Championship wrap: Leeds leave it late, Cardiff draw

Two late Lucciano Becchio goals turned a Leeds United deficit into three points over Crystal Palace 2-1 in the Championship on Saturday.

The visitors came to Elland Road with a positive mindset and silenced the home fans when Neil Danns found the bottom left corner of the net, beating Kasper Schmeichel in the dying stages of the first half.

But as has often been the case for United this season, Becchio saved the day, scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to send Leeds into sixth on the table.

Cardiff City fell further behind league leaders Queens Park Rangers after they were held to a 1-1 by Preston North End at the Millenium Stadium.

The Championship cellar-dwellers went ahead in the 26th minute when Michael Tonge scored, and they looked to be on their way to an upset victory until Andrew Keogh scored in second-half injury timeto snatch a share of the points for Cardiff.

Swansea moved to within a point of Cardiff after they came from behind to beat Ipswich 3-1 on the road.

Roy Keane’s side were full of confidence after securing a spot in the Carling Cup semi-finals in mid-week, and they took the lead in the 50th minute through Andros Townsend.

But two goals to Craig Beattie, including a stunning long-range effort, and a strike from Joe Allen handed Swansea the ascendancy and kept the pressure on Cardiff.

Derby fell out of the top six after losing 2-1 at home to Norwich City.

David Fox and Chris Martin scored within two minutes of one another within the first quarter of an hour to put Norwich 2-0 up, before Kris Commons pulled one back for the hosts in the 17th minute.

Coventry City maintained their spot in the top six on the table with a 1-0 win over battling Middlesbrough.

Marlon King stepped up to score from the spot in the 78th minute, further deepening the woes of the Riverside Stadium outfit.

Watford climbed above Leicester City after beating them 3-2 in a pulsating affair at Vicarage Road.

The hosts led 2-0 after 22 minutes, courtesy of John Eustace and William Buckley goals, but a second-half brace from Paul Gallagher squared the scoreline at 2-2.

But Danny Graham restored the lead for the hosts in the 85th minute, and it happened to be the winner as Watford grabbed a valuable three points.

Five Championship fixtures were postponed on Saturday due to frozen pitches: Portsmouth v Burnley, Nottingham Forest v Bristol City, Sheffield United v Reading, Hull City v Queens Park Rangers and Doncaster v Barnsley.