The penultimate weekend of the Championship season served up drama, surprises and significant results galore as the race for the playoffs and the battle against the drop both took unexpected twists.
The shock of the day came at the DW Stadium, where Wigan Athletic were beaten 2-0 by Blackpool in a result that saw the Latics drop to sixth and the Seasiders move out of the bottom three.
Elsewhere, Millwall managed to pick up a point against Queens Park Rangers as Derby County secured third place in the league, while relegation-threatened Charlton Athletic, Birmingham City and Doncaster Rovers were all beaten.
It was a sad day for Barnsley fans as well as they were relegated from the division courtesy of a 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
You can read how an action-packed afternoon of Championship football unfolded with Sports Mole's live coverage below.
Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining us for what promises to be a huge day in the Championship season as 20 teams take part in the penultimate weekend. There is plenty to play for over the final two games of the campaign, with a fascinating playoff race and intriguing relegation battle still to be decided.
First things first, let's take a look at the matches we have on offer this afternoon:
Sheffield Wednesday vs. Bolton Wanderers;
Bournemouth vs. Nottingham Forest;
Doncaster Rovers vs. Reading;
Charlton Athletic vs. Blackburn Rovers;
Huddersfield Town vs. Leicester City;
Queens Park Rangers vs. Millwall;
Middlesbrough vs. Barnsley;
Wigan Athletic vs. Blackpool;
Derby County vs. Watford;
Birmingham City vs. Leeds United.
One thing that has already been decided this season is who will be automatically promoted to the Premier League. Leicester City have been crowned champions having led the way for the majority of the season, while Burnley will join them in the top flight having sealed promotion on Monday. The Clarets are currently beating Ipswich 1-0, which would take them to within four points of Leicester at the top.
There are, of course, three promotion spots up for grabs, however, and it remains a mystery who will make up the playoffs this season. Derby and QPR are already assured of their places, while victory for Wigan today would be enough for them to join those two teams. The final place is hotly contested, however, and this afternoon will have a big say on who could get it.
The bad news for Ipswich is that it definitely will not be them. They have just seen the playoffs become a mathematical impossibility courtesy of a 1-0 defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor. That game has just ended, leaving Brighton, Reading, Nottingham Forest, Blackburn, Bournemouth and - at a push - Watford still in with a shout.
At the other end of the table, another fascinating battle is shaping up, with no fewer than six teams still in danger of being relegated. There are only two spots up from grabs in the bottom three now, however, after Yeovil's loss to Brighton last night confirmed that they will be playing League One football next season. Barnsley will join them in being relegated today if they fail to win.
Alongside Barnsley and Yeovil it is Blackpool who make up the bottom three, but they are only behind Birmingham City on goal difference. Charlton, Doncaster and Millwall are also in the mix, and three points for any of those sides today would go a long way to achieving safety.
So, plenty to look forward to today on what could be a decisive afternoon in the Championship season. We could end the day with the relegation battle effectively sewn up should results go against Blackpool due to their poor goal difference, while the playoff race could be left with just two still standing at the end of play. Let's take a look at all of our games...
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY VS. BOLTON WANDERERS: Both of these sides do not have much to fight for in the final two games of the season, and they will be delighted at that. They have both been threatened by relegation at different points in the season, but respective good runs of form have seen them climb to safety. They are now separated by just one place and two points, and Wednesday would leapfrog Bolton in 14th with a win today.
Wednesday have been leaking goals recently, letting in 17 in their last six and 10 in their last three at home, However, Bolton have scored just eight times in their last 10, conceded six in the same period. Prediction: 1-1.
BOURNEMOUTH VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST: It is a huge match at Dean Court today as both sides are still in with a shout of reaching the playoffs. Bournemouth's surprise late charge has faltered recently, however, with a three-match winless streak following on from their five victories in a row. They would leapfrog Forest with a win, but Gary Brazil's side could also move to within one point of the top six should they be victorious, depending on results elsewhere.
