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