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Championship round-up

Image: Kevin Phillips: Crystal Palace's hat-trick hero

Crystal Palace got the better of Hull City, Cardiff were held and Dean Saunders finally celebrated his first win as Wolves manager.

Palace edge out Hull; Cardiff held at home; Saunders can celebrate

Crystal Palace got the better of promotion rivals Hull City in a six-goal thriller, leaders Cardiff City were held at home and Dean Saunders finally celebrated his first win as Wolves manager. Watford climbed into second as a result of Hull's defeat, Leicester City's inconsistent form continued after a home draw with Leeds United and Huddersfield's late comeback stunned Middlesbrough. Bolton Wanderers took the North West derby honours in dramatic fashion, Ipswich Town finished with nine men against Nottingham Forest and the teams now in the bottom three all drew. Cardiff avoided a surprise home defeat after Craig Noone's 82nd minute goal snatched a 1-1 draw at home with Derby County. Kevin Phillips fired a hat-trick as Crystal Palace overcame Hull 4-2 at Selhurst Park to ensure only two points separate second from fourth in the table. Fernando Forestieri scored a second-half brace as Watford came from behind to move into the automatic promotion spots by beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at Vicarage Road. Leeds were denied a vital victory in their push for the play-offs after Michael Keane's last minute equaliser earned Leicester a 1-1 home draw. Mark Robins secured a first home win as Huddersfield manager after goals in the last four minutes from Alan Lee and Danny Ward clinched a 2-1 success over Middlesbrough. Goals from David Edwards and Sylvain Ebanks-Blake lifted Wolves out of the bottom three following a 2-0 success at Millwall. Peterborough United picked up a point in the battle for survival after Michael Bostwick's 71st minute leveller grabbed a 2-2 draw at home to Charlton. Barnsley warmed up for an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City at the weekend by salvaging a 1-1 draw at Burnley thanks to Tomasz Cywka's 84th minute equaliser. Bristol City remain bottom of the table after a 0-0 draw with play-off chasing Brighton & Hove Albion at Ashton Gate. Lewis McGugan struck an 84th minute winner as Nottingham Forest finally made their numerical advantage count to nick a 1-0 home win over Ipswich, who had Lee Martin and Richard Stearman sent off. Paul Ince is still waiting for his first win as Blackpool manager after Kirk Broadfoot's 74th minute goal earned a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City. Chris Eagles scored a 90th minute winner as Bolton continued their push for the play-offs with a 1-0 home triumph over local rivals Blackburn.

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