Forest have turned things around just in time to remain in the chase having slipped out of the top six with a 13-match winless streak in all competitions. They have now won their last two, but that spell of poor form could prove costly as their fate is now out of their own hands. They face Brighton on the final day of the season, and a victory this afternoon would make that a potentially crucial encounter. Prediction: 1-1.
DONCASTER ROVERS VS. READING: There is everything to fight for at both ends of the table at the Keepmoat Stadium, where relegation-threatened Doncaster could drag themselves to safety should they win and other results go their way. However, they have not won in five matches and have lost their last three games at home, a poor run of form right when they didn't need it.
Reading, meanwhile, were displaced in the top six by Brighton's win over Yeovil last night, but qualification for the playoffs is still in their own hands. They would move back into sixth win a win today, and six points from the final two games would ensure that they take part in the post-season. However, they have lost their last two away games, conceding six goals and scoring just one, while their season finale sees them face a tricky test against promoted Burnley. Prediction: 1-2.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC VS. BLACKBURN ROVERS: Another game with implications at both ends of the table, Charlton could secure safety with a win at the Valley today. That would require Blackpool to fail to beat Wigan, but survival is very much in the Addicks' hands with a game in hand and slightly superior goal difference. They will certainly want to secure safety before the final day, however, as they take on fellow strugglers Blackpool.
Blackburn's playoff hopes are still very slim, but they have a mathematical chance of making the top six if results go their way. However, even a victory may not be enough for them today as they trail Reading by three points and have a worse goal difference by the Royals. Rovers are, however, unbeaten in 10 games and have lost just one of their last nine away. Prediction: 2-2.
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN VS. LEICESTER CITY: There isn't much to fight for from the home team's point of view at the John Smith's Stadium. They are already safe from relegation and will now just be looking forward to the end of the season. However, they will be keen to end a five-match winless streak at home having won for the first time in 11 games against Yeovil last time out.
For Leicester, meanwhile, it will be their first game since being crowned champions on Tuesday, so they could treat the match as something of a victory parade. However, they have the 100-point barrier in their sights and would need four points from the final two games to reach that milestone. They have gone 12 games without defeat on the road and have lost just once in their last 25 league games overall. Prediction: 0-2.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS VS. MILLWALL: QPR went into the season as favourites to go up automatically, so the playoffs may be something of a disappointment for them. However, they are now guaranteed a place in the top six and need a win to stand any chance of catching Derby in third for a kinder playoff draw on paper. They have the second best home record in the league having lost just twice at Loftus Road all season.
Millwall, meanwhile, have hit form at the perfect time to propel them to the verge of safety, although should results go against them today then they could end up back in the bottom three. They are unbeaten in six games and have won three away matches in a row. That record on the road stretches to four wins in their last six, a remarkable turnaround considering they had won just once on their travels all season before that. Another win today, coupled with a Blackpool loss, would be enough to secure their Championship status for another season. Prediction: 1-1.
MIDDLESBROUGH VS. BARNSLEY: For Middlesbrough, a top-half finish remains the only realistic goal having seen playoff become a mathematical impossibility. They are two points adrift of 12th-placed Watford having played a game more but lost to Millwall last Saturday. They have lost just twice at the Riverside in their last 12 games there.
Barnsley simply must win to keep any hopes of survival alive. A draw could leave them three behind Birmingham, but they have the worst goal difference in the league, effectively adding another point to their deficit. However, they have just one win and four defeats in their last six games and take on QPR on the final day of the season, so they may already be resigned to playing League One football next season. Prediction: 2-0.
WIGAN ATHLETIC VS. BLACKPOOL: Wigan Athletic would secure their place in the playoffs with a victory today, although their game in hand means that even failure to win would still leave them as favourites to join Derby and QPR. They have only lost once at home in their last 13 matches at the DW Stadium but have just two wins from their last seven games overall.
