Newcastle United maintained their place at the summit of the Coca-Cola Championship despite being held 2-2 by Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. The Magpies drew first blood in the North East derby, courtesy of former Rangers winger Peter Lovenkrands’ dipping effort after just 16 minutes play.

Midfielder Barry Robson, a January buy from Celtic, evened up the score for Middlesbrough ten minutes before half-time as the Toon failed to make the most of their dominance. After the break, former Celtic striker Scott McDonald sent the home side into a 74th-minute shock lead, making it a good day for former players of the Old Firm.

The league-leaders continued to dominate proceedings but, with a whopping 63% share of possession, they struggled to create the chances their play deserved. However, the equaliser finally came in the 82nd minute courtesy of another header, Newcastle’s main source of goals this term, as Andy Carroll rose high to power in a deserved leveller.

Chris Hughton’s men preserved their position at the top but saw a two-point chunk bitten out of their lead after second-placed West Brom won 3-2 at home to Blackpool.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest’s automatic promotion hopes took a major knock as they went down 3-2 to Preston. Swansea failed to fully capitalise on Forest’s slip up as they were held 0-0 at home to Sheffield Wednesday, but the Swans remain comfortable in 4th spot.

Martyn Waghorn scored the only goal of the game as surprise-package Leicester kept up their play-off hopes with a 1-0 win over 6th-placed Cardiff. Outside the top six, Coventry remain in the hunt for a play-off finish but were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Plymouth Argyle.

New QPR boss Neil Warnock returned to his old club Sheffield United but was unable to keep up his 100% record with Rangers as they were held 1-1. Doncaster cemented their position in the top half with a 2-1 win over Derby at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Elsewhere, crisis club Crystal Palace grabbed a further point towards safety as they drew 0-0 away to Barnsley while Reading continued their resurgent form with a comfortable 2-0 win over Bristol City.

Ipswich had 16-year-old debutant Connor Wickham to thank for all three points as his injury time winner sealed a 1-0 over Scunthorpe town. Meanwhile, basement club Peterborough revitalised their slim survival hopes with a 1-0 win over Watford at Vicarage Road.
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