| Reading stretched their lead at the top of the | | | | the Hornets did not disappoint with goals from Ashley |
| Championship to 12 points with a professional victory | | | | Young, Marlon Kings, Darius Henderson and Jay |
| over struggling Southampton on Friday evening. | | | | DeMerit. |
| The bookmakers were taking no chances and the | | | | Derby's caretaker manager Terry Westley oversaw |
| Royals were a best-priced 4/9 to win their third match | | | | his second successive goalless draw at the expense |
| in a row and first half goals from Leroy Lita and Kevin | | | | of Leeds United. With just two wins in their last five |
| Doyle justified that decision. The Saints are now | | | | matches Leeds are seeing their chances of automatic |
| winless in six matches and could find themselves | | | | promotion fade. |
| dragged into a relegation battle. | | | | Preston North End extended their unbeaten run to 24 |
| Sheffield United dropped more points with a goalless | | | | matches with a thumping 5-1 win against floundering |
| draw at Plymouth Argyle. Following their 4-1 drubbing | | | | Luton Town. Billy Davies' side were 8/11 before kick |
| at Brammall Lane by Watford in midweek, the Blades | | | | off and found themselves 2-0 up through Lewis Neal |
| were 6/5 to win at Home Park but failed to break | | | | and David Nugent. An own goal from Tyrone Mears |
| down the resolute Pilgrims. | | | | halved Preston's lead on 82 minutes but he scored at |
| Free scoring Watford hit four goals for the third match | | | | the right end two minutes later. A stoppage time goal |
| running with a crushing victory over Coventry City. | | | | from Claude Davis and a penalty from Chris |
| Punters will have ploughed into the 5/6 available and | | | | Sedgewick completed the rout. |