Blackpool need to start picking up points having amassed just 12 from the last 81 available. That equates to just two wins from their last 28 matches in all competitions, while they have not picked up a victory in seven games. They have the worst away record in the division and have not won in 15 games on the road. They could be relegated today if other results go against them, but they will be desperate to still be in with a shout going into their final-day meeting with Charlton. Prediction: 3-0.
DERBY COUNTY VS. WATFORD: Derby have already booked their place in the playoffs, and a draw today would be enough for them to effectively clinch third place due to their superior goal difference. That would give them a more favourable playoff draw on paper, and they are currently the form team going into the post-season having won their last four matches and lost just one of their last 10 at home.
Watford are still in with a mathematical shout of the playoffs themselves courtesy of their game in hand, but they would need to win all three of their remaining matches and would also need other results to go their way, so it is not a realistic possibility for the Hornets. They have just one win in their last 17 away games and have won just four times on the road in the league all season. Prediction: 2-1.
BIRMINGHAM CITY VS. LEEDS UNITED: Birmingham find themselves only out of the bottom three on goal difference but do have the advantage of a game in hand over the majority of the teams around them in the table. However, they have two of their three matches at St Andrew's where they have amassed a league-low 14 points this season. They have not won in front of their own fans in 16 matches and have lost three in a row overall. Despite that, a win today coupled with a Blackpool defeat would make them effectively safe thanks to their far superior goal difference.
Leeds, meanwhile, will just want a tumultuous season to end now as they look ahead to a summer of change under new owner Massimo Cellino. The one-time playoff contenders have slipped to 16th in the table have lost six of their last eight games. Their win over Yorkshire rivals Barnsley on Saturday was their first in eight away matches. Prediction: 0-1.
There are all 10 of our games previewed and predicted, but this is the Championship so anything could happen this afternoon. I certainly don't expect it to be short of drama today and the playoff and relegation battles will surely take a few more twists and turns over the final two weeks of the season.
We're nearing kickoff around the country now, so I just have time to fill you in on the two results that have already come in on gameweek 45. Brighton beat Yeovil 1-0 at the Amex last night to put themselves back into the top six and relegate the Glovers, while Burnley ended Ipswich's playoff hopes earlier today with another 1-0 victory at Turf Moor.
KICKOFF: And we're off! Bournemouth are the first to get us underway in their game against Nottingham Forest, which could have a big say on the playoff race. Doncaster and Reading have also begun, and the others will follow swiftly, I am sure.
Sure enough, we're now underway in all 10 of our Championship matches this afternoon. Let the goals commence!
It has been a bright start from Bournemouth at Dean Court, with Matt Ritchie firing an effort just wide and Grabban also threatening early on. Both sides need a win there to keep their playoff hopes alive.
GOAL! Derby County 0-1 Watford
Our first goal of the afternoon comes at the iPro Stadium, and it is the visitors who have taken the lead! Troy Deeney beat the offside trap for Watford to race through on goal before firing the ball into the roof of the net. Poor start from Derby, who only need a draw to clinch third place.
There has been an early chance for Wednesday at Hillsborough, but Michail Antonio fired his shot over the top having broken free of the defence. The Owls are looking to leapfrog Bolton in the table with a win today, remember.
GOAL! Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Bolton Wanderers
Bolton break the deadlock at Hillsborough inside 10 minutes as Jermaine Beckford does well to get to the byline before crossing for Neil Danns to bundle home. The Trotters' are on course to get straight back to winning ways there.
It has been a bright start for in-form Millwall at Loftus Road against their London rivals QPR. Both Williams and Martin have had decent chances in the opening 11 minutes, but it remains goalless. A victory could be enough for Millwall to reach safety depending on other results.
Birmingham have had a couple of early chances to break the deadlock at St Andrew's, with Tom Adeyemi in particular squandering a really good opportunity with only Jack Butland to beat. He put his shot over the bar having been played through by Lee Novak, who himself fizzed a shot wide earlier in the match.
