Cureton double gives Reading first win

Jamie Cureton struck twice in the second half as Reading came from behind to claim their first win of the new First Division season last night.

The newly-promoted Royals had fallen behind to a Gerald Sibon strike for Sheffield Wednesday in the 18th minute at the Madejski Stadium, but hit back after the break.

Cureton netted his first within two minutes of the restart before following up with the winner 12 minutes from time to give Reading a 2-1 win. The Owls' misery was compounded when Alan Quinn was sent off for a second bookable offence in the final minute.

David Nielsen grabbed an equaliser three minutes from time as Norwich City claimed an undeserved 1-1 draw with Rotherham United at Millmoor.

The Millers had looked on course to follow up Saturday's 6-0 thrashing of Millwall with another win when Alan Lee finished off the good work of Darren Byfield to give them a 68th-minute lead. The Canaries created few chances, but the Danish forward Nielsen was their saviour as they maintain their unbeaten start to the new campaign.

Sheffield United and Portsmouth both wasted a host of chances as they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane. Peter Ndlovu's low drive gave the Blades an early lead, but Deon Burton levelled after 25 minutes.

Tony Popovic struck for a relieved Crystal Palace 11 minutes from time after Bradford City almost snatched an undeserved win at Selhurst Park. The Eagles dominated the game throughout but were unable to make their superiority count and were made to pay when Andy Tod gave the Bantams a lead after 76 minutes. But Popovic's well-merited equaliser meant that 1-1 was the final scoreline.

Grimsby and Wimbledon are both looking for their first wins of the season after their scoreless encounter in front of a crowd of 4,625 at Blundell Park. It was reported that just 15 were Wimbledon fans.

Hard-up Swindon Town may be short of cash but they are doing well enough on the pitch. The Wiltshire side are the early leaders in the Second Division, after two goals from Danny Invincibile helped them to a 4-2 win at Chesterfield.

In the Third, Hartlepool top the table after two goals from the former Sheffield Wednesday striker Gordon Watson at the Victoria Ground condemned Boston United to a 2-0 defeat.