Championship roundup: Nottingham Forest third after win over Birmingham

Nottingham Forest secured a fifth consecutive Championship victory with a 2-0 win over Birmingham, putting Fulham’s promotion party on hold.

An early goal from on-loan Aston Villa forward Keinan Davis and a powerful second-half header from Scott McKenna put Steve Cooper’s side in front, and Forest comfortably saw out 12 minutes of added-time following an injury to Birmingham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge following a collision with Forest defender Djed Spence.

The result extended Forest’s unbeaten league run to 10 matches, and denied Fulham the chance to confirm their promotion against Coventry on Sunday.

Sheffield United and Bournemouth both dropped points in their race for promotion in an edgy 0-0 draw at Bramall Lane. United were denied what they felt was a clear penalty late on when referee Dean Whitestone waved away appeals after Morgan Gibbs-White was felled in the box. Moments later, with practically the last kick of the game, Filip Uremovic sent a half-volley wide of the goal.

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom said he had spoken to the referee about the penalty decision after the game, “but I don’t know why I bothered. You go in to see them wanting to knock their heads off and then come out having behaved yourself and just feel even more frustrated.”

Middlesbrough’s play-off hopes were hit by back-to-back home defeats as they lost 1-0 to Hull at The Riverside. Keane Lewis-Potter struck the game’s only goal with 15 minutes remaining and Boro, who lost by the same score at home to Fulham in midweek, are three points off the top six.

Blackburn also missed the chance to climb into the play-off places after being held 1-1 by Blackpool at Ewood Park. Blackpool defender Marvin Ekpiteta’s effort soon after the