Footbal news: Ten-man QPR back on top

QPR survived the sending off of Bradley Orr to end a run of four straight draws and move back to the top of the npower Championship with a 3-1 win over Reading.

Adel Taarabt put Rangers ahead from the penalty spot but Orr was shown a straight red card a minute before half-time.

Alejandro Faurlin doubled the home side's lead, Shane Long pulled a goal back, but Tommy Smith had the final say.

Rangers moved a point ahead of Cardiff, who play third-placed Swansea tomorrow.

Tony Mowbray secured his first win as Middlesbrough manager as Crystal Palace pressed the self-destruct button at the Riverside.

In the battle of the bottom two, Palace led until the 75th minute through Pablo Counago. But Boro substitute Tarmo Kink and a Patrick McCarthy own goal handed the home side a 2-1 victory and ended their seven-match winless run.

Ipswich moved into the play-off zone with a 2-1 win at Sheffield United.

Tamas Priskin put the visitors ahead and although Stephen Quinn levelled, Gareth McAuley wrapped up the points for Roy Keane's men.

Preston blew the chance to put daylight between themselves and the drop zone after drawing 1-1 at third-bottom Bristol City.

Iain Hume had given North End a second-minute lead but Billy Jones put through his own net 19 minutes from time.

Coventry missed an opportunity to go third as Leeds won 3-2 at the Ricoh Arena.

Jonathan Howson and Robert Snodgrass put United 2-0 up before half-time.

Lukas Jutkiewicz pulled one back but Max Gradel's penalty gave Leeds breathing space before Ben Turner set up an anxious finish.

Norwich also had a chance to go third but will be pleased with a point after coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Burnley thanks to Andrew Crofts' stoppage-time equaliser.

However, Crofts' afternoon ended on a sour note after he was sent off moments after scoring.

Martin Paterson's double saw the Clarets lead 2-0 until the 71st minute, when Russell Martin pulled a goal back.

Hull remain in danger towards the bottom of the table after Michael O'Connor scored a minute from time to give Scunthorpe a 1-0 win at the KC Stadium.

But Leicester eased their own relegation fears with a 2-0 success at Barnsley, Angelo Miguel Vitor and Andy King with the goals.

Doncaster came from behind to beat Millwall 2-1, James Hayter and David Healy netting in two second-half minutes to cancel out Steve Morison's opener.

Watford and Nottingham Forest played out a 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road, Lewis McGugan levelling after Jordon Mutch had given the home side a third-minute lead..