posted on Nov, 20 2004 @ 02:04 PM
Coca-Cola Championship leaders Wigan's rocky run continued after a 0-0 draw at home to Leicester made it three successive matches without a win. The
result means second-placed Ipswich can claim top spot should they beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
But the result of the day came at Elland Road where Leeds' struggling season was given a huge boost after a 6-1 victory over QPR.
Brian Deane was the star man with four goals - his first hat-trick in 12 years - and the victory was all the more remarkable as the hosts had fallen
behind to Gareth Ainsworth's opener after just 96 seconds. However, David Healy equalised after nine minutes and Jermaine Wright crossed for Deane to
tap in from close range four minutes later. Wright made it 3-1 at the second attempt in the 23rd minute before Deane completed his treble with two
goals just before half-time. The veteran striker then netted a fourth in the 72nd minute to leave the visitors, in fifth place this morning, in
disarray.
Nottingham Forest, another illustrious side struggling at the foot of the table, were lifted by their first win in seven championship matches as
Gareth Taylor's 26th-minute goal was enough to see off high-flying Reading.
Coventry increased the misery for managerless Wolves after Gary McSheffrey's 61st-minute goal was enough to beat their midlands rivals at Molineux.
Sheffield United leapfrogged today's opponents Derby into seventh place thanks to Alan Quinn's solitary goal just after the hour.
Dean Ashton struck twice in the second half as Crewe beat Gillingham 4-1. David Vaughan opened the scoring in the first half before Ashton's double
and a late strike from Steve Jones. Gillingham's Darius Henderson had briefly made it 3-1.
Robbie Blake's 70th-minute goal was good enough For Burnley to see off Brighton while Plymouth v Stoke and Watford v Rotherham both finished
goalless.
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