English Championship play-offs: Cardiff and Blackpool edge ahead

THE race to secure the final place in next season's Premier League remains hard to call after the weekend's Championship play-off first legs.

Cardiff City gave themselves an encouraging nudge in the direction of the play-off final at Wembley when Peter Whittingham fired home a superb free kick 15 minutes from time to beat Leicester City 1-0 at the Walkers Stadium.

It was a win Dave Jones' side probably deserved after looking the more likely side until the closing stages when Leicester applied some sustained pressure, but Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall produced a crucial late block to deny substitute Matty Fryatt.

On Saturday, former Rangers player Charlie Adam struck the winner from the penalty spot as Blackpool came from a goal down at home to beat Nottingham Forest 2-1.

Chris Cohen had put Billy Davies' side ahead with less than 15 minutes on the clock, but Blackpool rallied and Keith Southern equalised in 26 minutes.

Adam's 57th-minute spot-kick handed Blackpool the advantage but the match remains finely poised.