Championship round-up

Nottingham Forest boosted their promotion ambitions with another win as Alan Irvine and Darren Ferguson had contrasting starts in their new jobs.

Swansea City boosted their play-off ambitions as local rivals Cardiff City drew away from home and Mick Harford started his tenure as Queens Park Rangers' caretaker boss with an away point.

Sheffield United and Crystal Palace also enhanced their prospects of finishing in the top six, while Ipswich Town snatched a thrilling win at home to Coventry City.

Derby County claimed a much-needed three points away to nine-man Peterborough United and Watford are still searching for a first away win since October after losing at Doncaster Rovers.

Forest made it 18 games unbeaten in the Championship after a 2-1 triumph at home to Reading as Nicky Shorey was sent off against his former club.

Ferguson's first game as Preston North End manager ended in disappointment after Bristol City cruised to a 4-2 victory at Ashton Gate.

Jermaine Johnson ensured it was a happy start to his tenure for Irvine as Sheffield Wednesday won for the first time in 12 league games after a 2-1 success at local rivals Barnsley.

QPR twice came from behind to deny Blackpool manager Ian Holloway victory against his old club following a 2-2 draw at Bloomfield Road.

Gorka Pintado's first goal since March last year moved Swansea up to fourth spot in the table after a 1-0 win at home to play-off rivals Leicester City.

Doncaster responded to Sean O'Driscoll staying on as manager by holding on for a 2-1 win over Watford at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Richard Cresswell scored for the third game in a row as his second-half effort was enough to earn Sheffield United a 1-0 win at home to Middlesbrough.

Pablo Counago poached an injury-time winner as Ipswich beat Coventry 3-2 after Richard Wood's stoppage-time own goal appeared to have earned the visitors a draw.

Cardiff maintained their spot in the play-off places after coming from behind to draw 1-1 away to Scunthorpe United.

The in-demand Victor Moses was Palace's hero as he struck the only goal of the game in the first half in a 1-0 win at lowly Plymouth.

Derby claimed a first Championship win in five games after taking advantage of Peterborough having two men sent off in the first half to prevail 3-0 at London Road.