CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-UP

ALEKSANDAR Mitrovic scored his third goal in as many games as Fulham beat Derby County to secure a 10th win in 13 matches and move above their promotion rivals into fourth.

Mitrovic’s deflected shot after a slick short corner and an angled Ryan Sessegnon strike put Fulham in control.

Derby, who have collected just 12 points from 30, rallied and Tom Huddlestone’s 18-yard shot made it 2-1.

But the Londoners held on despite some strong late home pressure.

Cameron Jerome and Richard Keogh both went close in stoppage-time but Fulham were good value for a win which takes them to within five points of second-placed Cardiff City.

The Rams struggled to cope with Mitrovic’s physicality all afternoon and the big Serbian striker had already threatened to open the scoring in a lively start at a bitterly cold Pride Park.

Sessegnon also had a shot saved by keeper Scott Carson, while Andreas Weimann saw an effort ruled out for offside at the other end following a slick move.

But Mitrovic reacted smartly to turn the ball in after good approach play by Stefan Johansen and the Norwegian midfielder then teed up Fulham’s second. A mistake by Richard Keogh gifted possession to Johansen, who played in teenager Sessengon for his 13th goal in his past 18 Championship matches.

The visitors could easily have added to their lead against a Derby side lacking in confidence, with Mitrovic and Floyd Ayite both wasting chances before the interval.

Gary Rowett’s Derby side upped both the quality and tempo on the resumption but Huddlestone’s fine strike was all they had to show despite a frantic finish which saw Jerome’s effort brush the post.

Elsewhere, Bobby Reid scored the first hat-trick of his career as Bristol City swept aside Sheffield Wednesday to move back into the Championship play-off places.

City, with just one win in 10 league games, scored three superb team goals to take control before half-time. Reid twice produced fine low finishes, the first after a one-two with Josh Brownhill, who made it 3-0 himself following Jamie Paterson’s backheel.

Reid netted his 19th of the season from the spot after Marlon Pack was fouled.

Substitute Sean Maguire scored twice on his return as Preston North End came back to beat Bolton Wanderers and end a run of four games without a victory.

Bolton had led when David Wheater’s initial header was scrambled away but Mark Beevers buried the follow up.

Elsewhere, Millwall were held 1-1 by Sunderland while Forest beat Birmingham 2-1.