League round-up: Leeds in a flap over Swans wings as Sinclair pair lifts Welsh hopes

Scott Sinclair scored twice as Swansea City ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over Leeds United at the Liberty Stadium, consolidating their grip on the Championship's second automatic promotion place. Swans took the lead after 13 minutes, Sinclair cutting in from the left to play a one-two with Luke Moore and fire in. As Leeds got a foothold near half-time Swans defender Alan Tate handled, but no penalty was given. The visitors' revival did not last long after the break. Ten minutes into the second period a foul on Nathan Dyer saw Sinclair tuck away the penalty and in the 72nd minute Moore made it 3-0.

"A wonderful performance," Swans manager Brendan Rogers said, "The first goal was terrific, Nathan Dyer produced a brilliant piece of skill for the second goal and the third one was a wonderful team goal." Leeds stay sixth.

Elsewhere in the top six there were winning trips for Cardiff City and Norwich City but Nottingham Forest were held 0-0 at Millwall and slip to fifth. Goals in the last half-hour for Michael Chopra, a header, and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas saw the Bluebirds win 2-0 at Hull City to stay a point behind the Swans, while Andrew Crofts found the Yorkshire air in Barnsley to his taste, scoring both goals as the Canaries won 2-0 at Oakwell. Leicester City drew 1-1 with 10-man Coventry City, Martin Crainie a late sending off.

The three teams in the relegation places lost. Burnley came from behind to beat Preston North End 2-1 in the Lancashire derby at Deepdale. Bottom, Preston are 11 points from safety. Just above them, Sheffield United still await a first win under Micky Adams after Theo Robinson's goal earned Derby County a 1-0 win at Bramall Lane, and Scunthorpe lost 2-0 at Bristol City. All of which made the point Crystal Palace earned from the 3-3 home draw with Reading, a match in which they had led 2-0 and 3-2, invaluable.

Portsmouth won 2-0 at Ipswich, their fourth consecutive win, and Watford drew 1-1 at Doncaster Rovers.

League One

Leaders Brighton lost 1-0 at MK Dons which allowed second-placed Bournemouth close the gap to a point thanks to a 2-1 win at Dagenham & Redbridge. Huddersfield Town, third, led Leyton Orient 2-0. Harry Kane made it 2-1, was sent off, but Jimmy Smith levelled. It stayed 2-2. This month the O's have drawn with the top three clubs. Next up, an FA Cup replay at Arsenal on Wednesday.

League Two

The in-transit fracas between Port Vale manager Jim Gannon and his assistant Geoff Horsfield, which resulted in the latter's absence from the game at Aldershot, did not seem to affect the Vale players, who won 2-1.

Bradford City's final game under Peter Taylor ended in a rare win, but it took two red cards, flourished at Stockport County's Adam Griffin and Ryan Doble, to help the Bantams come from behind and win 3-2. Leaders Chesterfield lost 2-0 at home to Morecambe. It was their first defeat at the new B2net Stadium.