Brum rivals waste chances in stalemate
BIRMINGHAM and Aston Villa fought out a goalless draw in an entertaining Sky Bet Championship derby at St Andrew’s.
The arch-rivals both had excellent chances to win the game, Jota wasting Birmingham’s best opportunity while Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia was denied by goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak before Keinan Davis hit the City post.
Birmingham, who have failed to beat Villa in their last 11 league meetings, are now two points clear of the relegation zone while sixthplaced Villa are level on points with Leeds in fifth.
On Saturday Wolves missed out on the chance to move back to the top as they suffered a third defeat of the season against Queens Park Rangers.
Conor Washington gave QPR the lead shortly before half-time, only for the visitors to equalise just two minutes later through Leo Bonatini.
A point would have been enough to take Wolves above Sheffield United on goal difference, but Matt Smith had other ideas and headed the winner for QPR after 82 minutes.
Cardiff could also have claimed top spot with a win, but were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Millwall.
Bristol City moved into the play-off places thanks to a 2-1 win at struggling Sunderland, who remain in the bottom three after another disappointing display at the Stadium of Light.
Bobby Reid headed the visitors in front on 28 minutes and although Lewis Grabban equalised in the last seconds of the first half, substitute Milan Djuric’s second-half header gave the Robins all three points.
Ipswich ended a run of three straight defeats thanks to a 2-1 win at Burton, who took the lead through Ben Turner’s 57th-minute header.
Martyn Waghorn equalised nine minutes later and Bersant Celina’s brilliant late free-kick gave Mick McCarthy’s side the win.
Middlesbrough were also celebrating an away victory as they eased to a 2-0 victory over Reading, with Grant Leadbitter opening the scoring from the penalty spot.
Britt Assombalonga had been brought down in the box and he scored his side’s second midway through the second half.
Brentford were another side to enjoy a successful away day as they edged a five-goal thriller at Preston.
Nico Yennaris saw his header cancelled out by Sean Maguire and Tom Barkhuizen equalised for a second time after Romaine Sawyers put Brentford 2-1 ahead, but the Bees were not to be denied and Ollie Watkins grabbed the winner on 69 minutes.
Derby climbed above opponents Norwich in the table thanks to a 2-1 win at Carrow Road, with Sam Winnall scoring an 84th-minute winner after David Nugent’s goal had been cancelled out by Timm Klose.
And there was late drama at Craven Cottage as Tom Cairney’s last-minute strike gave Fulham a 1-1 draw against Bolton, who had opened the scoring on 28 minutes via Sammy Ameobi.
In the day’s early kick-off, Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley drew 1-1 in the South Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough, Harvey Barnes scoring a superb equaliser for the Tykes after Adam Reach had opened the scoring.