Championship Review (25/03/2006)

Congratulations to Reading, who after a long wait have finally achieved promotion to the Barclays Premiership for the first time in their history following a 1-1 draw at Leicester City.

The Foxes took the lead in the first half through Ian Hume, only for Kevin Doyle (pictured), at £80k surely the find of the season, to head home five minutes from the end to restore parity and a path to the high rollers.

In fact promotion was already assured as Watford slipped to a disappointing defeat at the hands of relegation battlers Milwall at Vicarage Road. Carl Asaba opened the scoring for the Lions on 66 minutes and substitute, Ben May added to his account for the season in added on time.

Watford were left to rue their failure to turn pressure into goals especially during a first half they dominated, Gavin Mahon missing what turned out to be a crucial penalty after 25 minutes.

Sheffield United finally got their promotion bid back on track with a first win in four games, an easy three goal home success over nose diving Southampton at Bramall Lane. Two goals before half time, from Phil Jagielka and Paul Ifill calmed South Yorkshire nerves and Neil Shipperley added the coup de grace in the second half to heap more pressure on the free falling Saints. The win takes the Blades six points clear of third placed Watford in the race for automatic promotion with just six games remaining.

Leeds United also slipped up after failing to break down Johann Boskamp's Stoke City at Elland Road. A dire game saw few clear cut chances at either end, bar a headed effort in the last minute by Rob Hulse which unluckily for the Tykes cannoned off the crossbar and away to safety. Leeds, now without a win in four, stay in fourth but now level on points with Watford.

Crystal Palace are another side inside the top six to lose as they crashed controversially at Derby County which effectively ends their automatic promotion interest.

Things looked good for the Eagles when Clinton Morrison opened the scoring in the 18th minute, reacting quickly to a mistake by Derby County keeper, Lee Camp but the Rams soon levelled through Inigo Idiakez. Referee Mr A. Wiley then decided to award a contentious penalty to the hosts in the dying seconds and Idiakez after having his initial shot saved duly converted the rebound to send Pride Park and Palace manager, Iain Dowie wild for differing reasons.

Preston North End remain in sixth position after recording their 19th draw of the season in a tight affair against Plymouth Argyle.

Wolves failed to take advantage of Preston's inability to find the net and were well beaten by lowly Sheffield Wednesday at Molineux, the Owls returning North highly satisfied following a 3 -1 away success.

Former Derby County front man, Marcus Tudgay scored just before half time to edge the visitors ahead, and although Carl Cort sourced an equaliser Tudgay soon notched a second before Deon Burton completed the scoring for Paul Sturrock's men.

Cardiff City, Ipswich Town and struggling Brighton & Hove Albion all surrended crucial home points against Queens Park Rangers, Luton Town and Hull City respectively.

Dave Jones' Cardiff played out a sterile goalless draw with Gary Waddock's mid table Rangers, while Ipswich Town could only achieve parity with Hull City at Portman Road.

Darren Currie opened the scoring on (23) to give the Tractor Boys the advantage but big centre back Leon Cort got the equaliser on (57) and several fine saves from the visitor's keeper thereafter ensured equality, a result that leaves the East Anglians eight points off the play-off places.

Brighton & Hove Albion mustered a 1-1 draw with Luton Town at the soulless Withdean Stadium, former Watford striker Gifton Noel-Williams opening his account on debut for the Seagulls but this was cancelled out by Steve Robinson who hit back midway through the second period to deny the hosts who are now surely doomed for the drop.

Another side destined to join them are Crewe Alexandra although they did manage to score four past a travel sick Coventry City who have a great home record, but can't seem to win away. Goals from Billy Jones, Madjid Bougherra, Luke Rodgers and Gareth Taylor keep Crewe's slim hopes of avoiding relegation alive while a well beaten Sky Blues outfit could only manage a Stern John reply, the Trinidad and Tobago's man's seventh goal of the season.

Friday night's Live Sky Sports action saw Burnley end a depressing run of sixth consecutive defeats as they overturned a maddeningly inconsistent Norwich City at Turf Moor. Early pressure from Nigel Worthington's team came to nothing, on loan striker Andy Gray, and veteran Graham Branch scoring the goals which keep both sides in mid table.