Championship Round-Up: Middlesbrough extend lead at the top after beating Derby

Middlesbrough extended their lead at the top of the Championship to four points after two late goals meant they beat second-placed Derby County 2-0.

Boro, who have now set a new club record having gone nine home league matches without conceding a goal, took the lead through Albert Adomah in the in the 83rd minute. George Friend doubled their lead just two minutes later when David Nugent set up the left-back to tuck the ball into the net.

Meanwhile, Hull also left it late to seal three points on Friday night when they won 2-1 at QPR. The Tigers took the lead when Abel Hernandez supplied the finish to Mohamed Diame’s well-timed pass. Sebastian Polter had put the hosts level with just four minutes left, but Adama Diomande’s stoppage time winner means Steve Bruce’s remain third.

Elsewhere, fellow promotion contenders Brighton lost for the third home game in a row as they lost 1-0 to Wolves. On-loan Manchester United striker James Wilson had come close to putting the Seagulls ahead, but an own goal from Connor Goldson gave meant the visitors took the spoils.

Whilst, Burnley and Ipswich played out a 0-0 draw on Saturday meaning both sides missed out on the chance to gain ground on second-place Derby.

New Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic lost his first game in charge to Sheffield Wednesday 1-0, as Ross Wallace netted the only goal in a hard fought contest after his superb 30-yard strike. Astonishingly this was only the second time that the Owls have won at Craven Cottage in their last 15 visits.

Jokanovic got off to a losing start in his first match in charge of Fulham.

Charlton are now one point from safety as they rescued a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, but the hosts’ winless run has now stretched to eight matches. Forest took the lead on the brink of half-time when Ben Osborn curling effort nestled in the net. Simon Makienok levelled the scores with 20 minutes to go after a good run.

Birmingham won for the third home game in a row as they dramatically defeated Brentford 2-1. Jacques Maghoma put the Blues in the lead with a great finish from just inside the area. But, the Bees levelled when Phillip Hofmann tucked the ball home when Tomasz Kuszczak parried Alan Judge’s effort. Then with a minute to go Maikel Kieftenbeld supplied the finish to James Vaughan’s cross.

Cardiff closed the gap on the play-offs to just four points, as they won for the first time four games beating Blackburn 1-0. Joe Mason notched the only strike of the game on the hour mark after picking up a loose ball in the visitors defence.

MK Dons missed out on the chance to win at Leeds for the first time in their history when Antony Kay’s own goal saw the sides draw 1-1. Rob Hall had put the Dons ahead inside the first 30 minutes with an impressive finish. But, Kay headed the ball in the wrong net in the 89^th minute leaving Karl Robinson’s team just two points above the relegation zone.

Reading’s top scorer Nick Blackman’s stoppage-time strike gave the Royals a 1-0 victory over struggling Bristol City. Danny Williams’ clever pass put the striker clean through on goal and he finished calmly.

Preston beat Rotherham 2-1, as Jonson Clarke-Harris scored an own goal in the last minute of the match. Tony Andreau gave the visitors the lead, before Eoin Doyle equalised. But Clarke-Harris’ mistake cost Neil Readfern’s team a vital point.

Bolton returned to losing ways with a 2-0 home loss to Huddersfield, as Joe Lolley’s volley and Mustapha Carayol’s tap-in sees the Trotters remain four points from safety.

Player of the Weekend: Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough)
Team of the Weekend: Middlesbrough
Goal of the Weekend: Ross Wallace (Fulham vs SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY)