Reggae Boyz watch-King,Davis...........

[Dunny]

Coventry 1 Birmingham 1
KING POWER ... Marlon King smashes home the equaliser


By BOB HAYES

Published: 10th March 2012

MARLON KING rubbed salt into the wounds as his leveller nudged his old Coventry pals nearer the drop.


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• Hull City 2 Ipswich 2

The striker incensed the Sky Blues by snubbing a new deal last summer and switching to local rivals Birmingham.
His every touch was booed by the Ricoh faithful. But he silenced them by plundering an equaliser just two minutes after homegrown hero Gary McSheffrey had put Cov in front.
A long throw from full-back Peter Ramage was allowed to bounce in the six-yard box and the unmarked King pounced to scissor-kick it home from close range.
King said: "I've just anticipated it and stuck it in the net.
"I got on the scoresheet last week too but, whoever scores, you want to turn these draws into wins.
"We can't dwell on this result too long because we have another tough game on Tuesday against Leicester."
King's ice-cool finishing was matched by the way he handled the flak from the home crowd. He said: "I don't really hear all the boos and it's getting boring even talking about it."
Blues boss Chris Hughton added: "Marlon worked very hard, that's two goals in two games and I'm pleased for him, particularly coming back to your old club.
"He's not a kid, he's an experienced player, he knows the important thing is the job he does. There have been lots of players in similar positions, you can't let it affect you.
"It's important we don't lose and I always felt the play-offs were more realistic." Hughton also accepted the 89th-minute sending off of sub Jordon Mutch for an elbow on Alex Nimely, admitting: "I have seen it and I have no complaints."
Birmingham were out to continue their hot form on the road. They had won the previous three away games with an impressive haul of 10 goals. But they found the Sky Blues a tougher nut to crack.
The closest they came to a first-half goal was an Erik Huseklepp low shot that flashed wide — with the unmarked King pleading for a pass.
King and Co were also screaming when Andros Townsend darted into the penalty area. The winger went tumbling but referee Neil Derbyshire rightly waved away appeals.
The Blues were more potent after the restart with winger Chris Burke's menacing runs and crosses providing the danger.
The hosts survived when Townsend's cross eluded sub Nikola Zigic and Richard Keogh headed it clear.
Zigic then nodded a good chance wide. And McSheffrey made the home side pay when he directed his 70th-minute header inside a post after a fine, wriggly run by Carl Baker.
But the celebrations were short-lived as King levelled.
Both sides then hit the woodwork — Oliver Norwood for Coventry and King for the visitors.
The Blues, reduced to 10 on 89 minutes when Mutch floored Nimely, could have nicked it.
Burke supplied the chance from the right but Zigic's outstretched leg could not turn in his cross.
Coventry boss Andy Thorn said: "We defended well — their goal was the only time we switched off.
"We are pretty disappointed we haven't got a win, the players gave me everything. They have done so well but when you give someone like Marlon that space he will score.
"McSheffrey's goal could be vital, it was a top-drawer header, it reminded me of how Teddy Sheringham used to head the ball.
"Everyone wants three points but Birmingham ain't a bad side.
"We are going to give it a really good go, we have four more games here and we will give it everything."

[Dunny]

Claude Davis scores opener for Crawley Town:-

Gary Simpson read the riot act to his players despite watching Macclesfield produce a fightback to earn a draw against Crawley.
The visitors took the lead in the 37th minute when Claude Davis fired a shot into the far corner from 22 yards and they extended their lead two minutes after the break with another long-range bullet from Kyle McFadzean.
But then Gary Alexander missed from six yards in the 78th minute and the Silkmen took advantage with Vinny Mukendi thumping home from six yards in the 84th minute and George Donnelly picking out the top corner in the second minute of injury time.
Simpson said: "I must admit I didn't think they caused us unbelievable problems. We had a couple of chances to get back into the game a little bit earlier and I felt they were starting to feel a little bit sorry for themselves. To be fair I had a little bit of a go at them after the game because they have always showed spirit and given it a go no matter what. But we got sorry for ourselves and then we got a goal and we perked up a bit and then we got another one."
"We keep losing players through injury. Marcus Marshall is now out with ankle ligaments, but are getting points here and there. So we have just got to keep going and keep battling on. If spirit, endeavour and honesty count then these lads deserve to be playing in this league next year.
"If you take the teams we have drawn against in the last four games - Oxford, Bristol Rovers, Crawley and some might laugh but Hereford as well, then they all have resources which are far in excess of ours. So all we can do is keep going, keep putting points on the board and keep putting pressure on everyone else. We know we need a win, everyone knows we need a win, but we will keep going and hope it is just around the corner."

