Championship round-up: Watford bear Brunt of late Baggies equaliser

(pa)

Chris Brunt's dramatic 95th-minute equaliser for West Bromwich Albion cancelled out Danny Graham's stunning late strike to ensure that the promotion-chasing visitors and relegation-threatened Watford shared the spoils yesterday at Vicarage Road.

A scrappy encounter looked to be heading towards stalemate until Graham produced a superb 25-yard effort but Brunt popped up to spoil the party and head home from close range. Malky Mackay's side, who had seen Jon Harley sent off for a second bookable offence minutes prior to their opener, are now out of the bottom three on goal difference. Mackay will also be seriously concerned by what appeared to be a season-ending leg injury for Manchester United's on-loan youngster Tom Cleverley.

Peterborough's relegation from the Championship was confirmed in Jim Gannon's last game in charge, after Barnsley scored a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Oakwell.

Peterborough look likely to be joined by Plymouth in the third tier after Stephen McManus scored his first goal for Middlesbrough in the away side's 2-0 triumph at Home Park.

The Pilgrims did not play like a side deep in relegation trouble as they enjoyed some decent spells, but Alan Judge spurned their best chance of a leveller when his penalty was saved by Brad Jones. Jonathan Franks' late strike made the result safe for the Teessiders.

Bristol City dealt Sheffield Wednesday's survival hopes a bitter blow with a smash-and-grab victory at Hillsborough. The Robins were up against it for much of the second half as Wednesday dominated, but they snatched all three points after a fine solo goal from Nicky Maynard with 10 minutes remaining.

Defeat will be difficult to take for Alan Irvine's men as they wasted a succession of second-half chances, with the City keeper Stephen Henderson in inspired form. The 21-year-old made two fine saves to deny Luke Varney, while Leon Clarke, Marcus Tudgay and Darren Purse were all guilty of missing the target.

Ipswich all but ensured their status with their second win of the Easter weekend. Gareth McAuley's strike put Roy Keane's side ahead in the fourth minute before Carlos Edwards added a second with nine minutes to go.

Rob Hulse pulled one back to give Derby hope, but Stephen Pearson's late dismissal ended the match as a contest before Connor Wickham wrapped things up.