Championship round-up: David Nugent penalty sends Leicester City top as Derby's winning run is halted by Huddersfield

Elsewhere there were wins for Middlesbrough Ipswich and Watford

Fernando Forestieri scores for Watford in their 4-0 win over Millwall (GETTY IMAGES)

Leicester had to see off power cuts and Reading on Boxing Day to return to the top of the Championship, a 1-0 win coupled to defeats for previous leaders Burnley and Queen’s Park Rangers sending Nigel Pearson’s side two points clear.

The greatest threat to Leicester claiming three points against Reading came from a series of blackouts in the first half at the King Power Stadium. The game was completed with the help of an emergency generator and at one point home fans switched on their mobile phone lights as they chanted: “We’ll play in the dark.”

David Nugent got Leicester’s winner with his eighth penalty of the season, scoring from the spot in the 21st minute after Anthony Knockaert had been brought down by Shaun Cummings, as Pearson’s team built on Saturday’s impressive win at QPR. “The last two results have been very good for us,” Pearson said.

QPR have now lost three out of their last six games, Harry Redknapp’s side going down 2-0 at Nottingham Forest last night. Greg Halford and Andy Reid got the goals for a workmanlike Forest, who chalked up their first win at the City Ground since September.

Burnley, who started the day in top spot, were deservedly beaten 1-0 by Middlesbrough at the Riverside, Emmanuel Ledesma curling in a 25-yard effort that bounced over the dive of keeper Tom Heaton at the near post after 24 minutes.

Leicester were the only side in the top four to win as Derby’s victorious run was ended by a 1-1 draw at Huddersfield, Martin Paterson’s smart lob with four minutes to go stopping Steve McClaren’s side from recording their eighth straight win. Derby had taken the lead through Craig Bryson in the 30th minute and also had a Chris Martin penalty saved by Alex Smithies in the first half.

Millwall reacted to their 4-0 defeat at Watford by sacking manager Steve Lomas after only six months in the job.

Lomas, a former West Ham captain, had struggled to be accepted by many Millwall fans and was barracked by the Den crowd during Saturday’s defeat to Middlesbrough.