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Reading FC skipper Jodi McAnuff got is boys edgeing closer to the Premiership:-

READING made it eight wins in a row but Brian McDermott is still refusing to think about automatic promotion.

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• Coventry 1 Birmingham 1

The Royals boss admitted: "I don't think about it. Honestly, the only thing I look at is the next game. and for us that is Doncaster on Tuesday.
"We've got three games away on the trot. Three tough ones."
Goals by Mikele Leigertwood, Jason Roberts and sub Simon Church secured rampant Royals a victory as lacklustre Leicester all but wrote off their promotion chances.
Neil Danns struck an injury-time consolation for the Foxes as Reading conceded only their second goal on their incredible sequence.
McDermott praised Roberts, who has played in all eight wins after joining from Blackburn. He said: "I knew when we got him what a great bloke Jason was.
"I've been waiting 17 years to sign him. He holds the ball up and scores goals. Everything I wanted from Jason we're getting."
Reading put Leicester on the back foot with crisp movement and accurate passing.
And Leigertwood put the Royals in front with a beauty after 15 minutes.
Skipper Jobi McAnuff laid the ball back to Leigertwood who thumped home from 18 yards.
The 100th home goal of McDermott's reign was deserved against a side packed with quality but seemingly lacking in urgency.
Roberts doubled Reading's advantage with his fourth goal for the club with just 15 minutes left.
The striker guided home a low Noel Hunt cross on the half-volley.
Church made it three in the 89th minute before Danns pulled one back from close range.
Leicester boss Nigel Pearson said: "We had to do something after the interval because we appalling in the first half.
"We showed more spirit but got done by a sucker punch on the counter.
"Reading are a good team but I expect more from my players. The application wasn't right when there was so much riding on the game."

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Jobi McAnuff on the score sheet as Reading march on:-

Barnsley 0 Reading 4: Jem sparkles as rampant Royals push on



By Sportsmail Reporter
PUBLISHED: 17:09, 17 March 2012 | UPDATED: 17:13, 17 March 2012

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Reading maintained their npower Championship promotion charge with their ninth win in 10 league matches as two superb second-half goals from Jem Karacan helped account for Barnsley.
Brian McDermott's side had won eight games on the trot before drawing at Doncaster in midweek, but two goals in as many minutes at the start of the second half got them back on the winning trail before their dominance was confirmed with two further efforts.

Big Mac: Jobi McAnuff celebrates scoring the opener


MATCH FACTS

Barnsley: Steele, Wiseman (Stones 52), Foster, McNulty,Collins, Rose (Cotterill 71), Smith,Doyle (Dawson 70), Done, Davies, Nouble. Subs Not Used: Lidakevicius, Gray.
Booked: Smith, Rose.
Reading: Federici, Mullins, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Kebe (Church 83),
Leigertwood, Karacan (Tabb 76), McAnuff (Robson-Kanu 67), Roberts, Hunt. Subs Not Used: Andersen, Le Fondre.
Booked: Mullins.
Goals: McAnuff 47, Karacan 49, 65, Roberts 90.
Att: 9,381
Ref: Darren Sheldrake (Surrey).


