Wednesday win sends bottom three down

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY condemned Brighton, Crewe and Millwall to life in League One next season by beating the Seagulls 2-0 at the Withdean Stadium.

The Owls were the only side who could still be dragged into the bottom three at the start of the day, but their win ensured they survived their debut season back in the Championship.

Gary Hart unwittingly deflected the ball into his own net for Wednesday’s first in the eighth minute and Paul Sturrock’s men made sure when Burton O’Brien netted in the 69th minute.

Crewe are down despite extending their unbeaten run to four matches with a 1-1 draw at Cardiff. David Vaughan’s long-range effort in the 58th minute put the Alex in front but a superb curling strike from Jason Koumas brought the Bluebirds level.

Millwall suffered their 21st league defeat of the season in losing 2-0 at Southampton. Kenwyne Jones scored the first with a penalty after 13 minutes, and Saints secured the points in injury time through Ricardo Fuller.

At the top, champions Reading moved within three of Sunderland’s league record points total of 105 by beating Stoke 3-1 at the Madejski Stadium. Steve Sidwell headed home in the 25th minute, and Kevin Doyle added his 19th of the season from the spot after 55 minutes. Adam Rooney halved the Royals’ advantage four minutes later, but John Halls added Reading’s third in the 62nd minute.

Preston moved above Leeds, who play Sheffield United tonight, into fourth by beating Wolves 2-0 at Deepdale thanks to goals from Lewis Neal and Brett Ormerod.

Crystal Palace’s goalless draw at Burnley keeps them in sixth, with the play-off quartet already decided.