19.04.2016 23:38 h

Keane thwarts Boro, Charlton relegated

Centre-back Michael Keane scored a 92nd-minute equaliser as Burnley prevented promotion rivals Middlesbrough going four points clear at the Championship summit in a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.

Burnley's 19-game unbeaten streak looked destined to end after Jordan Rhodes, formerly of their arch rivals Blackburn Rovers, scored from close range in the 70th minute to put Boro ahead at Turf Moor.

But former Manchester United trainee Keane bundled home a stoppage-time leveller to keep the gap between the two clubs at two points and prevent Brighton and Hove Albion climbing above them.

Brighton moved level on points with Burnley in England's second tier after crushing Queens Park Rangers 4-0, while Charlton Athletic were condemned to League One after drawing 0-0 at already-relegated Bolton Wanderers.

After Boro midfielder Grant Leadbitter had set the tone for the encounter at Turf Moor with a crunching early tackle on Burnley hard man Joey Barton, Albert Adomah almost put the visitors in front in the 13th minute with a drive that clipped the crossbar.

At the other end, Barton drilled a half-volley wide before Scott Arfield fired over following a combination between strikers Sam Vokes and Andre Gray.

The breakthrough arrived with 20 minutes remaining as Stewart Downing's free-kick was headed down by Daniel Ayala and Rhodes flicked a shot past goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

But just as he had done in the recent 2-2 draw with Brighton, Keane had the final say, popping up to touch the ball home at a corner and prevent Boro reeling off seven successive wins for the first time since 1987.

The draw was an ideal result for Brighton, who are blocking out the view in Burnley's rear-view mirrors after strolling to victory against QPR.

Anthony Knockaert and Jiri Skalak struck either side of half-time to put Brighton in charge, with a Connor Goldson header and another Knockaert effort completing a fifth win in six games for the south-coast club.

At the other end of the table, Charlton's goalless draw at Bolton confirmed that they will join Wanderers in League One next season.

Meanwhile, Hull City and Derby County both guaranteed themselves at least a play-off spot with wins on the road.

Goals from Abel Hernandez and Andrew Robertson saw Hull come from behind to win 2-1 at Reading, while Derby won 3-2 at Bristol City courtesy of a 57th-minute strike by Thomas Ince.