Jobi McAnuff broke Barnsley's resistance in the 47th minute when he crashed home a low shot from the edge of the penalty area and Karacan lashed home a second, high into the roof of the net, two minutes later.
Barnsley manager Keith Hill said this week he had been "appalled" by his side's recent form and their winless run was extended to six matches when Karacan added a brilliant third goal from 25 yards in the 65th minute, while Jason Roberts neatly converted a fourth in the closing stages.
Barnsley handed a debut to defender Lee Collins, who joined on loan from Port Vale earlier this week, while teenager Danny Rose made his first start for the club and Korey Smith joined him in midfield.
Hayden Mullins made his debut for Reading after joining on loan from Portsmouth on Thursday and winger Jimmy Kebe returned to the visitors' starting line-up.
High times: Noel Hunt of Reading is challenged by Barnsley keeper Luke Steele

Reading striker Noel Hunt forced a fine save from Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele with an angled shot from inside the penalty area after just 45 seconds and 10 minutes later Rose was a fraction wide with an audacious 30-yard lob in a lively opening.
Steele held a routine catch from Roberts' shot, but pulled off another super save to turn away Mikele Leigertwood's blistering drive as Barnsley held firm until half-time. The visitors struck twice in as many minutes soon after the restart to break Barnsley's resistance.
Roberts laid the ball off for McAnuff on the edge of the penalty area in the 47th minute and the Reading midfielder arrowed a low shot beyond Steele into the bottom corner. Barnsley had hardly caught their breath when the visitors doubled their lead two minutes later.
The home defence failed to clear the ball in the penalty area and Karacan pounced to lash it into the roof of the net from 12 yards.
Roberts then pulled his left-footed shot off target when poised to add another from inside the area in the 57th minute, but the Royals were not to be denied a third goal thanks to Karacan's super finish.
Ian Harte supplied the free-kick and striker Hunt this time teed the ball up on the edge of the box and Karacan fired an unstoppable right-footed shot into the top corner.
Hill sent on Stephen Dawson and David Cotterill for Rose and Nathan Doyle, while Smith, Craig Davies and Frank Nouble went close with long-range efforts for Barnsley, but there was to be no consolation for the Yorkshiremen as Roberts converted a fourth goal from Alex Pearce's pass in the 90th minute.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1pP6SNaNX

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Marlon King scores as Birmingham get back to winning ways:-

Blues bag win to leafrog Boro

Last updated: 17th March 2012

Burke: Key to victory for Birmingham
Related links

Teams

• Birmingham City
• Middlesbrough

Birmingham marked their 50th game of the season with a 3-0 win which saw them leapfrog Middlesbrough up to fourth place in the Championship.
Much was owed to winger Chris Burke, this week recognised by second-tier managers as one of the top 10 players in the division, who claimed two assists to take his tally to 13 this term - the highest of any Championship player.
The Scot's 11th-minute cross set up Nikola Zigic, whose low header produced his ninth goal of the season and set the hosts on their way to a first win in six games in all competitions since losing their 15-match unbeaten record.
Boro, despite just one win at St Andrew's in 33 years, remained in the game and posed a threat having claimed more points on their travels than at the Riverside this season - Joe Bennett seeing a neat finish ruled out by an assistant's late flag.
That threat was extinguished however thanks to two goals in three minutes around the hour mark, Burke setting up Marlon King for a well-taken strike before man of the match Keith Fahey capped a marauding run with a composed finish.
It was the visitors who started on the front foot, Lukas Jutkiewicz forcing a solid parried save from Boaz Myhill.
But the pattern of play changed completely with City's 11th-minute opener.
Burke delivered an inch-perfect cross from the right and Zigic got down well to divert home a low header at the near post.
Burke looked to get his name on the scoresheet minutes later with a 30-yard strike which was well saved by Jason Steele.
Adam Hammill fired narrowly wide for Boro before Jutkiewicz, all alone in the Blues box, fluffed a great opening to level matters.
A brief lull in proceedings was almost brought to life by Burke's header, which looped narrowly over the crossbar.
Matthew Bates then produced a perfectly-executed sliding challenge to deny King, who had been sent clear by the galloping Andros Townsend, ensuring the encounter remained well poised at the break.
Justin Hoyte diverted Zigic's effort behind for a corner at the start of the second half.
Bennett thought he had equalised with a well-taken finish from Hammill's through-ball shortly after, only to be denied by a late flag from the assistant referee.
And no sooner had the goal been ruled out than the game was taken beyond Boro's reach.
Burke squared the ball to King, who finished from 12 yards, before a swift counter-attack was led from his own half by Fahey and the Irishman completed his run with a cool finish under Steele.
Tony Mowbray made a triple substitution in an attempt to revive his side's fortunes.
But Middlesbrough were denied what would merely have been a late consolation by a contender for save of the season from Myhill, who somehow got down to deny Seb Hines

