Sky Bet Championship: Sone Aluko Bags Assist in Reading's Win As  Mikel Obi's Absence Continues To Affect Stoke 

  Sky Bet Championship: Sone Aluko Bags Assist in Reading's Win As  Mikel Obi's Absence Continues To Affect Stoke By Omolagba Oluwayemi Reading moved back into the Championship play-off places after two first-half goals were enough to beat Luton Town at Madejski Stadium, BSNsports.com.ng reports. Tom McIntyre's impressive sweeping left-footed volley from Sone Aluko's outswinging corner gave the Royals an early lead. Alfa Semedo made it 2-0 late in the half with his first Reading goal, calmly slotting home after a nice one-two with George Baldock on the edge of the Luton area. The Royals ended a four-game run without an away goal in the final minute when substitute Kazenga LuaLua's powerful low long-range effort beat Rafael Cabral, although the Royals goalkeeper could perhaps have done better to keep it out. Reading move up to fifth place, and will remain in the play-off positions regardless of how sixth-placed Watford fare in the late game with leaders Norwich, while the Hatters slip a place to 15th. Ismaila Sarr got new Watford head coach Xisco Munoz off to the perfect start with a winning goal that ended Championship leaders Norwich City's five-game winning run. Spaniard Munoz, who was appointed last Sunday after Vladimir Ivic's sacking, was in the Hornets dugout for the first time and watched on as his team produced one of their best displays of the season so far. Sarr scored the game's only goal six minutes before the break, converting Ken Sema's low cross at the far post. Brentford continued their superb recent form to make it 15 games unbeaten in all competitions, as Sergi Canos' hat-trick saw them come from behind to win. Will Vaulks put Cardiff in front with a stunning lob from inside his own half. The Bees drew level when Canos produced a wonder strike of his own with a dipping volley from 25 yards. Canos put Brentford ahead with a fine run and composed finish before his lob squirmed through Alex Smithies, though Vaulks' second gave Cardiff late hope. The win sees Brentford remain fourth in the Championship, while Cardiff slip to 12th. Swansea City climbed into the Championship's automatic promotion places, as goals from Andre Ayew and Jamal Lowe gave them a 2-0 victory at struggling Queens Park Rangers. Leading scorer Ayew headed into an empty net to put Steve Cooper's team ahead at the end of a first half in which Rangers had been the better side. Lowe then raced clear early in the second period to score for the fourth time in as many games and put the visitors firmly in control. Swansea's third win in four matches means they leapfrog Bournemouth and move into second in the table, four points behind leaders Norwich City. Famara Diedhiou scored a late winner to end Bristol City's three-match losing run in the Championship with victory over bottom side Wycombe Wanderers. The Senegal forward, on as a second-half substitute, lashed a vicious strike into the top corner from just inside the box to deny the Chairboys what would have been a deserved point. Chris Martin had put the hosts in front midway through the first half, heading Callum O'Dowda's hanging cross in at the far post to score just his second Championship goal of the season. City striker Nahki Wells dragged another good chance wide right at the start of the second period, but after that it was the visitors who had by far the better of the game. Gareth Ainsworth's side penned the home side in for long periods, their direct play into Adebayo Akinfenwa causing Bristol City numerous problems. Garath McCleary eventually scored the equaliser their pressure merited, although it was fortunate in nature after taking a huge deflection off Adrian Mariappa to wrong-foot goalkeeper Daniel Bentley. But Diedhiou's powerful drive with three minutes remaining gave the Robins a 10th win of the campaign. Michal Helik scored twice, including a 94th-minute winner, as Barnsley beat Huddersfield for their fourth Championship victory in five games. Polish centre-back Helik pounced deep into stoppage time after a long throw was flicked into his path. Rarmani Edmonds-Green had put Huddersfield in front with his first goal for the club, turning in Carel Eiting's cross. But Helik equalised with a header that hit the bar before crossing the line, and also had the last word to seal the points. Alan Browne scored a stunning 96th-minute winner as Preston North End finally broke 10-man Derby County's resolve at Pride Park. An inspired display by Rams goalkeeper David Marshall looked to have earned the hosts a gutsy point after the 20th-minute dismissal of Martyn Waghorn for an ugly studs-up challenge on Browne. But Browne cut inside on the right and curled home a delightful effort past the Scotland keeper and into the far corner to reward a dominant North End. Joe Rothwell's fine late goal secured a point for Blackburn Rovers and denied Sheffield Wednesday what would have been another morale-boosting win. Adam Reach's superb strike just before half time put the Owls on course for their first back-to-back Championship victories in a year. But Rothwell levelled 14 minutes from time when his mazy run took him into the box and he finished coolly. Adam Armstrong went close late on for Blackburn but visiting keeper Keiren Westwood touched it wide. Struggling Nottingham Forest extended their unbeaten run to three games as Birmingham City boss Aitor Karanka steered his side to a draw on a forgettable return to the City Ground. Forest had the better of the first half, with Ryan Yates going closest with a fierce strike that drew a fine reaction save from goalkeeper Neil Etheridge. Blues improved after the interval, playing with greater urgency and could have taken all the points when Ivan Sanchez curled an effort narrowly wide. But neither side were able to create many clear chances as Birmingham, who were thrashed 4-1 by Middlesbrough last time out, ensured they ended a three-game losing run to stay five points clear of their opponents. Coventry City suffered their third straight 0-0 home draw at St Andrew's as they took a point off promotion-chasing Stoke City. In a game of few on-target efforts, it was a third successive away goalless draw for Michael O'Neill's Potters.