CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-UP: Derby close in on playoff places as Frank Lampard’s side overcome Hull

Derby have maintained their Championship promotion push after they overcame Hull at Pride Park.

A brace from Martyn Waghorn saw off the Tigers which sees Frank Lampard’s Rams go level on points with Bristol City, who sit in sixth.

The game of the day, however, happened at Loftus Road as Che Adams scored a 21-minute first-half hat-trick to push Birmingham within two points of the top six as the Blues edged a seven-goal thriller 4-3 against QPR.

A brace from Martyn Waghorn (left) saw Derby overcome Hull at Pride Park on Saturday

Che Adams netted a 21-minute first-half hat-trick to see Birmingham close in on playoff spots

The Blues saw off Queens Park Rangers in a seven-goal thriller at Loftus Road

Adams, who has now scored in six successive league matches to take his tally to 19 for the season, scored in the 21st, 26th and 42nd minutes with centre-back Harlee Dean adding a 36th-minute header to give Garry Monk’s side a 4-0 lead.

But Matt Smith pulled two goals back within a few minutes either side of half-time, before Jordan Cousins added a third. 

Rangers could have salvaged a point, but Lee Camp saved a Nakhi Wells penalty late on to leave Steve McClaren’s side without a league win since Boxing Day.

Rangers could have salvaged a point, but Lee Camp saved a Nakhi Wells penalty late on

Wells looks dejected as he misses a penalty in stoppage time which would’ve made it 4-4

Bristol City made it eight straight wins in all competitions – and six in the league – with defender Eros Pisano scoring the only goal of the game against Blackburn at Ewood Park. 

Nottingham Forest enjoyed a 2-1 success to remain in the play-off hunt, five points adrift of the top six, and end Brentford’s 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Lewis Grabban made it 16 for the season – albeit with his first since the start of December – with a crisp finish from six yards, and he should have added a second in the second half, only for Daniel Bentley to deny him from the spot after the striker had been brought down.

Bristol City defender Eros Pisano celebrates scoring the only goal against Blackburn

Instead, it was left to new defensive signing Molla Wague on his debut – on loan from Serie A side Udinese – to clinch the points in the 79th minute, with Sergi Canos scoring a late consolation.

Bolton’s relegation fears increased following a 2-1 defeat at home to Preston – their fifth loss in six league games – with Alan Browne firing the opener through the legs of David Wheater in the 40th minute, followed by Tom Barkhuizen’s 82nd-minute strike. Clayton Donaldson scored a late consolation.

Following a Swansea fans’ protest before kick-off against the running of the club by American duo Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien – with Huw Jenkins resigning as chairman a week ago – they at least restored a degree of pride on the pitch with a much-needed 1-0 win over Millwall thanks to George Byers’ first senior goal.

Relegation-threatened Rotherham were held to their 12th draw of the season, 1-1 at home to Wigan.

After Wigan captain Danny Fox was stretchered off following a clash of heads in the first half, Clark Robertson soon headed home a Will Vaulks cross but the Millers’ lead was short-lived as Josh Windass scored his third goal in his last three games.

New Sheffield Wednesday manager Steve Bruce’s first home game in charge ended in a dour goalless draw with Reading.