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Jobi Mcanuff stars in Reading win over Blackpool:-

Reading 3 Blackpool 1: Royals stay second with win over play-off hopefuls



By Sportsmail Reporter
PUBLISHED: 18:33, 24 March 2012 | UPDATED: 18:33, 24 March 2012

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Second-placed Reading moved four points clear of West Ham in the npower Championship with an impressive victory over play-off contenders Blackpool.

The hosts took the lead in the 30th minute when Ian Harte followed up after Jobi McAnuff struck the woodwork, and five minutes later the Royals doubled their advantage.

McAnuff was again the provider, chipping to the back post for Alex Pearce to head home.


On a roll: Reading won again to consolidate second place


MATCH FACTS


Reading: Federici, Cummings, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Kebe, Leigertwood, Karacan, McAnuff, Hunt, Afobe (Church 69). Subs not used: Andersen, Tabb, Le Fondre, Robson-Kanu.

Scorers: Harte 30, Pearce 35, Leigertwood 60.

Blackpool: Gilks, Baptiste, Evatt, Cathcart, Crainey, Sylvestre (Ince 64), Basham, Ferguson, Taylor-Fletcher (Dobbie 64), LuaLua (Matt Phillips 64), Kevin Phillips. Subs not used: Angel, Harris.

Booked: Baptiste.

Scorer: LuaLua 41.

Referee: Fred Graham.
Attendance: 20,906.


After losing for the first time in 10 matches at Peterborough in midweek, Reading were evidently in the mood to get back to winning ways.

Lomana LuaLua pulled a goal back for the visiting Tangerines just before the break with a stunning strike from long range but after the interval Mikele Leigertwood nodded in Reading's third.

Royals manager Brian McDermott handed new loan signing Benik Afobe his debut up front in place of the injured Jason Roberts while Hayden Mullins dropped out of the matchday squad, with Shaun Cummings returning on the right of defence.

Craig Cathcart came back into the Blackpool backline and Chris Basham, Ludovic Sylvestre and LuaLua were all handed recalls as Ian Holloway made four changes.

Reading could have taken an early lead when Jimmy Kebe's fizzing goalbound effort from 12 yards struck Noel Hunt a yard out and rebounded to safety.

After spending the opening exchanges firmly on the back foot, the away side steadily gained a foothold on proceedings and only Jem Karacan's block prevented Gary Taylor-Fletcher's effort from finding the back of the net.

But Reading always looked dangerous and took the lead after half an hour.

Leigertwood chested the ball into the path of McAnuff, and after the Royals skipper struck both posts with his attempt Harte was on hand to slot home.

Moments later the Royals were two goals to the good.

McAnuff's delicate cross to the back post was met by Pearce and the centre-back sent a superb header back over Gilks and into the far corner.

It seemed Reading were quickly putting themselves out of sight, but Blackpool were handed a sensational lifeline four minutes before half-time.

LuaLua collected possession 30 yards from goal and in a fairly innocuous position, but the forward produced a blistering finish to beat Adam Federici to his top left-hand corner.

After a quiet start to the second period, Hunt blasted high and wide from Akobe's neat knock-down while Federici had no problem dealing with Phillips' header at the other end as both sides pushed for the all-important fourth goal of the game.

And in the end it was the home side who re-established their two-goal cushion, with Leigertwood rising unmarked in the area to head home Harte's free-kick on the hour mark.