Bournemouth are still on top at the Goldsands, where De Vries has been forced into a smart stop to deny Grabban after a lovely move from the hosts. Forest are struggling to get a foothold in that match.
The first clear chance of the afternoon at the Valley has fallen the way of the hosts as Harriott latched on to a dinked pass from Poyet in the box, only to see his shot on the turn well blocked. Still goalless between Charlton and Blackburn there.
Champions Leicester have had the first good goalscoring opportunity against Huddersfield at the John Smith's. James floated a free kick into the area and Wood rose highest to connect with it, but he couldn't keep his header down. A point in that match would leave Leicester needing a win on the final day to reach the 100-point mark.
GOAL! Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Bolton Wanderers
Bolton have a second at Hillsborough courtesy of Lee Chung-Yong. He broke free of the defence before sliding the ball under Kirkland to double the visitors' lead moments after Antonio had missed a good chance from inside the area.
Derby have responded well to that early goal for Watford and are seeing the lion's share of possession now, but still nothing to show for it. Martin has just sent a shot trickling wide from a good position, but it remains goalless. Watford have also had two players booked already in that game.
WIGAN PENALTY SAVED! Wigan have just missed a glorious chance to break the deadlock against Blackpool having been awarded a penalty for a foul on Maloney. Martyn Waghorn stepped up to take the kick but Matt Gilks got across to make what could prove to be a priceless save.
GOAL! Doncaster Rovers 1-0 Reading
What a huge goal that could be at both ends of the table! Doncaster take the lead against Reading through a Coppinger tap-in after Billy Sharp had played the ball across to him. That is a huge boost to Doncaster's survival hopes and a massive blow to Reading's playoff aspirations.
GOAL! Charlton Athletic 0-1 Blackburn Rovers
GOAL! Derby County 1-1 Watford
It is double delight for Doncaster as fellow struggler Charlton fall behind moments after they have taken the lead. It is Rudy Gestede who has got the goal for Blackburn, glancing his header past the keeper to boost Rovers' slim playoff hopes.
Derby have also levelled things up against Watford thanks to a powerful finish from Hendrick, who lashed the ball home after Forsyth's cross had fallen to him inside the box.
GOAL! Sheffield Wednesday 0-3 Bolton Wanderers
It is fast turning into a nightmare for the Owls at Hillsborough as they find themselves 3-0 down after little more than half an hour. It is a spectacular strike that extends Bolton's lead, however, with Trotter firing a looping half volley into the top corner from all of 35 yards.
GOAL! Huddersfield Town 0-1 Leicester City
The champions are ahead at the John Smith's courtesy of a fine strike from Gary Taylor-Fletcher against his former club. It was a quick counter that damaged the hosts as Dyer led the breakaway for Leicester to score. Moments earlier, James had smashed the bar with a thunderous strike that bounced down onto the line, although the referee deemed that it had not crossed.
Wigan are still on top at the DW Stadium against Blackpool, but the visitors are just about holding on. Since the saved penalty both Waghorn and McManaman have threatened without being able to break the deadlock.
Millwall have their goalkeeper to thank for still being level with QPR at Loftus Road. Forde has pulled off a fine double save to deny first Niko Kranjcar and then Charlie Austin to ensure it remains goalless in the London derby. Just before that, Maierhofer tried a 50-yard lob having spotted Green off his line, but his ambitious effort flew over.
GOAL! Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 Bolton Wanderers
It's all happening at Hillsborough this afternoon! Wednesday pull a goal back against Bolton, and it is another fine strike as Mattock volleyed the ball past the keeper after an initial corner had been cleared. Surely the Owls won't be able to come back from this? They were on the receiving end of a comeback against Charlton in their last outing, of course.
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-0 Nottingham Forest
A potentially huge goal in the race for the playoffs as Bournemouth take the lead against Forest just before half time. Simon Francis was the creator, sending a cross into the box that Yann Kermorgant nodded home at the back post.
