Championship round-up | Football News | Sky Sports

QPR, Swansea and Reading were the Championship's big winners on Saturday while Leeds, Burnley and Watford all lost.

QPRhave extended their lead at the top of the table after winning 1-0 atDoncasterthanks to Hogan Ephraim's 50th minute goal.

Second-placedNorwichdropped two points afterHull Citycame from a goal down to claim a 1-1 draw at The KC Stadium. Zak Whitbread gave The Canaries the lead, but veteran Nick Barmby levelled matters with 73 minutes played.

Swanseahave closed to within a point of Norwich after getting the better of fellow promotion hopefulsNottingham Forest3-2 at the Liberty Stadium. On-loan Fabio Borini was the star of the show for Brendan Rodgers' side with a brace on his debut.

Cardiff Cityremain in fourth spot after being held in a six-goal thriller withMillwallat The Den. Chris Burke's second fired The Bluebirds in front for a second time, but Steve Morison's late effort ensured the spoils were shared.

In the early kick-offSheffield Unitedgave their survival hopes a shot in the arm with a deserved 2-0 success over Yorkshire rivalsLeeds United. An own goal from Eric Lichaj and a second from substitute Bjorn Helge Riise secured the points before Billy Paynter saw red to complete a miserable afternoon for The Whites.

Readinghave climbed into seventh just outside the play-offs after beatingBarnsley1-0 at Oakwell. Mathieu Manset's second-half effort was enough to secure the points.

Burnley'swinless run continued after losing 2-0 toBristol City. Goals either side of half time from Brett Pitman and Nicky Maynard dented The Clarets' play-off hopes.

Watfordalso failed to capitalise on losses by Leeds and Forest by slumping to a 2-1 defeat toMiddlesbrough. Danny Graham opened the scoring against his former club, but Boro responded through Scott McDonald and Andrew Taylor. The Hornets' misery was compounded by Adrian Mariappa's late dismissal.

Leicesterremain five points adrift of sixth after slipping to a 1-0 home defeat to resurgentPortsmouth. David Nugent's early strike inflicted a damaging loss on Sven Goran Eriksson's side.

Crystal Palaceare four points clear of Sheffield United after needing a late penalty from Darren Ambrose to draw 2-2 withDerby Countryat Selhurst Park. The Rams twice led through Stephen Pearson and Jamie Ward, but they could not hang on.

Scunthorpeare now second from bottom following a 2-0 loss toIpswich. Carlos Edwards and Jimmy Bullard scored as the managerless Iron picked up no points from their Portman Road trip.

At the foot of the table,Prestonkept their faint hopes of survival alive with a late 2-1 win overCoventry. The points looked like being shared at Deepdale until veteran Nathan Ellington scored an injury-time winner.

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