Reading march on

Reading extended their lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship to nine points as two Dave Kitson goals gave them a 2-0 win at home to Coventry.

As Sheffield United dropped two points with a 1-1 draw at Ipswich, the Royals capitalised at the Madejski Stadium.

After a goalless first half, Coventry’s resistance was finally broken when striker Kitson fired home from Bobby Convey’s centre – and with full-time approaching, he was teed up by Stephen Hunt to double the lead.

The second-placed Blades came from behind to salvage a point at Portman Road.

After a goalless – and largely lifeless – first half, it was the struggling home side who edged into the lead when Jimmy Juan pounced to put his side ahead.

But Danny Webber found space to drag his side level wih 13 minutes left on the clock, after being fed by Michal Tonge and missing his first shot.

Third-placed Leeds fell further behind the automatic promotion places thanks to a 2-1 defeat at Brighton.

After a strong start, Brighton took the lead in the 10th minute when Paul Reid converted Alexandre Frutos’ cross. Leeds pushed for an equaliser, and it came from Robbie Blake’s penalty after Reid fouled Eddie Lewis.

But 10 minutes from time Gary Hart popped up with the winner.

Derby enjoyed a free-scoring afternoon, beating hapless Crewe 5-1.

Former Birmingham duo Paul Peschisolido and Michael Johnson put them two goals ahead, and two more from Tommy Smith after the break made it 4-0. The magical Inigo Idiakez added another, before Crewe provided a reply of sorts through David Vaughan’s long-range goal.

Burnley fell to pieces after holding Cardiff to a goalless first half, conceding three goals in five minutes to lose 3-0.

Steven Thompson scored two quick goals, and Jason Koumas made it three.

Crystal Palace had Leon Cort’s own goal to thank for a 2-1 win at Hull.

Darren Ward pounced after Mark Hudson’s header was not fully collected by Boaz Myhill in the ninth minute. Cort’s own goal extended Palace’s lead, before the home side pegged them back through Jon Parkin’s debut strike.

Richard Langley’s penalty gave QPR a 1-0 win at home to Southampton, the visitors missing a host of chances.

Darren Huckerby rescued a point for Norwich at Plymouth as they drew 1-1.

Norwich went a goal down when Simon Charlton deflected the ball into his own net after Tony Capadi’s endeavours. But Huckerby levelled to ensure Norwich avoided a third successive defeat.

Watford won 1-0 at home to Stoke thanks to a debut goal by Chris Eagles, while Preston beat Millwall 2-0 at Deepdale with goals from Patrick Agyemang (43) and Claude Davis (51)

Sheffield Wednesday came from a goal down to beat Leicester in the Steel City.

Richard Stearman gave the Foxes a seventh-minute lead. But Chris Brunt equalised after 31 minutes, and captain Graham Coughlan got the winner before half-time.