CHARLTON PENALTY SAVED! A big chance for Charlton to level the scores goes begging as Sordell was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box. He stepped up to take the kick himself, but smashed it straight down the middle where Robinson was waiting to make the save. How costly could that prove to be?
The half-time whistles are starting to sound around the country now after an action-packed 45 minutes of Championship football. There are some very interesting results as things stand, but there is also plenty of time for that all to change in the second half.
Huddersfield have come within inches of levelling things against Leicester, but Moore did brilliantly to clear the danger off the line. It was Wells to had the shot having met Scannell's cut-back, but the club's record signing saw his effort denied by the Leicester defender.
HALF TIME: Right, all 10 of our matches are now at the halfway stage, and we are nicely poised for an even better second 45 minutes with plenty left to fight for. Doncaster are in a great position to boost their survival hopes as things stand, while Reading's playoff chances are taking a massive blow.
Before we go into depth about what the current scorelines would mean for particular teams, let's take a look at how things stand in all 10 games at the halfway stage...
HALF-TIME SCORES:
Birmingham 0-0 Leeds;
Bournemouth 1-0 Nottingham Forest;
Charlton 0-1 Blackburn;
Derby 1-1 Watford;
Doncaster 1-0 Reading;
Huddersfield 0-1 Leicester;
Middlesbrough 0-0 Burnley;
QPR 0-0 Millwall;
Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 Bolton;
Wigan 0-0 Blackpool.
Ironically, the game of the day so far has come at Hillsborough, where Sheffield Wednesday trail Bolton 3-1 in a match with nothing really at stake. The visitors raced into a three-goal lead in a little over half an hour before the Owls pulled one back before the break. Could we see a remarkable comeback in that game?
Arguably the most notable scoreline at the moment is at the Keepmoat, where Doncaster lead Reading. As things stand, Rovers would be three points clear of the drop zone going into the final match, while Reading would remain two points out of the playoff positions.
Charlton, meanwhile, will be just one point clear of the bottom three if everything stays the same, while Blackburn, who currently lead the Addicks, would jump up to eighth and be just two behind the playoff places going into the final day. So far it is Gary Bowyer's side who seem to be the biggest winners this afternoon.
You can check out the Championship table as things stand by clicking here. Derby will secure third place if everything stays the same, with both themselves and QPR drawing at the break. There is no change in the bottom three at the moment in terms of positions.
Games are beginning to get back underway now, with Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest once again the first to get going, Wigan and Blackpool are also back playing in a match that has seen the hosts have a penalty saved. As things stand, though, a draw would be enough for them to clinch a playoff place.
GOAL! Bournemouth 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Bournemouth didn't take long to get started in the second half! They have doubled the lead within two minutes of getting back underway courtesy of a powerful Lewis Grabban strike from close range. As things stand, Forest will be out of the playoff race while Bournemouth would be three points behind going into the final day, albeit with a vastly inferior goal difference.
We're now back underway in all 10 of our matches this afternoon. A lot could rest on the next 45 minutes for many of the teams in action today, so we should be set for an action-packed second half.
Blackburn look to double their lead in the early stages of the second half at the Valley, but Conway's effort from range was straight at Hamer, who made the save.
GOAL! Charlton Athletic 0-2 Blackburn Rovers
Moments after Conway threatened to add a second, Blackburn do double their advantage. Conway is involved again, delivering a fine free kick into the area that Keane latched on to, nodding it home. Big blow for Charlton, that.
GOAL! Bournemouth 2-1 Nottingham Forest
GOAL! Middlesbrough 0-1 Barnsley
GOAL! Charlton Athletic 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
GOAL! Middlesbrough 1-1 Barnsley
A flurry of goals to tell you about, starting at The Goldsands where Forest have pulled a goal back through Greg Halford's powerful header from Ben Osborn's free kick. Elsewhere, Barnsley take the lead through Jean-Yves Mvoto but Boro hit straight back to equalise within a minute through Lee Tomlin. Charlton have also pulled a goal back against Blackburn thanks to Marvin Sordell, who inspired them to come from two down in their last outing as well. Surely not again?!
