Wolves blow their chance to return to top of table

WOLVES, like Cardiff, missed out on the chance to move back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship 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.

Bristol City moved into the playoff 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 on 14 minutes.

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.

In the late game, a hat-trick from Kieran Dowell helpd Nottingham Forest beat Hull 3-2.