Championship wrap: QPR downs Cardiff, Coventry on move

Queens Park Rangers moved five points clear at the top of the Championship with a 2-1 win over title-rivals Cardiff on Saturday.

The two best sides in the division clashed at Loftus Road in a thoroughly entertaining match that highlighted the strength of England’s second-tier.

The win kept QPR’s superb 19-match unbeaten streak alive but it was not easy for Neil Warnock’s men, who went behind early.

The Championship’s most potent strike duo – top-scorer Jay Bothroyd (13 goals) and Manchester City loanee Craig Bellamy – linked up for the Welsh side’s opener, with Bellamy finishing after impressive build-up work from his strike partner.

But QPR quickly responded, with Latvia defender Kaspars Gorkss grabbing an equaliser just five minutes after Cardiff had taken the lead.

Both sides had their share of opportunities but failed to take advantage, before QPR top-scorer Adel Taarabt scored his ninth of the season in timely fashion.

Cardiff threw everything at QPR late on in an attempt to find an equaliser but none was forthcoming as the Londoners once again built a handy buffer at the top of the table.

Coventry City climbed to fifth with a 2-0 away triumph at Scunthorpe United.

Three successive league losses saw Coventry drop down the table, but a win over Burnley seven days ago lifted spirits and the Sky Blues carried on, with goals to Gary McSheffrey and an own goal from Scunthorpe goalkeeper Joe Murphy giving Chris Coleman’s side an impressive victory.

Middlesbrough came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Hull City but still remain in the relegation zone.

A disappointing crowd of just over 15,000 saw Robert Koren give Hull a 20th-minute lead, but Leroy Lita struck an equaliser nine minutes later.

Koren was again involved as Anthony Gerrard put Hull in front on the stroke of half-time, but Scott McDonald’s goal just after the break levelled proceedings and neither was able to find a winner.

Bristol City’s resurgence continued with a 3-0 home triumph over Sheffield United at Ashton Gate, with Brett Pitman’s double crucial.

The former Bournemouth striker scored two first-half penalties before Jamie McAllister sealed the result just on the hour mark.

In other matches, Pablo Counago’s 35th-minute goal gave Crystal Palace a 1-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers while Reading and Leeds United played out a dull 0-0 draw at the Madejski Stadium.

There were no goals at Barnsley and Watford or Preston and Millwall either, with both matches finishing in goalless draws.

Burnley and Derby will contest the late kick-off at Turf Moor.