Crane lifts Turner's Wednesday gloom

The Sheffield Wednesday manager Chris Turner was a relieved man on Tuesday after his struggling First Division side battled back to claim a 1-1 draw against Bradford City at Valley Parade.

Andy Gray put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot with his 13th goal of the campaign before Tony Crane levelled with nine minutes remaining, after Bradford's Jamie Lawrence had been dismissed.

The Owls are still in deep relegation trouble at the foot of the table but Turner said: "The team have played well away and at home for much of the season but haven't been able to score. That's the trait of a team down at the bottom, the good sides do not have a problem with scoring goals."

Leicester City took another step towards an instant return to the Premiership with a 2-1 win at Burnley to open up a 12-point gap on third-placed Sheffield United.

Burnley had put up stubborn resistance at Turf Moor but Paul Dickov headed home from close range after 79 minutes and Trevor Benjamin's strike four minutes later effectively sealed the win.

Burnley pulled a goal back through a Frank Sinclair own goal in injury time but it was too little too late for the hosts.

The victory puts Leicester within two points of the leaders Portsmouth but their cushion over Sheffield United – who have two games in hand on the Foxes – remains 12 points after the Blades beat struggling Brighton 2-1 at Bramall Lane.

Dean Windass opened the scoring after five minutes but the Seagulls responded and levelled through Richard Carpenter nine minutes later. The home side prevailed, though, thanks to a fine strike from Michael Brown as Brighton fell into the relegation zone.

Ipswich Town edged closer to the play-off zone with a 3-1 home win over 10-man Reading, who slipped to fourth place in the table.

Matt Holland and Jim Magilton scored crucial goals for Joe Royle's side after Nicky Forster had cancelled out Thomas Gaardsoe's opener for the home side. Adie Viveash was sent off for Reading midway through the second period.

Norwich City remain in the play-off hunt after a 2-0 win at Millwall, Malky Mackay and Zema Abbey getting the goals. But Crystal Palace's promotion hopes look over after a 1-0 home defeat to Wimbledon.

Grimbsy Town grabbed a priceless victory in their fight to stay in the First Division as John Oster scored in injury-time to clinch a 1-0 win at Rotherham United and lift the Mariners out of the relegation zone. Their fellow strugglers Stoke City claimed a useful point courtesy of a goalless draw at Wolves while Preston North End enjoyed an emphatic 5-0 Deepdale victory over Walsall.