Championship round-up: Bolton relegation confirmed after Derby defeat
Saturday 9 April 2016 19:41, UK
Bolton’s relegation form the Sky Bet Championship has been confirmed after they lost 4-1 away to Derby.
Johnny Russell gave County the lead when he crashed a 25-yard effort into the top corner before Tom Ince doubled their advantage when he volleyed home Russell's cross.
Jacob Butterfield added a third before Zach Clough pulled one back from the penalty spot but Russell doubled his tally for the day to seal Bolton's fate.
Matt Derbyshire inflicted the first blow in the opening minute before Leon Best added another from the penalty spot on 17.
Kirk Broadfoot and Richard Smallwood got in on the act after the restart to leave the Dons six points adrift of safety and in danger of a swift return to League One having been promoted only last season.
At the other end of the table, Middlesbrough ended the day as they began it, just a point behind leaders Burnley.
But Boro held their nerve to defeat Preston by the same scoreline, with Albert Adomah scoring the only goal of the game in the first half after latching onto George Friend's low cross and finishing neatly after outfoxing goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard.
With Brighton not playing Nottingham Forest until Monday night, Hull had the opportunity to close the gap on the Seagulls.
Steve Bruce's side managed to do so but had to settle for a point after drawing 2-2 at Huddersfield in a game that had late drama.
Jamie Paterson broke the deadlock for the Terriers five minutes before the break with Abel Hernandez then equalising after Huddersfield failed to clear a corner.
The trip to West Yorkshire looked to be ending in defeat for Hull after Harry Maguire put through his own net in the final scheduled minute of the 90 only for Adama Diomande to head home in the third minute of time added on.
Hull's fellow promotion hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday also slipped up, shipping three goals in the opening period at Bristol City before going on to lose 4-1 in a game that included two penalties and two own goals.
One of those came when Owls' half-time sub Ross Wallace smashed a free-kick which came back off the post, hit 'keeper Richard O'Donnell, and went in off his head.
The two teams with the best chance of crashing the play-off party - Cardiff and Ipswich - did themselves no favours as they both slipped to defeats.
A stoppage-time goal from Emerson Hyndman gave Fulham a 2-1 win over Cardiff at Craven Cottage after Scott Parker had cancelled out Lex Imers' 41st minute opener for the Bluebirds.
Ipswich also slipped up as they suffered a 3-1 reverse at home to Brentford, with Luke Hyam sent off in first half injury-time after he picked up a second yellow card with Mick McCarthy's side already trailing to a Sam Saunders goal.
The Bees took full advantage, with Lasse Vibe bagging a brace to put the game beyond doubt, despite Liam Feeney netting a consolation effort two minutes from time.
Birmingham, who have a game in hand on most of the sides above them, kept their slim play-off hopes alive as goals from Clayton Donaldson and Ryan Shotton secured a 2-0 win at Reading.
There was late drama at Loftus Road where QPR were taking on Charlton in a London derby.
Jordan Cousins levelled matters after Matty Phillips had given the hosts the lead in first-half stoppage-time but Abdenasser El Khayati popped in to drill home the winner in the fourth minute of time added on to seal a 2-1 win.
Meanwhile, Wolves and Blackburn played out a goalless draw in a meaningless mid-table fixture at Molineux.
