Championship wrap: Bad day for top sides

The top two teams in the Championship both dropped points on Saturday, as Southampton drew with Blackpool and West Ham lost at Reading.

League leaders Southampton led at home to Blackpool thanks to Rickie Lambert’s goal in the 30th minute at St Mary’s Stadium.

Blackpool levelled through Chris Basham six minutes later.

And the visitors were in front four minutes into the second half, with Callum McManaman the man on target.

Southampton looked to be heading for what would have been a third defeat in their last four matches.

But Lambert spared his team’s blushes when he equalised three minutes into injury time.

Southampton at least fared better than second-placed West Ham, who went down 3-0 at Reading.

The home side led through Alex Pearce’s goal after 66 minutes at the Madejski Stadium, with Simon Church scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to put the result beyond doubt.

The visitors, who have now lost two matches in succession, finished with nine men after second-half red cards were shown to Joey O’Brien and Jack Collison.

Elsewhere, third-placed Cardiff City missed a chance to close the gap on the leaders when they were held 0-0 away to Millwall.

Fourth-placed Middlesbrough did seize their opportunity, drawing level on points with Cardiff following a 1-0 win at home to Brighton.

Hull City defeated Coventry 1-0 away from home and climb to fifth place at the expense of Leeds United, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Watford.

Derby County won for the first time in seven matches, coming from behind to beat Bristol City 2-1 at home.

Nottingham Forest slipped into the relegation zone after suffering their fourth defeat in succession, a 1-0 loss at home to Crystal Palace.

Birmingham City mounted a comeback to beat Doncaster Rovers 2-1 at home, while a 90th-minute goal from David Norris saw Portsmouth snatch a 1-0 win away to Burnley.

And Leicester City were held to a 1-1 draw in their match at home to Peterborough.

More to follow…