GOAL! Wigan Athletic 0-1 Blackpool
GOAL! Birmingham City 0-1 Leeds United
GOAL! Birmingham City 0-2 Leeds United
What a nightmare few minutes for Birmingham! First, Blackpool take the lead courtesy of a Keogh header to drop City into the bottom three, and then they concede twice in as many minutes to trail Leeds 2-0 at St Andrew's! First Matt Smith nodded home Tonge's cross before Danny Pugh fired home a fine strike to double his side's lead.
GOAL! Derby County 2-1 Watford
GOAL! Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Reading
Derby County have completed their turnaround against Watford thanks to a Forsyth goal against his old club following good work from Bryson. Meanwhile, Doncaster's survival hopes are pegged back by an Adam le Fondre penalty to level the sides at the Keepmoat.
GOAL! Charlton Athletic 1-3 Blackburn Rovers
Any hopes of a Charlton comeback have been quelled by a third goal for Blackburn. It was Cairney who got the goal, finishing off a move he started by slotting a rebound home after Jordan Rhodes had seen his shot blocked on the line.
GOAL! Wigan Athletic 0-2 Blackpool
GOAL! Bournemouth 3-1 Nottingham Forest
Unbelievable scenes at the DW Stadium, where Blackpool have doubled their lead over Wigan against all the odds. Scorer of the first goal Andy Keogh this time turns provider to set up Stephen Dobbie, who fires his shot into the back of the net. Elsewhere, Bournemouth have restored their two-goal advantage thanks to a Lewis Grabban penalty after Pugh was fouled by Jara inside the box.
RED CARD! Marco Cassetti (Watford)
GOAL! Derby County 2-2 Watford
Plenty of drama at the iPro Stadium as Watford are reduced to 10 men but manage to equalise just moments later! Cassetti was the man dismissed for a second yellow card following a foul on Bryson, but while Derby looked increasingly like adding a third before the sending off, it is Watford who get the goal through Ranegie's header from Anya's cross. Incredible!
GOAL! Huddersfield Town 0-2 Leicester City
Champions Leicester have surely wrapped up the win at the John Smith's Stadium now, with Wes Morgan doubling their lead. If they can hold out for the victory, they would be up to 99 points going into the final game of the season.
The Championship table as things stand makes fascinating reading now. Blackpool, would you believe, would climb all the way up to 18th if everything stays the same, with Birmingham replacing them in the bottom three. Barnsley, meanwhile, will be relegated today if they can't regain the lead against Boro.
GOAL! Birmingham City 0-3 Leeds United
GOAL! Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Millwall
Things just go from bad to worse for Birmingham as Paul Caddis turns the ball into his own net when trying to defend Ross McCormack's low cross. Millwall also suffer a blow as QPR break the deadlock at Loftus Road thanks to a penalty from Charlie Austin. Jackson was the man penalised for a handball inside the area.
GOAL! Birmingham City 1-3 Leeds United
Birmingham pull a goal back late on through Federico Macheda, but surely it is too little too late for the hosts now. Macheda's strike looks like being a mere consolation goal and, unless Birmingham can pull of a remarkable comeback, they will end the day in the bottom three.
Birmingham pull a goal back late on through Federico Macheda, but surely it is too little too late for the hosts now. Macheda's strike looks like being a mere consolation goal and, unless Birmingham can pull of a remarkable comeback, they will end the day in the bottom three.
GOAL! Derby County 3-2 Watford
GOAL! Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Reading
Derby regain the lead against 10-man Watford thanks to a beauty from Hendrick, who picked out the corner from distance with a fine strike. It is heartbreak for Doncaster as Reading complete their turnaround courtesy of a Pavel Pogrebnyak strike. The Royals will be back in the top six as things stand.
