Championship wrap: Blackpool stop Watford as Palace, Leeds draw

Blackpool defeated Watford 2-1 to deny the second-placed club a four-point buffer over Crystal Palace in the Championship.

Tom Ince and Gary MacKenzie both scored in the final quarter of an hour to deny Watford victory at Vicarage Road as 13th-placed Blackpool picked up their first win in six games – their first success under new manager Paul Ince.

Watford could have moved within two points of Championship leaders Cardiff City with a win on Saturday, while three points would also have meant a four-point gap over third-placed Crystal Palace, who drew 2-2 at home against Leeds United.

Gianfranco Zola’s side hit the front in the 27th minute when Cristian Battocchio tapped home Troy Deeney’s cross.

But the match got away from the home side late in the second half with Blackpool inspired by Ince junior.

Ince got on the end of Stephen Crainey’s cross to score the equaliser in the 76th minute and then 12 minutes later his corner was knocked across the line by MacKenzie.

On the other side of London, Palace gave up a lead and then had to come from behind to earn a draw against Leeds.

Glenn Murray gave Palace a 1-0 half-time lead with his 27th-minute header but Steve Morison looked to have stolen the points for Leeds with two second-half goals.

The visitors had limited possession throughout the match but levelled 11 minutes after the break when Morison scored from Luke Varney’s low cross.

The Welsh striker then produced a stunning volley in the 69th minute to give Leeds the lead but Palace earned a draw with six minutes remaining when Murray scored his 30th goal of the season in all competitions.

The draw sees Crystal Palace move above Hull into third place on goal difference but a victory would have seen Ian Holloway’s men take second spot from Watford.

Henri Lansbury scored twice for Nottingham Forest as they knocked off Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1, while Birmingham City defeated Derby County by the same scoreline.

Sheffield Wednesday, who sit 19th in the Championship, pulled off an upset 1-0 win over fifth-placed Leicester City, while Bristol City stunned Middlesbrough 2-0.

In other results, Bolton Wanderers defeated Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0, Charlton Athletic won 1-0 away to Huddersfield Town and Peterborough United claimed a point in a scoreless draw with Ipswich Town.