Championship wrap: Southampton held in dramatic draw

Southampton returned to the top of the Championship table after a 2-2 draw with rivals Portsmouth on Saturday.

Reading briefly occupied top spot in England’s second-tier after a 2-0 win over Leeds United on Friday, but Nigel Adkins’ side did enough to displace them, albeit on goal difference only.

Billy Sharp opened the scoring for Southampton after 27 minutes, much to the delight of the packed St Mary’s Stadium crowd.

Scot Chris Maguire produced a quick response for Portsmouth though, levelling nine minutes before the break.

A tense second half looked to have been finally decided when Sharp netted his fourth goal in just three matches, in the first minute of injury time.

But Southampton’s celebrations were cut short by David Norris’ 94th-minute equaliser which gave Pompey a point that could be vital in their fight against relegation.

Michael Appleton’s side – who were deducted 10 points in February for entering administration – sit five points adrift of safety with five games to play.

Chris Burke, Keith Fahey and David Murphy all scored in the space of 11 first-half minutes as Birmingham City beat Crystal Palace 3-1 at St Andrew’s.

Owen Garvan pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time but Chris Hughton’s side recorded a comfortable victory.

Ben Turner and Joe Mason netted first-half goals for Cardiff City, who won 2-0 at Middlesbrough, while Leicester City thumped Doncaster Rovers 4-0.

Danny Drinkwater, Lee Peltier, Ben Marshall and Paul Gallagher all netted for Nigel Pearson’s side against the bottom-placed Rovers.

Harry Kane and Andrew Keogh – on loan at Millwall from Tottenham and Wolves respectively – both scored as Kenny Jackett’s men beat Hull City 2-0, while Derby County and Ipswich Town played out a goalless stalemate.

Coventry City’s home fixture against Peterborough United also ended with honours even, as Emile Sinclair’s 76th-minute equaliser gave the visitors a point in a 2-2 draw.

More to follow