Hunt came close to putting the game to bed when he latched on to substitute Simon Church's flick-on, only to drag his shot wide from the edge of the box but Reading had already done enough to consolidate their place in the automatic promotion places.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1q4KRjH8X

[Dunny]

Jermaine Johnson returns for Sheffield Wednesday:-

Gary Madine struck two second-half goals as Sheffield Wednesday stretched their unbeaten run to eight games with a 2-0 win over Preston.
In a scrappy opening period, Jermaine Johnson saw a curling effort fly narrowly wide while full-back Reda Johnson nearly caught out Preston goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann with an over-hit cross that landed on the roof of the net.
Paul Parry had North End's best chance of the first half but his tame free-kick was easily gathered by Stephen Bywater before Stuckmann turned over a drive from midfielder Johnson on the stroke of half-time.
Wednesday did not have to wait long for another chance and four minutes after the restart Chris Lines played in Madine and the striker spun to fire his 16th goal of the season into the top right-hand corner.
And Madine doubled his side's lead after 64 minutes, heading in Antonio's long throw from the right.
The striker spurned a couple of chances to claim his hat-trick in the closing stages while Preston offered little going forward as they slipped to a fourth game without a win.

[Dunny]

Marlon King score goal no 16 for the season in Birmingham 1-3 win away to Burnley tonight to consolidate their play-off place!!

[Dunny]

Marlon King score goal no 16 for the season in Birmingham 1-3 win away to Burnley tonight to consolidate their play-off place!!

Burnley 1 Birmingham 3: Mutch winner give Blues clear air in play-off race



By Sportsmail Reporter
PUBLISHED: 20:44, 3 April 2012 | UPDATED: 21:03, 3 April 2012

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Birmingham overcame a second-half Burnley fightback to steal a march on their npower Championship play-off rivals.

Marlon King fired his 16th of the season to give Blues an early lead in a first-half of few chances.

The home side were sparked into life by the introduction of Junior Stanislas before the hour and forward duo Danny Ings and Charlie Austin both hit the crossbar before the former levelled.

Chris Hughton's men responded instantly and Jordon Mutch netted his first goal for the club with 15 minutes to play, leaving full-back David Murphy to apply gloss to the scoreline when Burnley goalkeeper Lee Grant dropped Mutch's cross.


Mutch too good: The Birmingham midfielder celebrates his strike


MATCH FACTS


Burnley: Grant; Trippier, Duff, Edgar, Wallace; Marney (Stanislas 59), McCann, Bartley; McQuoid, Austin, Ings.

Subs not used: Jensen, Howieson, Hewitt, Fletcher.

Goal: Ings 74.

Birmingham: Myhill, Ramage, Davies, Caldwell, Murphy, Burke, Elliott, N'Daw, Zigic, King, Mutch.

Subs not used: Doyle, Huseklepp, Townsend, Gomis, Redmond.

Booked: Mutch, Zigic.

Goals: King 11, Mutch 75.

Referee: Jock Waugh (South Yorkshire)

Attendance:


Birmingham are now three points clear of seventh-placed Middlesbrough, who are outside the top six on goal difference, having won their game in hand on the clutch of teams on 63 points.

At the turn of the year Eddie Howe's Clarets also harboured play-off ambitions, but they remain 16th and on a run of four wins in 16 matches.

Ross Wallace was utilised as an emergency left-back in the absence of injured duo Ben Mee and Danny Lafferty, while Austin's hat-trick from the bench in Saturday's 5-1 victory at Portsmouth earned him a start in attack alongside Josh McQuoid.

In Birmingham's only change, Wade Elliott was recalled to midfield to face his former club in place of Andros Townsend, who dropped to the bench.

Ings, who started the game in an unfamiliar role at the tip of a midfield diamond, scuffed an early half-volley wide from the edge of the area before the visitors took an 11th minute lead.

Nikola Zigic easily won a flick-on from Murphy's throw-in and King was allowed ample room in the box to fire goalwards.

Grant got a strong arm to the shot and was unfortunate to have the ball ricochet off his head and into the net.

Burnley defender David Edgar might have brought his side level when he was afforded a free-header from Kieran Trippier's inswinging corner.

King had the chance to double his tally on the resumption when he charged clear of Edgar's attentions onto Chris Burke's through-ball, but some untimely hesitation allowed Michael Duff to make a last-ditch tackle.

Dean Marney hobbled out of the action following a challenge with Zigic and the introduction of Stanislas along with a switch to an attacking 4-4-2 revitalised Burnley.

