Town v Derby County - Tom Ince of Derby County - Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Tom Ince scored the winner as Derby beat Bristol City at Ashton Gate. Photo: Marc Atkins/Offside.

Sheffield Wednesday moved closer to earning a play-off spot with a 0-0 draw at home with the MK Dons. The point for the Owls, who had Ross Wallace dismissed late in the second half, keeps them in sixth with a six-point cushion over seventh-placed Cardiff. For Karl Robinson’s side, the draw only makes their bid for survival even harder. The Dons are now nine points from safety with three games to go and could be relegated on Saturday at home to Brentford.

Charlton confirmed their drop to League One with a 0-0 draw against already-relegated Bolton. Neither side could find the net and must prepare themselves for a season in the third tier of English football.

Four sides moved themselves to within a point of safety with draws last night.

Rotherham have almost completed their great escape under Neil Warnock drawing 1-1 at home with Huddersfield. Nahki Wells levelled for the Terriers after Greg Halford had given the hosts the lead. A tenth game without defeat has put the Millers up to 20th and on the verge of avoiding the drop.

Fulham’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich leaves them almost able to celebrate, but a late equaliser keeps the party on hold for another week. Moussa Dembele’s 17th goal of the season had the Cottagers heading for victory until Jonas Knudsen’s levelled in injury-time. The west London side need just a point from their last three games to guarantee their Championship status, while the Tractor Boys’ hopes of a play-off spot look over, they sit eight points outside the top six with just three games left.

Nottingham Forest and Blackburn also drew 1-1 to edge themselves closer to guaranteeing Championship football next season. Dexter Blackstock gave Forest the lead before Danny Graham netted Rovers’ equaliser as both sides leapfrog Bristol City and prepare to draw the curtain on a disappointing season.

Cardiff’s hopes of gatecrashing the play-off party took a big hit after they lost 2-1 away at Brentford. Two goals in three minutes from Scott Hogan gave the Bees victory and keeps Dean Smith side in 13th. Kenneth Zahore netted the consolation as the Bluebirds are now six points off the top six.

The remaining games involved sides sitting comfortably in mid-table. Birmingham and Preston played out a 2-2 draw, with Clayton Donaldson’s brace putting the Blues two goals ahead, before a North End comeback was completed by Greg Cunningham’s late equaliser.

Leeds picked up their third win in a row with a 2-1 victory over Wolves. Sol Bamba’s stunning long-range strike stole the show in a battle of two sides that will expect bigger things next season.

Championship Player of the Night: Anthony Knockaert ( Brighton )
Championship Team of the Night: Brighton
Championship Goal of the Night: Jiri Skalak (BRIGHTON vs QPR)

 
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