Championship Betting Review - 23 April 2006

Summary: Reading's pursuit of the Championship points record will be decided on the final game after Sheffield Wednesday held them to a 1-1 draw.

Reading's pursuit of the Championship points record will be decided on the final game after Sheffield Wednesday held them to a 1-1. Dave Kitson gave the Royals the lead nine minutes before the break but Steve MacLean equalised from the penalty spot on 59. The 9/4 draw takes Reading's points tally to 103, two shy of Sunderland's record. Already promoted Sheffield United also recorded a 1-1 away draw at Luton. Ahmet Brkovic gave the home side the lead after 72 minutes but Michael Tonge's equaliser in injury time set up a 9/4 draw. Watford stretched QPR's winless streak to 10 matches as they won 2-1 at Loftus Road and ensured they would play their home leg in the play-offs second. Marc Nygaard gave the Hoops the lead via a penalty on 39 but Ashley Young equalised three minutes later. The 6/4 Hornets secured victory 12 minutes from time when Georges Santos put the ball into his own net. Leeds recorded their first win in nine matches at the expense of relegated Crewe. David Healy struck the decisive goal for 6/10 United after 74 minutes. A goal two minutes before half-time denied Preston all three points at Hull. Simon Whaley gave North End the lead after 33 minutes but an own goal from captain Youl Mawene 10 minutes later secured a 9/4 draw. Crystal Palace won their first match in four attempts against mid-table Southampton. Andy Johnson gave the 9/10 Eagles the lead after 63 minutes but Ricardo Fuller equalised for the Saints six minutes later. Substitute Clinton Morrison made sure of a home win with nine minutes remaining. A Kenny Miller penalty after 31 minutes secured a 7/10 win for Wolves against relegated Brighton. However, the result was overshadowed by an unhappy Molineux crowd who chanted "disaster", "Hoddle out" and "sack the board" throughout the match. Robert Earnshaw returned to Ninian Park and struck the winner for 11/5 Norwich as they beat Cardiff 1-0. Wales international striker Earnshaw, who spent seven years with the Bluebirds, struck the decisive goal after 16 minutes. Ipswich ended an eight-match winless streak with a 2-0 victory against Derby. Nick Forster gave the 6/5 Tractor Boys the lead a minute after the break and Darren Currie made sure of the points on 65. Relegated Millwall gave themselves some pride with a 1-0 victory over Burnley. Marvin Williams scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time for the 7/5 Lions.