GOAL! Derby County 4-2 Watford
GOAL! Bournemouth 4-1 Nottingham Forest
Derby cap off the victory that secures third place for them courtesy of Martin's 20th goal of the season. Bournemouth also seal all three points at Dean Court, with Yann Kermorgant getting his second of the afternoon to end Nottingham Forest's playoff hopes.
GOAL! Middlesbrough 2-1 Barnsley
GOAL! Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Millwall
Barnsley's relegation to League One is all but sealed as Danny Graham nets an 89th-minute strike for Boro to leave the visitors needing two goals in stoppage time. Millwall, on the other hand, get a crucial late goal as Malone fires past Green, who got a hand to the shot but couldn't keep it out.
GOAL! Middlesbrough 3-1 Barnsley
FULL TIME: Wigan Athletic 0-2 Blackpool
FULL TIME: Bournemouth 4-1 Nottingham Forest
GOAL! Doncaster Rovers 1-3 Reading
FULL TIME: Charlton Athletic 1-3 Blackburn Rovers
FULL TIME: Doncaster Rovers 1-3 Reading
FULL TIME: Huddersfield Town 0-2 Leicester City
FULL TIME: Middlesbrough 3-1 Barnsley
FULL TIME: Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Millwall
FULL TIME: Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 Bolton Wanderers
FULL TIME: Derby County 4-2 Watford
FULL TIME: Birmingham City 1-3 Leeds United
FULL TIME: Birmingham City 1-3 Leeds United
So ends another action-packed afternoon of Championship football, and what a momentous day it has proved to be. There have been seismic shifts at both ends of the table, with Blackpool flying up the table with an unexpected win and Reading coming from behind to move up to fifth, plunging Wigan right back into the playoff battle.
The biggest news, however, must be that Barnsley have been relegated after falling to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough. The Tykes actually took the lead at the Riverside, but Boro hit straight back before scoring twice in the closing stages to consign Danny Wilson's side to League One football next season.
Birmingham have joined Barnsley and Yeovil in the bottom three following yet another home league defeat this season, this time at the hands of Leeds. Blackpool and Millwall both picked up vital points to aid their own survival hopes, when Charlton were beaten by Blackburn and Doncaster squandered a one-goal lead to lose to Reading.
What that means is that five teams are now separated by three points in the battle to avoid the one remaining relegation spot. To make things even more interesting, Charlton and Birmingham have a game in hand over the other teams currently down there, so the scenario on the final day next weekend could be different still.
At the other end of the table, Derby have secured third place with a 4-2 victory over 10-man Watford, although they were forced to come from behind at the iPro Stadium. QPR could only draw with Millwall but fourth place is now definitely theirs after Wigan fell to a shock home defeat to Blackpool. That result saw the Latics drop to sixth, below Reading on goal difference.
Bournemouth, Ipswich, Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and Watford have all seen their playoff hopes become a mathematical impossibility today, leaving Blackburn, Brighton, Wigan and Reading to battle it out for the final two places on the final day of the season. Wigan could have secured their spot by then if they beat Birmingham in their game in hand, however.
CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK 45 RESULTS:
Burnley 1-0 Ipswich;
Birmingham 1-3 Leeds;
Bournemouth 4-1 Nottingham Forest;
Charlton 1-3 Blackburn;
Derby 4-2 Watford;
Doncaster 1-3 Reading;
Huddersfield 0-2 Leicester;
Middlesbrough 3-1 Barnsley;
QPR 1-1 Millwall;
Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 Bolton;
Wigan 0-2 Blackpool.
Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was an action-packed afternoon of Championship football, and a potentially pivotal day in the seasons of a number of clubs. I will leave you with a look at the table as it stands after today's results, and be sure to join us again next week for what promises to be a dramatic final day. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
