IRELAND’s hi-tech sector lobbied MEPs in Brussels yesterday asking them to support Europe-wide patenting of computer implemented inventions.

Sunderland have clinched the signing of one of their major transfer targets as Blackburn striker Jon Stead has completed a £1.8m move to the Stadium of Light.

Darren Bent left it late to save Ipswich at Portman Road as he netted in the final minute to keep the Coca-Cola Championship promotion race alive.

Striker Marlon King today completed a loan move to Leeds as boss Kevin Blackwell added goal-power to his squad for a play-off push.

Burnley 0 Leeds 1

LEEDS UNITED manager Kevin Blackwell believes the arrival of new chairman Ken Bates represents a positive turning point in the club’s history.

Sebastien Sainsbury has today confirmed he is holding talks with a number of investors as he looks to step up his bid to take over Leeds.

Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell knows there could be more player sales this month – at a time when he is desperate to strengthen the squad.

READING gained ground on the Coca-Cola Championship pacesetters yesterday as they took advantage of defeats for the top three teams.

Coca-Cola Championship leaders Wigan’s rocky run continued after a 0-0 draw at home to Leicester made it three successive matches without a win.

Leaders Wigan crashed to their first defeat of the season as visitors Plymouth enjoyed a 2-0 victory in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Portsmouth 2 Leeds 1

Plymouth 0 Leeds 1

Sheffield United 2 Leeds 0

WIGAN manager Paul Jewell refused all talk of promotion as he saw his side move to the top of the early-season table with a 3-1 win at West Ham - their second win in the capital in five days.

Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell has been given the cash to bring in Brian Deane, Steve Guppy and Craig Hignett over the next few days.

Former Leeds United striker Brian Deane may be set for a return to Elland Road after travelling to Sweden with the rest of the squad for their pre-season tour.

Alan Pardew concedes West Ham must now face up to the “tough scenario” of a second season in the Football League.

Crystal Palace 1 West Ham 0

Sunderland 2 Crystal Palace 1 (aggregate 4-4; Crystal Palace win 5-4 on penalties)

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has been studying a video nasty as he prepares his side for their Division One play-off semi-final showdown with Crystal Palace.

A dramatic last-minute goal by West Ham’s Brian Deane denied Wigan a place in the Nationwide First Division play-offs and also handed Crystal Palace a top six finish.

Sunderland 1 Birmingham 1

Fulham 0 West Ham 0

Tranmere and Millwall joined Manchester United in the last eight of the FA Cup, with home victories over Swansea and Burnley respectively, while West Ham and Fulham must do it all over again.

Brian Deane has vowed not to be the odd man out in West Ham’s four-man strikeforce.

Wolves 1 West Ham 3

Wolves 1 West Ham 3

Liverpool 2 Leicester 1

Leicester 0 Middlesbrough 0

Leicester 0 Middlesbrough 0

Leicester have been boosted by news that experienced duo Brian Deane and Billy McKinlay have signed new one-year deals.

GERARD HOULLIER insists he's fitter than ever and there's no chance he would accept a boardroom position at Liverpool.

Promotion contenders Leicester and Derby made winning starts to life in Division One but it was Rotherham who provided the biggest shock on the opening day of the season.

Leicester City 2 Watford 0

Coventry came from behind to take a 2-1 half-time lead at home to Sheffield United on the opening day of the new First Division season as former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder Gary McAllister began his career in management.

Duncan Ferguson signed off for the season by scoring the goal which should ensure Premiership football for Everton next season.

Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll denied Leicester the lead at Filbert Street with a couple of fine stops.

Muzzy Izzet will not follow the example of fellow midfielder Robbie Savage in pledging his long-term future to Leicester.

Another blunder by Paul Jones cost Southampton victory against Fulham at St Mary's Stadium.

Two-goal Paul Dickov earned Leicester their first league win in four months and piled on relegation misery for fellow strugglers Blackburn.

Southampton 2 Leicester 2

Premiership results