Former West Ham winger Stanislas was involved as the Clarets came close to a spectacular equaliser in the 66th minute, springing the offside trap to bring Myhill from his area to clear. With the goal unguarded, Austin launched a speculative effort from distant that Blues centre-back Curtis Davies headed behind.

They came closer still and Stanislas was involved once more, storming into the right-hand side of the area for Ings to thump his cutback against the bar and Austin to nod the rebound back onto the woodwork.

The writing was on the wall when the equaliser arrived in the 74th minute. Stanislas popped up on the left this time to tee-up Wallace and his inviting cross was powered home by the unmarked Ings.

Birmingham immediately sprung from their slumber and, after Zigic drilled narrowly wide, they were back in front.

King outmuscled Edgar in typical fashion before racing into the box and picking out Mutch, who applied the finish.

Blues sealed the points when Murphy capitalised on Grant's 88th blunder from close range, before Ings blazed over when given the opportunity to set up an exciting finish.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1r15WaVRo

[Dunny]

Jobi McAnuff in action for Reading v Leeds on now. Link below:-

http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/44796/1/r...am-online.html

[Dunny]

Jobi McAnuff in action for Reading v Leeds on now. Link below:-

http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/44796/1/r...am-online.html

Reading 2 Leeds 0: Le Fondre's late double sinks Warnock's 10 men to send Royals top


By Sportsmail Reporter
PUBLISHED: 14:59, 6 April 2012 | UPDATED: 15:44, 6 April 2012

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Substitute Adam Le Fondre's late double sent Reading top of the npower Championship following a gritty win over 10-man Leeds.
The striker came off the bench to net twice in the final six minutes of a pulsating and at times ill-tempered clash at the Madejski Stadium as the visitors paid the price for the early sending-off of defender Zac Thompson.
Playing his first match since January 31, the youngster was sent off by referee Darren Drysdale after just 12 minutes, leaving Leeds to absorb wave after wave of Reading attacks.

Leaving it late: Adam Le Fondre came off the bench to score twice to send Reading top of the table



MATCH FACTS


Reading: Federici, Cummings, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Kebe, Karacan (Robson-Kanu 40), Leigertwood, McAnuff, Roberts, Hunt (Le Fondre 69), Robson-Kanu (Mullins 90).
Subs Not Used: McCarthy, Church.
Goals: Le Fondre 84, 90.
Leeds: Lonergan, Bromby, Bruce, Lees, Robinson, Snodgrass (Webber 85), Brown, Thompson, Pugh, McCormack (Rogers 85), Becchio (Forssell 87).
Subs Not Used: Paynter, Taylor.
Sent Off: Thompson (12).
Booked: Robinson, Becchio, Pugh.
Attendance: 22,775
Referee: Darren Drysdale


Ian Harte's teasing cross evaded everyone before striking a post after 20 minutes while, after the break, Alex Pearce saw his header cleared en route to goal.
Leeds had their chances to win it late on, with Ross McCormack and Robert Snodgrass going close without success.
Le Fondre thought he had put his side ahead with eight minutes remaining, only to be denied by an offside flag, but he made the most of his next two sights of goal to fire the Royals to the division's summit.
An already feisty atmosphere in front of a near full house intensified early on with the dismissal of Thompson for a wild lunge on Jobi McAnuff.
Immediately Reading seized the initiative and the visitors were fortunate to survive a scare in the 20th minute when Harte's vicious cross thumped against keeper Andy Lonergan's left-hand post.
Leeds could easily have been reduced to nine men two minutes later when Danny Pugh's terrible challenge on Jem Karacan went unpunished.
Off you go: Michael Brown and Robert Snodgrass protest to referee Darren Drysdale as he shows a red card to Zac Thompson

Despite their one-man advantage, the hosts failed to create a chance of any major significance for the remainder of the opening period.
And Leeds accelerated out of the traps in the second, with Robert Snodgrass drawing a good save from Adam Federici.
But Reading responded well and Pearce nodded Harte's set-piece onto the roof of the net after 60 minutes.
Enlarge Gunning for top spot: Reading's Jobi McAnuff tussles with Leeds' Sanny Pughl

