Bamford strikes twice for promotion-chasing Leeds

LONDON: Patrick Bamford's two goals reignited Leeds' automatic promotion charge in the English Championship on Tuesday.

Marcelo Bielsa's side returned to second spot with a 2-0 win at 10-man Preston after Saturday's defeat at Birmingham and now sit two points ahead of third-placed Sheffield United.

The Blades travel to Birmingham on Wednesday, while leaders Norwich, who are five points clear of Leeds with a game in hand, host Reading.

Bamford opened the scoring at Deepdale in the 62nd minute when his superb low drive found the bottom corner from 25 yards and his header from 12 yards sealed the points for Leeds with 14 minutes remaining.

Bristol City survived a West Brom fightback to win a 3-2 thriller at Ashton Gate and move up to fifth.

The Robins raced into a 3-0 lead inside 20 minutes before Albion tried to mount a second-half recovery.

Josh Brownhill cashed in on sloppy Baggies defending to score after 62 seconds and Andi Weimann added a second in the 16th minute.

Three minutes later Jack Hunt scored his first goal for seven years but Dwight Gayle pulled a goal back for the Baggies just after the break.

Jay Rodriguez made it 3-2 with 16 minutes left but Bristol City hung on to inflict successive defeats on Albion, who sit fourth.

Joe Rothwell's first Blackburn goal helped Rovers to a 2-0 win over Derby, denting the Rams' promotion push.

Middlesbrough cashed in, beating Bolton 2-0 to leapfrog Derby and stay in touch with the top six. Tony Pulis's side are two points behind Aston Villa, having played a game more, while Bolton remain second bottom, eight points from safety with five games left.

Sheffield Wednesday kept their slim play-off hopes alive with a second-half rout of Nottingham Forest, winning 3-0, while mid-table Swansea beat nine-man Stoke 3-1.