Championship round-up: Reading promoted to Premier League

Reading have confirmed promotion to the Premier League with a 1-0 home victory over Nottingham Forest.

The Royals gave themselves a great chance of going up thanks to a 3-1 win at rivals Southampton on Friday night.

And Mikele Leigerwood’s late goal sealed the deal, leaving them eight points clear of West Ham with just two games to play.

The Hammers’ hopes of automatic promotion all but disappeared following a 1-1 draw against struggling Bristol City.

The point gives Derek McInnes’ side a great chance of survival, they are now five points clear of danger, but Sam Allardyce’s men look destined for a play-off spot.

Southampton’s 3-1 win at Peterborough looks set to assure them at least second place and a spot in the top-flight next season.

At the bottom of the table Portsmouth lived to fight another day, following a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, but still look likely to drop into League One as they trail safety by five points.

Coventry are in a similar position and could also be doomed after they lost 1-0 against Millwall, they have a total of 40 points too.

Sixth-placed Cardiff opened a four-point lead over Middlesbrough in seventh as they bid to secure another chance in the play-offs.

The Bluebirds beat Derby 2-0, while Boro could only muster a goalless draw at home against Doncaster.

Above them Blackpool won 1-0 against Leeds while Birmingham were held 1-1 at Ipswich.

In the other games Hull sit six points away from a play-off place after a 3-1 win against Barnsley, Brighton’s losing run ended with a 2-2 draw against Watford and Leicester played out a 0-0 with Burnley.