Championship round-up: Derby put five past Nottingham Forest in derby drubbing
Derby have rekindled their automatic promotion hopes after midfielder Craig Bryson’s hat-trick led the Rams to an emphatic 5-0 derby victory over local rivals Nottingham Forest.
After going four games without finding the net, Derby went in front with Bryson’s first after six minutes, and he doubled the deficit when he tucked away from Chris Martin’s clever pass.
Midfield partner Jeff Hendrick got in on the act for their third after a swift counter-attack, with striker Johnny Russell hammering in the Rams’ fourth from outside the box before Bryson got his third from the spot.
It was all too much for Billy Davies’ side, who are now seven games without a win, while Steve McClaren's side are now ten points behind second-placed Burnley in third.
Meanwhile, the Clarets haven’t given up hope of catching table-topping Leicester after their 3-0 win over relegation-threatened Charlton closed the gap to just five points.
Ashley Barnes put Burnley in front shortly before the break at the Valley, with Sam Vokes’ 55th minute penalty doubling their lead before Michael Kightly’s added time strike ended the rout.
Burnley’s victory was made all the more crucial as Leicester dropped points in a 1-1 draw at Blackburn, Matt Kilgallon’s header ruling out Jamie Vardy’s earlier goal to clinch a point for Rovers.
Elsewhere, QPR struck twice in added time to come from behind against Middlesbrough and secure a 3-1 win at the Riverside.
Harry Redknapp’s side have been plagued with inconsistency in recent games, and they fell behind after 18 minutes following George Friend’s strike, though Yossi Benayoun equalised on the stroke of half-time.
And Rangers left it late to seal the win, with Bobby Zamora and Ravel Morrison both netting in the additional 6 minutes of play.
Promotion-pushing Wigan also came from behind to claim a 2-1 win over Watford to consolidate their play-off position. Lewis McGugan put the visitors ahead on 35 minutes, but his strike was ruled out moments later through Jean Beausejour’s header and Martyn Waghorn popped up in the box just after the re-start to secure a well-fought three points for the Latics.
A 82nd minute header from Bolton’s Zat Knight secured a 2-2 draw with bottom-three side Yeovil, the Trotters coming back from two goals down to secure a miraculous point.
Meanwhile, goals from Ross McCormack and Matt Smith gave Leeds a 2-1 win over Millwall, who slip into the relegation places, while Jobi McAnuff’s brace earned Reading a 2-1 triumph away at Birmingham.
Ipswich edge closer to the play-offs with a 2-0 victory over Brighton, while Ricardo Fuller’s fourth minute strike proved the only goal as Blackpool beat Huddersfield 1-0.
And finally, rock-bottom Barnsley were beaten by Bournemouth after Steve Cook’s 90th minute strike, while Doncaster overcame Sheffield Wednesday in a 1-0 win.