Foxes on verge of clinching second tier title

Leicester City moved within touching distance of securing the Championship title after David Nugent fired the leaders to a 1-0 win over 10-man QPR on Saturday. Nigel Pearson's already-promoted side restored their seven-point lead over second-placed Burnley and now need just three more points from their last three games to go into the Premier League as champions of the second tier. Nugent scored with a superb finish from a narrow angle in the 67th minute, and 11 minutes later the visitors -- still waiting to guarantee their play-off place -- had left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto sent off for a second bookable offence. "We are in a good position but I have not changed my philosophy. We have three games left and we want to win them all," Pearson said. "The players showed a lot of focus and a real understanding of playing different systems. We have shown an adaptability that, moving forward is going to be important for us. "We won't be able to dominate the Premier League like we have the Championship but we want to be competitive next season." Nottingham Forest are back in play-off contention as they ended their dismal run of 12 league games without a win with a 1-0 victory over Birmingham at the City Ground. Matt Derbyshire struck the only goal of the game in the second minute to move Forest within three points of sixth-placed Brighton, who they will face on the final day of the season. "I said weeks ago that it might not take a massive number of points to get you into sixth place, and it is proving to be the case," Forest caretaker boss Gary Brazil said. "If we can get a win at Leeds the last two games are going to be very interesting." Ipswich squandered a chance to climb into the top six as their run in a 3-1 defeat at Watford. Former Liverpool winger Albert Rieira struck for the home side after 21 minutes and although Anthony Wordsworth equalised five minutes after the break it was Watford who always looked more likely to take the points. Gabriele Angella headed home a free-kick in the 63rd minute to put the home side back in front and Lewis McGugan sealed the points two minutes later. Stefan Maierhofer scored twice as Millwall hauled themselves out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win at Middlesbrough. The Austrian striker gave the visitors a dream start when he turned in Lee Martin's 16th minute cross for his first ever Millwall goal. And Maierhofer produced a near-carbon copy from another Martin cross on the half-hour to double Millwall's lead, before Emmanuel Ledesma's effort 10 minutes from time led to some anxious late moments for Ian Holloway's side. Millwall, unbeaten in five matches, climbed above Charlton and Blackpool, who were beaten by Burnley on Friday. There was gloom for fellow strugglers Barnsley, who remain rooted in the bottom three after a 1-0 home defeat to Yorkshire rivals Leeds. Ross McCormack's 29th goal of the season in the 16th minute proved enough to earn a second straight win for Brian McDermott's men and leave the Tykes three points off safety.