League round-up: Quickfire Taarabt takes Rangers 10 points clear

(pa)

Queens Park Rangers extended their lead at the top to 10 points with a 1-0 victory at Barnsley thanks to Adel Taarabt's quickfire winner after just 47 seconds at Oakwell. Neil Warnock's side, fresh from a shock 4-1 defeat at Scunthorpe, are now within five points of promotion to the Premier League.

Cardiff leapfrogged Norwich into the second automatic promotion spot with a 2-0 win at bottom club Sheffield United. Craig Bellamy struck after 20 minutes with his ninth goal of the season, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas adding a late second. Neighbours Swansea were held 1-1 at home by a Hull side preserving slender play-off hopes. A fine goal from midfielder Mark Gower gave Swansea the lead after the hour only for Corry Evans, on loan from Manchester United, to equalise seven minutes later to stretch Hull's unbeaten away record to 16 matches.

At Portman Road, Ipswich salvaged a 3-3 draw with Middlesbrough. The visitors went 3-1 up after the break, Andrew Taylor adding to first-half efforts from Andy Halliday and Scott McDonald, before Connor Wickham and a second from Grant Leadbitter ensured the spoils were shared.

A first win in 10 matches rekindled Nottingham Forest's play-off hopes, David McGoldrick scoring twice in a 2-0 win over Burnley, while Derby also returned to form with a fine 2-1 victory over Leeds at Pride Park.

Brighton secured promotion to the Championship with a 4-3 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge. Gus Poyet's side twice came from behind to ensure that they begin life at their new Falmer Stadium next season in the second tier of English football.