Congratulations and pride of place go to Steve Coppell and his all conquering Reading team who clinched the title on Saturday in front of just under 23, 000 fans at the Madejski Stadium with an emphatic five goal victory over Derby County. 
Having secured promotion to the Premiership for the first time in their history with a draw at Leicester City seven days previous the Royals completed a week to remember thanks to a stunning second half display which saw goals for James Harper, Kevin Doyle, John Oster, and a brace from Irish youngster Shane Long.
Meanwhile, disappointing road results for Watford and Leeds United saw their chances of them grabbing second place recede after defeats by
Friday night's Live Sky fixture saw the Golden Boys travel to Iain Dowie's
The Golden Boys managed a good start and Marlon King notched his 19th of the campaign just prior to the half hour but a barnstorming second half saw the Eagles bag three goals without reply. Dougie Freedman, and two own goals doing the damage, this after start Palace striker Andrew Johnson had been carried off.
Leeds United failed to capitalise on Watford's loss, as they came out worse in the fierce
At the other end Hull's Jon Parkin had a goal disallowed for offside, even though the ball came off a Leeds head before Parkin, nicknamed the ‘Beast' by home fans, scored his first goal in six games, popping up at the back stick to head home a 76th minute winner. The three points almost guarantee's Tigers safety while the reversal leaves the Tykes looking like
Sheffield United was the main beneficiaries of the chasing pack's misfortune even though could only draw at
The
In a dramatic finale both sides could have snatched victory, Skoko struck a post for the hosts while Steve Kabba almost won it for Neil Warnock's team, narrowly wide with an acrobatic volley.
However, the point gained moves the Sheffield club seven clear of third placed
A long range effort from on loan Bury midfielder, Simon Whaley gave Preston North End maximum harvest from their trip to
The Lilywhites win coupled with defeats for Wolverhampton Wanderers and
Glen Hoddle's Wolves lost for the second consecutive week, this time at Plymouth Argyle, Hasney Ajolfree and a Paul Ince own goal securing the three points for Tony Pullis' hard working team.
Cardiff
Neither side had shown any real form of late, with the Saints slipping ever closer to the relegation zone, but a second goal in 375 appearances for the club by Claus Lundekvam gave the home fans something to cheer about, not for long though as Cameron Jerome sourced an equaliser after a goal mouth scramble.
The Saints were not to be denied though and two well taken goals on (70) and (75) minutes by Jamaican Ricardo Fuller meant Darren Purse's header was mere consolation for the Welshmen.
At the foot of the table, Crewe Alexandra recorded an excellent win at Queens Park Rangers, which if not offering them salvation, at least maintains their mathematical interest in catching fourth from bottom
Goals from Midfield men, Kenny Lunt (39) and David Vaughan (73) handed the Alex a well deserved victory over a disappointing Hoops, who despite scoring a late consolation through Gareth Ainsworth could not avoid an eighth defeat at Loftus Road this term.
Things are beginning to look bleak for Millwall as well, who, after beating
It did not turn out like that though and the Seagulls dispelled their usual away day fears and produced a great performance to beat David Tuttle's side thanks to first half goals from Paul Reid and Paul McShane, strikes that earned Mark McGhee's side a second away victory of a troubled campaign.
The result helped neither clubs really however and Sheffield Wednesday are still breathing relatively easily in 21st spot following a goalless draw at home to
The remaining games featured the two East Anglian clubs,
Nigel Worthington's
Rob Earnshaw opened the scoring for the hosts, and although Gareth Williams soon levelled for the Foxes, a Leon McKenzie penalty, awarded after a Darren Huckerby ‘dive' determined the destination of the points.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Ipswich lost to the game's only goal in the battle of the Town's at