Championship round-up

Reading go top of The Championship after a 5-0 victory over Millwall.

Reading moved to the top of The Coca-Cola Championship with a crushing 5-0 victory over struggling Millwall, who now sit bottom.

The Royals took a four-goal lead into half time, thanks to a brace from Bobby Convey, and goals from James Harper and Dave Kitson. Millwall, who had Andy Marshall sent off in the first period and did not have a keeper on the bench, battled in the second half, but still conceded a further goal to Steve Sidwell, who headed home Glen Little's corner.

Sheffield United joined Reading on nine points after a last gasp 2-1 win at home to Preston. The Blades were forced to come from behind after Paul McKenna gave the visitors the lead with a superb free kick on 34 minutes. United found their way back into the game through a Neil Shipperley overhead kick, before Danny Webber stole the points in the last minute.

Stoke also stole victory late on as they overcame Luton 2-1 at The Britannia Stadium. Luton went ahead early thanks to Dean Morgan, but the game changed on the dismissal of Steve Howard for violent conduct. Marlon Broomes equalised on the hour before David Brammer's 35-yard thunderbolt took the points for Stoke.

Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday joined Millwall in the bottom three after away defeats to Hull and Ipswich respectively. Goals from Ryan France and Ben Burgess wrapped up the points for Hull, whilst Richard Naylor and Ian Westlake scored to see off Wednesday, for whom Lee Peacock grabbed a late consolation.

Leeds enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Wolves at Elland Road to move into the play-off zone, although Glenn Hoddle's men will feel a little aggrieved after they created the lion's share of the chances. Eddie Lewis gave Leeds the lead from 18 yards, before Rob Hulse sealed matters on the hour.

Watford also moved into the top six with a 3-1 triumph at home to Burnley. Garreth O'Connor cancelled out Marlon King's opener, before Gavin Mahon restored The Hornets' lead. And a controversial third from Matthew Spring wrapped up the points for Watford.

Cardiff are sitting just outside the relegation zone after a 2-1 defeat at Pride Park. Morten Bisgaard drilled a right-footed strike in from six yards before Inigo Idiakez converted a penalty after a foul by Neil Cox. Cameron Jerome gave Cardiff hope with an overhead kick but it proved to be in vain against Derby.

Coventry made a great start to life at The Ricoh Arena, winning 3-0 against Queens Park Rangers. Claus Jorgensen opened the scoring on 11 minutes, heading home from 18 yards from a Gary McSheffrey cross. Dele Adebola then notched a brace with two finishes from close range. Rangers' misery was compounded by the second half dismissal of Danny Shittu, who saw red for a professional foul on Adebola.

Two of last season's Premiership sides, Southampton and Crystal Palace, both registered 1-0 victories over Norwich and Plymouth respectively. A Nigel Quashie penalty was enough for The Saints to see off Norwich at St Mary's, whilst a Darren Ward strike secured the points for Palace.

Crewe and Leicester played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at The Alexandra Stadium, although Craig Levein will be the happier of the two managers. Crewe raced into a two-goal lead, opening the scoring in the first minute through Luke Varney. Mark Rivers grabbed the second with an 18-yard strike. Leicester reduced the deficit on half time through a superb strike from Danny Tiatto before Joey Gudjonsson levelled matters with a penalty after a foul by Gary Roberts.