ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP:ENGLAND UNDER-21 star Connor Wickham fired a hat-trick as an error-strewn Doncaster display handed Ipswich a 6-0 away victory last night.

A number of Premier League scouts were reported to be in attendance to watch Wickham, and the 17-year-old did not disappoint, completing his treble from the penalty spot after Rovers defender James O’Connor handled in the final minute.

Sam Hird headed into his own net after 25 minutes and another misjudged aerial clearance from the same player allowed Lee Martin to tee up Colin Healy for his first Ipswich goal. Gareth McAuley marked his 100th league appearance for Town with a goal.

At Bramall Lane, Daniel Bogdanovics 88th-minute penalty rescued a scarcely-deserved point for Sheffield United as the Championship strugglers claimed a 1-1 draw with Reading.

Shane Long looked like he had given the visitors all three points before substitute Bogdanovic was felled by Andy Griffin in the area and he got up to convert the spot-kick.

The Royals dominated for large periods of the game and they will feel aggrieved to have given away a sloppy goal after working so hard to take the lead.

The Republic of Ireland striker scored in his 100th appearance for Reading, after he latched on to McAnuffs through ball before sliding the ball under a helpless Steve Simonsen.

Prestons already slim hopes of championship survival took a blow as they threw away a two-goal lead to draw, 2-2, at Watford.

Captain Sean St Ledger took just 40 seconds to put North End ahead and Leon Clarke doubled the lead before half-time to put manager Phil Brown in position to pick up his first win at the helm.

But Watford substitutes Matt Whichelow and Adam Thompson replied after the break to leave the Lilywhites staring relegation in the face and without a win since December 11th.