LEADING THE WAY

A goal in each half from Guly Do Prado helped leaders Southampton maintain their unbeaten home record in the npower Championship this season with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

Guly headed home a Steve De Ridder cross in the 34th minute before adding a second, another header this time from a Frazer Richardson delivery, with 13 minutes left to stretch Saints' unbeaten league run at St Mary's to 24 matches.

Third-placed Middlesbrough kept pace with the leaders after Barry Robson's stunning strike in the closing minutes earned them a hard-fought 1-0 win over fourth-placed Hull City, ending the Tigers' four-match winning run.

HAPPY TRIPS HOME

Matty Phillips' hat-trick saw Blackpool came from behind to beat Barnsley 3-1.

George Boyd returned to the City Ground, where he spent a spell on loan, to give Peterborough United a 1-0 win over struggling Nottingham Forest

ELSEWHERE IN THE DIVISION

Cardiff City have now gone three league games without a win following a 1-1 draw with Watford on manager Malky Mackay's return to Vicarage Road. Prince Buaben gave Watford, now unbeaten in seven, the lead in the 62nd minute with his first goal for the club but an Adrian Mariappa own goal with 10 minutes remaining rescued a point for the Bluebirds.

Reading boosted their chase for the Play-Offs, the Royals beating Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 thanks to Jobi McAnuff's brace and Adam El-Abd's late own goal.

Jamie Ward's second-half goal earned Derby County a 1-0 win over Leeds United at Pride Park. Ward was on hand to convert after his initial 67th minute shot had been parried by Andy Lonergan and the Rams hung on for what was just a second win in nine and a first clean sheet in 15.

At the bottom of the table, Coventry City earned a much-needed win over relegation rivals Bristol City thanks to a solitary goal from Gary Deegan while a late goal from Dany N'Guessan helped Millwall claim a first win in four games as they beat Portsmouth by the same scoreline.

Ipswich Town were pegged back to draw 1-1 with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium after an eventful start. Michael Chopra saw his first-minute penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel before Lee Bowyer did put the visitors ahead in the fourth minute, but Paul Gallagher levelled from a 69th minute spot-kick after Jason Scotland handled.

Burnley hammered Doncaster Rovers 3-0 thanks to a Jay Rodriguez penalty and late goals from Martin Paterson and a Sam Hird own goal.