Championship wrap: Cannon hits brace as Preston sink QPR

Tom Cannon struck a brace in Preston's 2-0 victory over QPR to boost the Deepdale side's promotion hopes.

The Ireland U21 international - on loan from Everton - nodded home compatriot Robbie Brady's cross to put the visitors in front just before the hour mark.

He would double the lead four minutes later, capitalising on a defensive error to advance and slot past Seny Dieng.

Huddersfield kept their chances of survival alive with a huge 3-2 victory against Watford to move out of the Sky Bet Championship relegation zone. Yaser Asprilla gave Watford the lead but Jack Rudoni equalised just before the break and the Terriers then took the lead through Matty Pearson. Kian Harratt added a third for the visitors, but they were forced to hang on after Britt Assombalonga struck in stoppage-time. The Hornets were then reduced to 10 in the dying minutes when goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann collected a second yellow card for a wild lunge while forward for a set-piece. The fight for survival also saw Cardiff secure an important three points with a 3-1 win against Blackpool. A destructive first half saw the Bluebirds put three past the hosts with Connor Wickham, Sory Kaba and Joe Ralls all getting on the scoresheet. The Tangerines earned a consolation through Josh Bowler, but Cardiff now move into 19th while Blackpool remain second from bottom. After being handed a six-point deduction earlier in the week, Reading dropped into the relegation zone following a 1-1 draw with Birmingham after Lukas Jutkiewicz cancelled out Andy Carroll's opener. Jordan Hugill's double also eased Rotherham's relegation troubles with a 3-1 win against West Brom. Hugill had given away a penalty in the first half that saw John Swift fire the Baggies in front, but the