Reading ended Preston North End’s 22-match unbeaten run at the Madjeski Stadium. Steve Sidwell opened the scoring for the 7/10 Royals after six minutes but Calum Davidson equalised almost immediately. Leory Lita netted the winning goal for Stev Coppell’s side on the stroke of half time.
Sheffield United lost ground on Reading after losing 3-2 at Brammall Lane to Queens Park Rangers. Marc Nygaard gave the Hoops a sixth minute lead but the 1/2 lead 2-1 through Ade Akinbiyi on 21 and a Marc Bircham own goal eight minutes later. But 5/1 outsiders Rangers levelled through a Chris Morgan own goal after 54 minutes and completed an unlikely win when veteran Paul Furlong netted the third with 15 minutes left.
Watford edged closer to the second placed Blades with a late winner against Cardiff City. The 4/5 Hornets broke the deadlock after 69 minutes through Malky Mackay but Jeff Whitley levelled for the Bluebirds on 77. A Riccy Scimeca blunder allowed top goalscorer Marlon King to net the winner with two minutes left.
Gary Kelly became only the tenth player in Leeds’ history to make 500 appearances for the club as 8/11 United sunk Luton Town at Elland Road. Two goals in four second half minutes from Jonathon Douglas and Eddie Lewis put Leeds in the driving seat before Steve Howard pulled one back with seven minutes remaining.
Crystal Palace hammered Norwich City 4-1 as they maintained their fifth placed position. Andrew Johnson and Ben Watson gave the 5/6 Eagles a half time lead before Clinton Morrison and Fitz Hall piled more misery on Nigel Worthington’s side. A Darren Ward own goal two minutes from time was the only consolation for the Canaries.
In the battle at the bottom, rock-bottom Crewe Alexandra ended a 17-match winless run against second-from-bottom Brighton & Hove Albion. Colin Kazim-Richards gave the visitors the lead after 11 minutes but the Alex came back through Lee Bell and Stephen Foster to win at 13/10 odds.
Stoke City dealt a major blow to Millwall’s survival hopes with a 2-1 win at the Britannia Stadium. Ben May gave the 3/1 Lions and unlikely lead after eight minutes but a Carl Hoefkens penalty seven minutes later restored parity. Paul Gallagher’s goal after 57 minutes ensured a home win at odds of 9/10.
