Keeper Federici scores to rescue Royals
Federici smashed the ball home at the Madejski Stadium after a Michael Duberry header had been cleared off the line to earn his side a point.
They looked to be slipping to only their second home defeat of the season when Michael Chopra netted the fifth goal of his loan spell at Cardiff, but Federici had the final word.
Meanwhile James Beattie cancelled out Neill Collins’ opener for Wolves as Sheffield United held the leaders 1-1 at Molineux.
James McFadden’s penalty gave Birmingham three vital points in their clash with Ipswich. McFadden blasted Alex McLeish’s side into the lead after referee Iain Williamson penalised Moritz Volz for a handball and they held on to once again move level on points with Reading.
Nottingham Forest sacked manager Colin Calderwood last night following a 4-2 Boxing Day drubbing at home to fellow strugglers Doncaster.
The result saw Forest remain in the bottom three, where they have won just four times this season since their promotion from League One.
Crystal Palace beat Norwich 3-1 to stretch their unbeaten run to eight games.
Portuguese defender Jose Fonte claimed a first-half brace and substitute Danny Butterfield added a late third to cap a miserable afternoon for the Canaries, who equalised through Ireland’s Gary Doherty.
Jon Parkin’s rich vein of form continued as his third goal in as many home games ensured Preston enhanced their promotion credentials with a 2-0 win over Derby.
Bartosz Slusarski scored his first goal in a second loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday in a lacklustre 1-1 draw against Blackpool who were beginning life after the controversial departure of manager Paul Grayson to Leeds.
Swansea were held by Coventry in a goalless draw at the Liberty Stadium.
Nicky Bailey denied QPR a rare victory on the road as strugglers Charlton twice battled back to earn a point at The Valley.
Lee Cook and Dexter Blackstock were on target for Rangers, who looked to have responded to Paulo Sousa’s tinkering by firing them to a first away win since September.
But Bailey cancelled out Cook’s first-half free-kick just after the break and struck again 12 minutes from time to secure a draw after Blackstock had put the visitors ahead again.
Southampton tumbled to a fourth straight defeat, 2-0 against Plymouth at Home Park.
Chris McCann went from hero to villain as his own-goal gifted Barnsley a double over Burnley in a 2-1 win.
Nicky Maynard scored after just 23 seconds for Bristol City as they went on to beat Watford 4-2 away.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
