10.04.2018 23:49 h

'I'm out of here': McCarthy quits Ipswich, Fulham eye promotion

Mick McCarthy quit as Ipswich boss following their 1-0 victory against Barnsley, while Fulham boosted their bid for promotion to the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Reading on Tuesday.

McCarthy has resigned four games earlier than expected after a stormy evening at Portman Road.

The 59-year-old had been due to leave the Championship outfit at the end of the season.

But instead McCarthy announced he was quitting immediately after Jonas Knudsen's 54th-minute goal against his former club left Ipswich 12th in the table.

McCarthy was furious that fans booed when young defender Barry Cotter was substituted in the second half and that appeared to prove the final straw.

"It was a disgraceful reaction, but it's the last time I'll have to hear it because that's my last game. I'm out of here," McCarthy said at a short and terse press conference.

"It was in the best interests for me, the players and the club that I move on now.

"I said I would see the season out but it's been a new experience and it's not one I have been enjoying to be honest.

"I have continued to do my job to the best of my ability but there is something missing and I'm not comfortable with that."

Norwegian midfielder Stefan Johansen's 25th-minute strike at Craven Cottage lifted Fulham into the Championship's top two.

Fulham's latest success in their 20-match unbeaten run was added by the dismissal of Reading's Leandro Bacuna in stoppage time.

The Cottagers are one point ahead of Cardiff, who lost their grip on the second automatic promotion berth after slumping 1-0 at fourth-placed Aston Villa.

Watched by Prince William, a self-confessed Villa fan, Steve Bruce's side took the points thanks to a stunning 25-yard volley by Jack Grealish five minutes from full-time.

Villa are five points behind Fulham with four games remaining.

Millwall made it 16 games unbeaten to move into the play-off places with a 2-0 win at Bolton.

Ben Marshall set up the first half opener for Tom Elliott and then slammed in the second to finish a blistering break after the interval.

Middlesbrough dropped out of the top six after they were beaten 2-1 at Sheffield United.

Lee Evans grabbed both Blades goals before Daniel Ayala pulled one back for Boro, who played for 65 minutes with 10 men after Grant Leadbitter was sent off.

Bristol City kept their top-six hopes alive with a 3-1 win over struggling Birmingham.

Henrik Dalsgaard's goal nine minutes from time gave Brentford a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, while Preston beat Leeds 3-1.

Hull banished their relegation fears and pushed Burton closer to the drop with a 5-0 win at the league's bottom club.

Ivo Pinto's late equaliser secured a 1-1 draw for Norwich at second-bottom Sunderland.

Aiden McGeady missed a penalty for Sunderland but the Black Cats led through George Honeyman.

QPR scored three in the opening 15 minutes through Paul Smyth, Jake Bidwell and Idrissa Sylla on their way to a 4-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

Leaders Wolves face play-off chasers Derby on Wednesday.