Leeds were more than happy to soak up the pressure, and their sponge-like approach to defending almost paid dividends when McCormack's 20-yard effort rebounded to safety off an upright.
McCormack then teed up Snodgrass 12 yards out but Federici produced a good save, before the former Cardiff man's thunderous free-kick brought a fumble out of the Australian stopper.
At the other end, Pearce's goalbound header was cleared off the line while Le Fondre followed up McAnuff's deflected effort to slide home - only for his celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag.
But with seven minutes remaining, Reading finally found a way through.
Jimmy Kebe's deep cross to the back post was met by Hal Robson-Kanu who sent a delicate header back across goal for Le Fondre to chest home.
Two minutes later Le Fondre completed the job. Again the required finish came from less than two yards but the former Rotherham man was on hand to knock in Jason Roberts' cross-shot and spark mass delirium amongst the home supporters.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1rHPhAny1

[Dunny]

Jermaine Johnson with one assist in Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 win at Huddersfield. Lee Williamson played in Sheffield United's 2-1 win over Bournemouth, Zavon Hines scored Bournemouth's goal. Damion Stewart scored in Notts Counties 3-0 win at Leyton Orient. Marcus Bean was influential in Brentford's 3-0 win against Bury and Marlon King's Birmingham made it 3 wins on the spin beating Crystal Palace 3-1.

[Dunny]

Cardiff 1 Watford 1: Mackay slams 'horror' tackle after Nosworthy strike seals point



By Phil Cadden
PUBLISHED: 16:25, 9 April 2012 | UPDATED: 21:42, 9 April 2012

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Malky Mackay slammed the 'horrendous' tackle that resulted in Cardiff winger Craig Conway being forced off with a suspected broken ankle.

Conway was sent to hospital in Cardiff on Monday night for X-rays after the challenge by Watford midfielder Jonathan Hogg, and Mackay was fuming following the draw with his former club which kept his side in the final play-off place.

The Cardiff manager said: 'We have sent him for an X-ray and we hope he has not broken his ankle. I thought it was an appalling and horrendous challenge. It was a scissors tackle.


Late show: Nyron Nosworthy (centre) celebrates his equaliser for Watford

MATCH FACTS

Cardiff: Marshall, McNaughton, Taylor, Hudson, Turner, Whittingham, Cowie, Conway (Lawrence 38), Gunnarsson, McPhail (Kiss 56), Miller, Lawrence (Earnshaw 79).
Subs Not Used: Heaton, Harris.
Booked: Turner, Marshall, Kiss.
Goals: Miller 45.
Watford: Kuszczak, Dickinson, Taylor, Doyley, Nosworthy, Eustace, Buaben (Iwelumo 78), Murray, Assombalonga (Garner 46), Hogg, Deeney.
Subs Not Used: Loach, Bennett, Whichelow.
Booked: Assombalonga, Hogg, Nosworthy, Doyley.
Goals: Nosworthy 82.
Att: 21,259
Ref: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire).


'It was a sending-off for me. I'm disappointed for Craig because he started the game really well.'

The injury added to another frustrating afternoon at home for Cardiff. Kenny Miller scored his first goal in 17 appearances - his 150th in his league career - with a close-range header on the stroke of half-time to put Cardiff ahead.

Mackay said: 'The crowd haven't been on Kenny's back because they have seen the amount of work he has done for the team, so it was great to see him score.'

Miller also crashed an effort against a post after the interval and Cardiff skipper Mark Hudson missed a sitter from three yards.

But Cardiff's inability to hold on to a lead struck again when Nyron Nosworthy stabbed home with eight minutes left to leave the Welsh side without a home win in six matches.

Mackay said: 'If I had been offered me four points from six over the weekend, I'd have been happy.'

Watford manager Sean Dyche said: 'Once we settled, we were excellent and created enough to win the match.

'My players kept believing and that showed


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1rcPij1YK

[Dunny]

Marlon King's red hot form continues:-

Birmingham 2 Bristol City 2: Zigic earns point as Blues close in on play-off spot


By Sportsmail Reporter
PUBLISHED: 17:15, 14 April 2012 | UPDATED: 17:15, 14 April 2012

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Birmingham came from two goals down to extend their unbeaten run in the npower Championship to six matches.
Bristol City went ahead in the 21st minute through Stephen Pearson's superb strike and, in a first half of few chances, surged into a two-goal lead thanks to Jon Stead's effort.
Birmingham, who took most of the first half to settle, pulled a goal back thanks to King's deflected effort just before half-time and levelled on the hour mark courtesy of Zigic.

