AFP/London


Norwich left it late to keep their Championship promotion challenge on track as Gary Hooper stoppage-time strike sealed a vital 2-1 win against Bolton yesterday.
Alex Neil’s team were in danger of slipping out of the automatic promotion places after Bolton striker Adam Le Fondre cancelled out Graham Dorrans’ opener at the Macron Stadium.
But former Celtic forward Hooper came off the bench to score a potentially priceless goal three minutes into additional time.
Hooper’s heroics ensured Norwich remain second, ahead of third placed Watford on goal difference and one point behind leaders Bournemouth, as the battle to reach the Premier League heads into the last four matches of the season.
Dorrans had given the Canaries the lead as his free-kick deflected off Josh Vela in the ninth minute, but Le Fondre equalised in the 18th minute.
That set the stage for Hooper, who lobbed keeper Adam Bogdan to spark wild Norwich celebrations, much to the frustration of his former Celtic manager Neil Lennon, who is now in charge at Bolton.
Watford are hot on Norwich’s heels after a 2-0 victory at second bottom Millwall, which left the hosts in danger of relegation to League One.
Slavisa Jokanovic’s side went ahead through Matej Vydra’s superb 26th minute volley and Adlene Guedioura slotted in the second goal in the 56th minute.
Middlesbrough are also in the automatic promotion hunt after a 2-0 win over struggling Rotherham at the Riverside Stadium.
Second half goals by Lee Tomlin and Patrick Bamford, who also missed a late penalty, proved enough for Aitor Karanka’s men, who are one point behind Norwich and Watford.
Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent pounced in stoppage-time to rescue a 1-1 draw for fifth placed Derby against fellow play-off contenders Brentford.
Christophe Berra’s late header pushed Ipswich back into the play-off places after a 3-2 victory over relegated Blackpool.
Wolves’ play-off hopes suffered a blow as they lost 2-1 at local rivals Birmingham.
Demarai Gray produced a scintillating solo winner after the Blues had bounced back from Benik Afobe’s 30th goal of the season for Wolves.
They equalised through Rob Kiernan before Gray produced the highlight of the game when he raced fully 80 yards before slotting home.
Sean Scannell’s goal was enough to give Huddersfield a 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest, their first success at the City Ground since 2000.
Aron Gunnarsson grabbed the winner as Cardiff’s impressive away form continued with a 2-1 victory at Elland Road, a success achieved despite the complete absence of away supporters following a row over ticket restrictions for the Welsh club.
Elsewhere, Sheffield Wednesday drew 1-1 with Charlton and Reading, who play in an FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal next weekend, settled for a 0-0 draw against Blackburn.