Dave Kitson fired a second-half hat-trick as Coca-Cola Championship leaders Reading thrashed Brighton 5-1 at the Madejski Stadium.

SHEFFIELD UNITED’S new-look attack seized their opportunity to impress against Millwall and increase the Blades’ advantage at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship last night.

Neil Shipperley scored the only goal against Wolves to extend Sheffield United’s lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Sheffield United held on to top spot in the Coca-Cola Championship table as their 3-1 win at Crewe made it five victories from six for the Blades.

Neil Shipperley has completed his move to Sheffield United from Crystal Palace after signing a two-year deal.

Marcus Stewart exorcised the ghost of Sunderland’s play-off semi-final defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace by dumping the Barclays Premiership side out of the FA Cup.

Fitz Hall is Crystal Palace’s main injury concern as they prepare for the visit of Barclays Premiership champions Arsenal.

Crystal Palace have injury concerns over a trio of key players for the short trip across south London to face local rivals Charlton.

NICO VAESEN insists Crystal Palace can follow Birmingham's example next season and make an immediate impact on the Premiership.

West Ham could be in hot water with the Football Association after the Football League confirmed that assistant referee Trevor Massey was hit by coins thrown from the Hammers end at the Millennium Stadium in Saturday’s Division One play-off final.

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)

Crystal Palace 3 Sunderland 2

Crystal Palace 3 Sunderland 2

Crystal Palace 3 Sunderland 0

Division One leaders Norwich suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat at Cardiff after conceding two goals in three first-half minutes to their mid-table opponents.

Norwich marched on at the top of the Nationwide First Division with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Coventry at Highfield Road.

DAVID CONNOLLY was top-scorer among the Irish internationals in England last season with 24 goals in 28 games for Wimbledon, but he is honest enough to accept his goals at club level will not win him a regular place with Ireland — no matter how many he scores.

An opening period almost completely devoid of skill and invention reached a suitably goalless conclusion at the Bescot Stadium this afternoon.

DerWIMBLEDON’S sequence of seven matches unbeaten ended last night as Derby came from behind to win and move up to twelfth in Nationwide Division One.

Super-sub Darren Ambrose fired a last-gasp winner to cap a satisfying week for Ipswich but there was not much else to remember in a dour game played out in front of a paltry crowd of 3,238 at Selhurst Park.

SUNDERLAND booked their place in the third round of the Worthington Cup with a 7-0 romp at Cambridge.