Happy days: Marlon King celebrates scoring Birmingham's first goal


MATCH FACTS

Birmingham: Doyle, Ramage, Caldwell, Davies, Murphy, Burke, Mutch, Fahey (Gomis 36), Townsend (Redmond 76), Zigic (Huseklepp 90), King.
Subs Not Used: Ibanez, Elliott.
Booked: Mutch, Murphy.
Goals: King 44, Zigic 61.
Bristol City: Gerken, Foster, Amougou, Carey, Fontaine, Skuse,
Cisse (Ephraim 78), Pearson, Woolford (Kilkenny 90), Stead (Adomah 73), Wood.

Subs Not Used: James,Bolasie.

Goals: Pearson 21,Stead 33.

Att: 23,230

Ref: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).


The home side pushed hard for a winner in the last third of the game, but in the end Chris Hughton's men had to make do with a point.
Zigic and Andros Townsend returned to the Birmingham starting line-up in place of Guirane N'Daw and Wade Elliott, while Colin Doyle began in goal for the Blues after regular keeper Boaz Myhill was injured in the warm-up.
Bristol City manager Derek McInnes made three changes to the side that beat Coventry 3-1 last time out.
Chris Wood came into the Robins' XI up front, with Brett Pitman suspended, while Louis Carey replaced Ryan McGivern in defence and Martyn Woolford and Kalifa Cisse were handed starts in midfield.
After a slow opening to the match, Birmingham came close to edging in front in the 12th minute.
Chris Burke played in Zigic, but the striker was denied by Dean Gerken in the visitors' goal before Liam Fontaine cleared the danger.
Townsend fired wide for the Blues six minutes later, as the play-off chasing hosts looked to dominate the early proceedings, but it was the away side who clawed in front after 21 minutes.
At the end of the flurry of passes, Woolford played in Pearson and the midfielder produced a fine left-footed finish to beat Doyle.
Birmingham tried to rally, with Townsend ballooning an effort over the bar from 30 yards, but they soon found themselves two goals behind.
Cisse found Stead, and the frontman manoeuvred himself into space before striking the ball across Doyle and into the left-hand corner.
Birmingham gave themselves a lifeline just before the break.
Jordon Mutch found King and, from a tight angle, the striker's shot deflected off Carey and ricocheted into the back of the net.
After the interval, Stead fired wide from Woolford's corner and Gerken saved from King at the other end as chances came at a premium for both sides.
Woolford drew a decent stop from Doyle after getting on the end of Ricky Foster's cross just before the hour but City were pegged back level three minutes later.
Burke delivered a perfectly weighted cross and Zigic was in the right place at the right time to nudge home.
Birmingham pushed hard for a late winner, with David Murphy nodding Mutch's corner over the crossbar from close range, but their guests soaked up long spells of pressure to secure a valuable point


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1s67P6CpJ

[Dunny]

Damion Stewart and Marcus Bean had good performances as thier teams battled out a 0-0 draw:-

Stalemate at Griffin Park

Last updated: 14th April 2012

Bidwell: Tangles for the ball with Sam
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• Brentford
• Notts County

Notts County maintained their grip on the League One play-offs with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against rivals Brentford at Griffin Park.
Jeff Hughes rattled the bar for the visitors just before the break, but that was the closest Keith Curle's side came to breaking the deadlock.
Brentford dominated for long spells and thought they had the three points in the bag late on, but Magpies defender Damion Stewart headed Sam Saunders' goal-bound free-kick off the line.
Bees striker Clayton Donaldson glanced a header inches wide when he got on the end of a Jake Bidwell cross headed back by Marcus Bean.
Donaldson also went close at the end of a flowing five-man move in a game where neither side looked like getting their noses in front.
The draw keeps County three points ahead of Brentford with the same games going into the last three games of the campaign