Boro on the up

Middlesbrough went second in the npower Championship after goals by Rhys Williams and Marvin Emnes guided them to a 2-0 win over Derby.

The match was also notable for Mason Bennett becoming Derby’s youngest-ever player aged just 15 years and 99 days.

Williams broke the deadlock with a close-range finish on the stroke of half-time with Emnes sealing victory when he headed home seven minutes after the break.

Crystal Palace moved up to third following a 1-0 win at Ipswich, who had Aaron Cresswell sent off.

Patrick McCarthy scored the only goal in the 55th minute with a 20-yard strike into the top corner. Cresswell was dismissed in the final minute for his second bookable offence.

Leeds are up to fifth after Darren O’Dea’s injury-time winner secured a 3-2 victory at Peterborough in today’s early kick-off.

The Republic of Ireland defender tucked away Adam Clayton’s free-kick in the 95th minute.

Andy Keogh’s stunning opener had put Leeds ahead, but Gabriel Zakuani levelled before Posh were reduced to 10 men when Lee Tomlin scythed through the back of Keogh.

Clayton fired Leeds back in front but the hosts thought they had salvaged a point after Paul Rachubka’s mistake allowed Mark Little to equalise two minutes from time.

Hull are just outside the play-offs after an injury-time goal by Robert Koren saw them beat Watford 3-2.

An own goal from James Chester put Watford 1-0 ahead only for Matty Fryatt’s close-range shot to level matters six minutes after half-time.

However, the Hornets regained the lead five minutes later when Chris Iwelumo headed home only for Hull to equalise again in the 66th minute when Aaron Mclean slotted home.

Then came Koren’s intervention from 25 yards.

Darius Henderson scored a hat-trick as Millwall trounced Leicester 3-0 at the King Power Stadium.

Henderson scored twice in the first half, the first from the penalty spot, to give Millwall a shock lead.

He then completed his hat-trick in the 68th minute when he nodded home from close range.

Cardiff enjoyed a rollercoaster 5-3 win over Barnsley.

Kenny Miller’s fourth goal of the season put Cardiff ahead with Joe Mason doubling their lead. Danny Drinkwater pulled one back but Aron Gunnarsson put Cardiff 3-1 up at the interval.

Don Cowie extended the lead with a right-footed shot with half an hour to go before Gunnarsson scored the fifth from close range.

The Tykes got the seventh goal of the game when Jimmy McNulty headed home with eight minutes to go and Ricardo Vaz Te completed the scoring.

Ten-man Nottingham Forest won 2-1 at Blackpool. Wes Morgan put the visitors ahead with Kevin Phillips levelling before Radoslaw Majewski got the winner.

Guy Moussi was sent off in the 82nd minute for his second bookable offence.

Charlie Austin scored a last-minute winner for Burnley as they won 2-1 at Coventry.

Cody McDonald put the hosts ahead a little under a quarter of an hour after the break when he headed home but the Clarets levelled through Ross Wallace (73) before Austin struck.

Gael Bigirimana was given a straight red card for a foul on Kieran Trippier.

Luke Varney fired managerless Portsmouth into a third-minute lead against Doncaster, but former Southampton midfielder Simon Gillett drew Rovers level.

Dave Kitson and Varney then secured a 3-1 Pompey win.