English Championship round-up: Jimmy Dunne scores own goal as QPR lose at home to Preston

Nottingham Forest maintained their Championship promotion charge as a 2-0 home win against Birmingham lifted them up to third in the table.

On-loan Aston Villa forward Keinan Davis gave Forest a flying start and Scott McKenna headed a game-clinching second with 11 minutes left.

Forest comfortably saw out 12 minutes of added-time following an injury to Birmingham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge following a second-half collision with Forest defender Djed Spence.

Steve Cooper's side secured their fifth straight league win – extending their unbeaten run in the Championship to 10 matches – and closed the gap on second-placed Bournemouth to six points.

Bournemouth’s bid for automatic promotion met with more frustration as they were held 0-0 at play-off hopefuls Sheffield United.

The Cherries, beaten 2-0 at West Brom in midweek, were grateful for a point at Bramall Lane as the Blades had a late penalty appeal turned down and went close through Filip Uremovic with practically the last kick of the game.

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 for Hull 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 interval cancelled out Sam Gallagher’s early opener for Blackburn.

QPR’s miserable run continued as they slipped to a fifth straight defeat, beaten 2-1 at Preston.

Hoops and Ireland defender Jimmy Dunne’s first-half own-goal edged Preston ahead and they doubled their lead through