Championship round-up: Gradel caps five-star performance

Max Gradel received lavish praise from his Leeds manager, Simon Grayson, after the 23-year-old striker scored twice during the promotion hopefuls' 5-2 win over Doncaster.

"[Gradel] just epitomises what this team is about," said Grayson. "The way he chases down defenders and works rubs off on his team-mates. He is a breath of fresh air. He's reaping the rewards for his endeavour and enthusiasm and he's a great lad to work with."

Jonny Howson also scored twice and team-mate Luciano Becchio found the net, with Doncaster's efforts coming from Franck Moussa and Billy Sharp, as Leeds solidified their claim to sixth place.

A half-time rollicking gave Ipswich the drive to defeat Cardiff 2-0, manager Paul Jewell revealed. "I lost my temper with my players at half-time but it seemed to work as we were much stronger than Cardiff in the second half," said the manager, whose midfielder Jimmy Bullard struck twice after the interval to defeat the Bluebirds.

Despite Nottingham Forest's 36-game unbeaten home run being brought to an end by their 1-0 loss to Hull, their manager Billy Davies remained upbeat. "I'm very proud of the home record. We were never going to go on forever with this run. It had to come to an end sometime," Davies said, after Matty Fryatt scored the only goal of the game for Hull.

The Middlesbrough manager, Tony Mowbray, condemned his team after they were brushed aside 5-2 by Reading. "I have been in charge for 19 or 20 games but it's the first time we have found a performance like that," Mowbray said. "This was the first time we have been outfought and outplayed." Ian Harte and Shane Long both found the net twice for triumphant Reading.

Mowbray also saw his his goalkeeper Jason Steele sustain a side injury during the game. "Steele will need a scan," Mowbray said.