Championship wrap: do Prado keeps Saints top

Southampton stay top of the Championship after a 2-0 home win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Saints manager Nigel Adkins entered the match on the back of a 23-match unbeaten home run in the league and they extended that thanks to a brace from Guly do Prado.

The Brazilian opened the scoring on 34 minutes as he headed home Steve De Ridder’s cross, leaving Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni with no chance.

And after Adam Lallana went close early in the second half, do Prado sealed the match with another header as Frazer Richardson’s cross ended in the back of the net.

Middlesbrough’s impressive form continued as Barry Robson’s late strike saw them defeat Hull City 1-0 for their fourth successive win.

Cardiff City remain fourth despite being held to a 1-1 draw at Watford, with an Adrian Mariappa own goal with 10 minutes to play giving the Welsh side a point.

Reading climbed into the top six after a 3-0 home success against Brighton, with Jobi McAnuff bagging two first-half goals for the winners.

Adam El Abd’s own goal in second half injury time added gloss to Reading’s fifth win in six while Blackpool moved to seventh as Matt Phillips bagged a hat-trick in their 3-1 win at Barnsley.

Burnley also made it five wins in six as they downed Doncaster Rovers 3-0, with Jay Rodriguez and Martin Paterson scoring for the winners while Sam Hird netted a late own goal.

Leeds United’s poor form continued as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Derby County, with Jamie Ward netting a second-half winner for Nigel Clough’s side.

Ipswich Town drew 1-1 at Leicester City, with Lee Bowyer’s early goal cancelled out by Paul Gallagher’s penalty while Nottingham Forest’s winless streak extended to six as they lost at home to Peterborough United, 1-0.

Coventry City remain bottom despite a 1-0 win against fellow strugglers Bristol City, with substitute Gary Deegan’s goal moving Andy Thorn’s side to five points away from safety.