Championship wrap: Top two stroll, West Ham lose ground

Southampton and Reading both recorded wins in the Championship on Saturday, while West Ham United drew again.

Nigel Adkins’ league-leading Southampton side continued on their merry way at the top, beating strugglers Doncaster Rovers 2-0.

Billy Sharp netted a second-half brace against his former club to see his side to a three points they were expected to collect.

Southampton remain five points clear at the top after Reading returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at home to Blackpool.

Coming off a surprise loss to Peterborough United, Brian McDermott’s Reading went 2-0 up after 35 minutes thanks to goals from Ian Harte and Alex Pearce.

Lomana LuaLua pulled a goal back for the visitors at Madejski Stadium, but the hosts restored their two-goal advantage through Mikele Leigertwood.

Meanwhile, West Ham United lost further ground on the top two after a 2-2 draw at Burnley.

Second-half goals from Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins saw West Ham secure their fifth straight draw after Marvin Bartley and Martin Paterson had netted for Burnley.

The draw leaves West Ham nine points adrift of Southampton, although Sam Allardyce’s men have a game in hand.

In other matches, Joel Lynch’s 90th-minute goal helped Nottingham Forest secure a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton and Hove Albion.

Sam Vokes had given the visitors a 63rd-minute lead, but they conceded late on and had Matthew Sparrow sent off.

Leeds United bounced back from their embarrassing loss to Forest as Ross McCormack’s goal saw them to a 1-0 win at Millwall.

Malaury Martin and Hogan Ephraim traded goals as Middlesbrough and Bristol City drew 1-1, while David Cotterill struck the winner in Barnsley’s 1-0 win over Peterborough United.

Derby County held on for a 3-2 win against Crystal Palace at Pride Park after conceding two late goals.

Steve Davies, Jeff Hendrick and Theo Robinson had Derby ahead before Chris Martin and Darren Ambrose pulled two goals back for Palace.

Watford came from behind to secure a 2-1 win at home to Ipswich Town, Leicester City did likewise in their 2-1 victory over Hill City and Portsmouth’s struggles continued with a 2-0 loss at Coventry City.