Stubborn Stoke slow down Blackburn push for play-offs

Blackburn failed to lay down a marker in the race for the top six as they could only draw 0-0 with a stubborn Stoke.

Tony Mowbray’s side had a golden opportunity to close the gap on the play-offs to two points after defeats for Bristol City and Preston on Tuesday but, in the first of an Ewood double-header, they were frustrated by a resilient defensive display that involved notable second-half saves by Jack Butland to deny Sam Gallagher and the in-form Adam Armstrong.

Barnsley’s quest to avoid relegation gained further momentum with a 1-0 victory at troubled Hull. Gerhard Struber’s side remain in the drop zone, but they have now won three Sky Bet Championship matches in succession thanks to Cauley Woodrow’s first-half goal.

Woodrow cashed in on George Long’s dreadful mistake after 42 minutes to claim a 14th league goal of the season. Barnsley are now just seven points adrift of Hull, who have not won in the league for nine games.

Wigan boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation with a welldeserved 3-0 victory at Reading. They went ahead through Kieffer Moore’s audacious flick before Jamal Lowe and Michael Jacobs secured the win.

Substitute Steven Fletcher’s stoppage-time goal gave Sheffield Wednesday a 1-0 victory over

Charlton for only their second win in 12 Championship games.

Wednesday created a host of chances to score, but a combination of wasteful finishing and an assured performance from opposition keeper Dillon Phillips kept the scoreline blank until Fletcher struck at the death.

Millwall and Birmingham played out a 0-0 draw at the Den, with the hosts unable to find their way past an inspired Lee Camp.