Football: Hignett puts Middlesbrough on top

MIDDLESBROUGH, who lost the First Division leadership to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday, went back to the top last night thanks to a 2-1 victory at home to West Bromwich Albion. Bryan Robson's team secured the points in the last minute, when Craig Hignett converted a hotly disputed penalty after Craig Herbert's challenge on Paul Wilkinson.

Robson, Middlesbrough's player-manager, was substituted after only 13 minutes with a leg injury. Lee Ashcroft put Albion ahead after 35 minutes with a shot from 25 yards, but Robbie Mustoe, who had come on for Robson, equalised three minutes before the break.

Portsmouth needed an 89th-minute goal to draw 1-1 at home to Tranmere. They equalised when Eric Nixon, the Tranmere goalkeeper, allowed a speculative 35-yard shot by Paul Hall to slip through his hands.

Stoke went 3-0 up at home to Charlton inside 57 minutes, but late goals by Gary Nelson and Ken Grant put the London side back in contention. Steve Brown missed a chance to force a draw when he shot over the bar in the dying seconds.

Reading had Dariusz Wdowczyk sent off 20 minutes before the end at Swindon, who won with the only goal of the game by Keith Scott nine minutes from time.

A 79th minute goal by Liam Robinson gave Burnley a 3-2 victory away to Millwall. All the goals came in the second half.