IPSWICH’S IRELAND STRIKER Daryl Murphy looks almost certain to finish as the Championship’s top scorer after hitting his 25th goal of the season against Nottingham Forest yesterday.

The former Waterford United striker currently has four more goals than the next highest scorer — Watford’s Troy Deeney.

Murphy featured along with fellow Ireland international Stephen Hunt in Ipswich’s 2-1 win.

There was less positive news for James McClean, however. The winger was sent off late on amid Wigan’s 1-0 loss to Wolves, with Kevin Doyle appearing as a sub for the latter, as the Latics edged closer to relegation.

Jeff Hendrick scored a late equaliser, while Richard Keogh played the full 90 minutes, as Derby drew 3-3 with relegation-threatened Millwall, who had David Forde in goal, Alan Dunne at full-back and former Ireland u21 international Aiden O’Brien in attack.

It was a good day too for Tommie Hoban. Despite being an unused sub, the Ireland U21 international saw his side beat Brighton 2-0 and gain promotion in the process.

Wes Hoolahan was taken off after 33 minutes, as Norwich endured a disappointed 1-1 draw with Rotherham.

In addition, Alan Judge and Jonathan Douglas both featured, with the former scoring the opener, as Brentford won 2-0 against Reading, for whom Alex Pearce played the full 90 minutes and Simon Cox made a second-half substitute appearance.

21-year-old Dubliner Darragh Lenihan started in Blackburn’s 2-2 draw with Huddersfield, while Sean Scannell featured for the latter.

Sean Kavanagh played the full 90 minutes as Fulham put a dent in Middlesbrough’s promotion hopes with an enthralling 4-3 victory at Craven Cottage, while ex-Ireland U18 international Patrick Bamford was unable to score for the visitors.

In Cardiff’s 3-2 win against Blackpool, Eoin Doyle scored a brace, while Joe Mason was on the scoresheet too, with Darren O’Dea and Anthony Pilkington both making appearances from the bench.

Meanwhile, Irish goalkeepers Darron Randolph and Stephen Henderson both featured, as Birmingham beat Charlton 1-0 at St Andrew’s.

And finally, recently named Championship goalkeeper of the year Keiren Westwood was unable to prevent Sheffield Wednesday losing 2-1 at home to Leeds.

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