Championship round-up: Hull miss chance to close on Cardiff

Bolton ended Hull's run of three straight wins with a 4-1 victory at the Reebok Stadium which included two goals from Craig Dawson. The fact that Bolton were 3-0 ahead after 10 minutes effectively put the game beyond Steve Bruce's side, who would have moved within two points of leaders Cardiff with a win. Hull's loss was Watford's gain, as they moved up to second place following a 2-1 win over Derby at Vicarage Road, with Matej Vydra scoring his 20th goal of the season for the Hornets.

Watford also pulled clear of Leicester, who drew 0-0 with Blackpool in Paul Ince's first home game in charge of the Tangerines, and Crystal Palace, who went down 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday, thanks to Leroy Lita's late goal.

Middlesbrough's poor form in 2013 finally caught up with them as they dropped out of the play-off places for the first time since October, following a 2-1 home defeat to Millwall. Tony Mowbray's side have only won once this year, picking up just four points out of 27.

In League One, it was a case of two teams, three guvnors at the County Ground as Swindon and Preston lined up under new management. Joint player-managers Darren Ward and Tommy Miller both played for the Robins, while Simon Grayson took charge of North End for the first time. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, dropping Swindon to second in the table. A Jamie Murphy winner against Bournemouth took Sheffield United top, while third-placed Tranmere trounced struggling Colchester 5-1.

In League Two, Burton Albion continued their good form with a 4-2 win over Exeter, to go third, while Southend moved back into play-off contention after coming from behind to beat Wycombe 2-1.

Inverness went second in the Scottish Premier League with a 3-2 win at Hearts. Gary Warren scored twice to move Caley ahead of Motherwell, who lost 3-0 to Ross County. Bottom club Dundee have made John Brown manager until the end of the season.