Hatters douse Forest’s fire to give promotion hopes a massive boost CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW
LUTON boosted their promotion hopes as they leapfrogged fellow hopefuls Nottingham Forest after a 1-0 win at Kenilworth Road.
Kal Naismith scored from the spot eight minutes before the break after Jack Colback’s handball in the area, and the Hatters held on despite Sonny Bradley’s 77th-minute dismissal.
Forest’s defeat handed Fulham the opportunity to seal their return to the Premier League with victory over Derby in the late kickoff.
Bournemouth gave further hope to the chasing pack after failing to win for a fourth successive match with a 0-0 draw at home to Middlesbrough.
Scott Parker’s side failed to break down play-off chasing Boro and were just five points clear of third-placed Huddersfield ahead of their late kick-off against QPR.
Sheffield United’s play-off hopes were dealt a blow after a shock home defeat to Reading, who gave a major boost to their survival chances.
Lucas Joao put Reading into a shock lead after 17 minutes but the Blades appeared to have snatched a late point through Iliman Ndiaye in the 90th minute.
Tom McIntyre went down the other end and earned Reading a vital win to move them nine points clear of danger.
Blackburn failed to capitalise on the Blades’ slip up after losing at relegation battlers Peterborough.
Rovers were reduced to 10 men when Tayo Edun received his second yellow card after 41 minutes.
Ben Brereton-Diaz hammered the 10 men ahead after 77 minutes but Sammie Szmodics levelled six minutes later.
Jack Marriot scored the winner three minutes from time but Posh remain nine points adrift of safety.
Coventry kept alive their playoff hopes after coming from 2-0 down to win 4-2 at Birmingham.
Kristian Pedersen headed in from a corner after 12 minutes and Gary Gardner made it 2-0 six minutes before the break.
But Mark Robins’ men were soon back on level terms as Ben Sheaf struck twice before halftime.
And the Sky Blues completed their comeback when Michael Rose headed in after 71 minutes, before Callum O’Hare grabbed a late fourth.
West Brom snatched an addedtime winner to beat Blackpool 2-1.
The Baggies were ahead three minutes before the break through Andy Carroll but Blackpool, now winless in five, hit back to level through Marvin Ekpiteta.
Karlan Grant struck three minutes into stoppage time to keep the Baggies’ unlikely play-off charge alive.
Preston and Millwall also drew 1-1 while Jay Dasilva’s 84th-minute winner gave Bristol City a 1-0 win at Stoke.