Saints march on towards Premier League

Southampton extended their formidable home record and boosted their promotion push as the Championship leaders defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 at St Mary's on Monday.

Brazilian Guly do Prado put the Saints into the lead with a 34th minute header, just reward for a dominant first-half display by the home team.

Another header from the Brazilian 13 minutes from time secured the points, stretching Southampton's unbeaten home run to 24 matches.

The victory extended Saints' lead at the top to three points as second placed West Ham blew the lead in a 1-1 draw at Birmingham in the day's late match.

England striker Carlton Cole had fired West Ham ahead in the fourth minute, but Sam Allardyce's side couldn't hold on and David Murphy equalised with just nine minutes to play.

Middlesbrough kept up the pressure on the leaders, grinding out a late 1-0 win against Hull at the Riverside Stadium.

Resurgent Hull came into the game on the back of four successive league wins, but caretaker manager Nick Barmby's side were beaten when Scotland midfielder Barry Robson fired in an unstoppable 30-yard drive three minutes from full-time.

Despite the defeat, Hull remain in the play-off places and within striking distance of the top two.

Cardiff, managed by former Watford boss Malky Mackay, stay in fourth after coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at Watford in one of the day's early fixtures.

Ghanaian midfielder Prince Bauben put Watford, who are unbeaten in seven, into a second half lead, but the Hornets were hauled back when defender Adrian Mariappa put through his own net with 10 minutes remaining.

Reading boosted their play-off hopes as a Jobi McAnuff brace and a late Adam El-Abd own-goal sent them to a comfortable 3-0 against Brighton at the Madejski Stadium.

A Matty Philips hat-trick helped free-scoring Blackpool to come from behind and claim a 3-1 win at Barnsley, keeping the Tangerines on the cusp of a play-off place.

Leeds fell out of the play-off spots after going down 1-0 at Derby.

Former Sheffield United striker Jamie Ward followed up on his own parried shot in the 67th minute to register only the Rams second win in nine games.

At the wrong end of the table, Coventry kept alive their slim chances of survival as a 72nd-minute strike from Irish midfielder Gary Deegan earned them three precious points against fellow-strugglers Bristol City.

The Sky Blues close the gap on their opponents, who hover one place above the relegation zone, to five points.

Two-time European Cup winners Nottingham Forest remain stuck in the relegation mire after losing 1-0 at home to Peterborough, former Forest-loanee George Boyd netting the winner.

Doncaster take up the other relegation spot following their 3-0 thumping by Burnley, who move to within three points of the play-offs.

Millwall's 1-0 win over Portsmouth, a first victory in four, earned them some breathing space over their relegation rivals.

Ipswich are now six points above the drop zone after earning a point at Leicester, but will have been disappointed not to claim all three.

Former Leeds midfielder Lee Bowyer put Town into an early lead, but a Paul Gallagher penalty awarded for a Jason Scotland hand ball ensured the spoils were shared.