Championship Review (21/03/06)

Last updated : 21 March 2006 By Gary Calder

Watford and Sheffield Wednesday gained most from the Coca-Cola Championship fixtures played at the weekend (and in the Golden Boys' case, Monday night).

In front of the Live Sky Sports TV cameras, two goals by the in form Darius Henderson ensured Watford took full advantage of further slips by the division's top six on Saturday, as they defeated a below par Southampton 3-1 at St Mary's.

Henderson's strikes, either side of goals by Gavin Mahon (pictured) for Watford and Peter Madsen for the Saints moves the Hertfordshire side up into third place, and now just three points behind faltering Sheffield United in the race for automatic promotion.

The Blades' poor run continues as they lost for a fourth time in eight matches, this time at Nigel Worthington's Norwich City.

Chris Armstrong gave Neil Warnock's men the perfect start at Carrow Road firing home as early as the 17th minute, but the Bramall Lane outfit failed to capitalise on their good start and late first half goals by Leon McKenzie and Rob Earnshaw proved sufficient to defeat a side that a few weeks ago, seemed guaranteed a spot in next season's Premiership.

David Healy rescued a point for Leeds United at Coventry City after they trailed for over an hour at the Ricoh Arena. Gary McSheffrey fired the play-off chasing Sky Blues in front with his 15th goal of the campaign just after the midway point of the first half, but Northern Ireland international Healy kept his cool to slot home a potentially priceless penalty for Kevin Blackwell's outfit with two minutes remaining.

Crystal Palace shared four goals with Ipswich Town in an entertaining encounter at Selhurst Park, marred only by the sending off of on loan Tractor Boy, Ricardo Fuller.

The game started well for Palace and Aki Riihilahti headed them in front, only for Tom Soares to put through his own net to give the Suffolk visitor's half time parity.

When Clinton Morrison netted early in the second half it appeared that Iain Dowie's men would cruise to victory but Fuller snatched a second equaliser for the men from Portman Road before inexplicably seeing red for an offensive gesture to the assistant referee.

Runaway leaders Reading had to settle for their second home draw in seven days as a Kenny Miller stunner on 64 minutes levelled matters for Glen Hoddle's Wolverhampton Wanderers, who had trailed to Bobby Convey's first half opener for Steve Coppell's team.

Sheffield Wednesday gave themselves breathing space at the lower end of the table as Billy Davies' Preston North End's play-off chances went for a Burton!

To be precise it was messers, Dean Burton and Burton O'Brien who scored in either half to ensure a two goal home success for Paul Sturrock's battlers who have now opened up a five point gap over third from bottom Millwall.

The New Den
The Lions meanwhile continue to struggle especially at home and fell to their tenth New Den loss of the season, this time at the hands of Rob Kelly's much improved Leicester City. Stephen Hughes grabbed the all important goal in a one nil win to give Kelly a sixth success in nine attempts since taking over from Craig Levin.

Brighton & Hove Albion also remain in deep trouble, but did mange to get on the score sheet for the first time in three matches courtesy of a Marcus Bignot own goal in their game at Queens Park Rangers.

Gareth Ainsworth gave the Loftus Road faithful hopes of an eighth home win of the campaign, but after Kevin Gallen had been sent off for the first time in his long career, Bignot's blunder, ten minutes from time did at least manage to salvage a point for Mark McGhee's increasingly desperate side.

The day's three remaining games all ended in one goal home wins for Luton Town, Stoke City and Hull City respectively.

The prolific Steve Howard struck to guide Mike Newell's Hatters to a narrow victory over Derby County at Kenilworth Road, and Stuart Green's 16th minute effort at the KC Stadium did likewise for Hull City, who edged closer to safety at the expense of now doomed Crewe Alexandra.

The biggest sigh of relief must however have come at the Britannia Stadium, as a Paul Gallagher goal proved enough to give ailing Stoke City only their second league triumph in 14 games against a Burnley side that has now lost six consecutive matches, a depressing sequence of results that has left them beginning to look anxiously over their shoulders at the bottom three.