Championship wrap: Varney grabs a point

Portsmouth debutant Luke Varney netted a 90th-minute equaliser to earn his new side a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough in the Championship.

Varney, who was on loan at Blackpool last season from Derby County, joined the Fratton Park club for a reported fee of 750,000 pounds in the off-season, and it looks like money well spent as he denied the Boro an opening day three points at Riverside Stadium.

Last season’s League One champions Brighton & Hove Albion gave their fans a thrilling start to their Championship campaign, coming from behind to beat Doncaster 2-1 at Falmer Stadium.

Rovers led courtesy of Billy Sharp’s 39th-minute goal, but a brace from substitute Will Buckley – including a goal in the eighth minute of second-half injury time – ensured the promoted club got their season off to the perfect start at Amex Community Stadium.

Ipswich Town accounted for Bristol City 3-0 at Ashton Gate Stadium, with Michael Chopra netting a brace for the visitors.

Promoted Peterborough United came from a goal down to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 at home, as second half goals from Grant McCann and David Ball gave Darren Ferguson’s men an ideal opening win.

Reading stole a late point from their fixture against Millwall, with Mathieu Manset scoring a brace in the space of three minutes to earn a 2-2 draw.

Millwall led 2-0 in the 86th minute after earlier goals to Darius Henderson and John Marquis, before Reading’s French signing struck twice late.

Burnley similarly came from two goals down to take a point from their clash with Watford, which ended 2-2.

Watford led 2-0 in the 77th minute, but late goals at Turf Moor to Charlie Austin and Keith Tracy gave Eddie Howe’s side a point.

Derby County got off to a flying start at Pride Park, beating last season’s Premier League side Birmingham 2-1.

Chris Hughton’s City led after 19 minutes via Curtis Davies, but the Rams were level when Jason Shackell found the net seven minutes later.

It was another Davies – Steve, of the Derby variety – who got on the scoresheet, scoring the decisive goal for the hosts in the 42nd minute.

Nottingham Forest and Barnsley finished scoreless at The City Ground, while in the earlier kick-off, Leicester City beat Coventry City 1-0 away from home.

Both Leicester and Coventry finished with 10 men after first-half red cards were dealt to Darius Vassell (Leicester) and Carl Baker (Coventry).