READING MOVED TO the summit of the Championship after Adam Le Fondre’s late double secured victory over 10-man Leeds in the Madjeski Stadium.
The visitors started the brighter but lost Zac Thompson after just 13 minutes following a rash challenge on Jobi McAnuff.
However, after frustrating Brian McDermott’s men for much of the game, the Leeds’ defence finally crumbled when Le Fondre forced home Hal Robson-Kanu’s cross in the 84th minute.
The former Rotherham United player secured the win five minutes later when he sidefooted home following good work from Jason Roberts.
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Burnley 1 – Brighton 0
Despite more than seven minutes of second half stoppage time, promotion chasing Brighton were unable to get a result against a Burnley side that started the day in 16th place.
Charlie Austin got the only goal of the game in the 23rd minute as the former Swindon striker reacted quickest when his initial shot was saved by Seagulls’ ‘keeper Peter Brezovan.
The loss in such a scrappy game, referee Carl Boyeson dished out seven yellow cards, puts a serious dent in Brighton’s playoff ambitions.
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Watford 0 – Blackpool 2
Two goals from Stephen Dobbie were enough to earn Blackpool all three points over Watford and cement fifth place in the Championship.
Taking his tally to four goals in the last two games, the on-loan Swansea striker scored his first in the 25th minute, beating fellow loanee Tomasz Kuszczak at the end of a penetrating run.
His second came from the spot in the 70th minute after Kuszczak was ruled to have brought down Thomas Ince.
The loss sees Watford remain in 11th place, just behind fellow losers Leeds.
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