25.11.2020 23:25 h

Rooney's Derby remain rooted to bottom of Championship

Derby remain rooted to the bottom of the Championship as joint interim manager Wayne Rooney saw his side beaten 3-0 at Middlesbrough.

The Rams are on the search for a new permanent boss following the departure of Phillip Cocu and former Manchester United and England captain Rooney has done little to aid his chances of the job as a player-manager with back-to-back defeats in temporary charge.

Britt Assombalonga put the Teessiders into the lead with a close-range effort after 33 minutes.

Matthew Clarke diverted a cross into his own net on 71 minutes before Marvin Johnson curled in a late third for the home side, who move to seventh, two points off the top six.

A fourth straight loss for Derby, meanwhile, leaves them now six points from safety.

Former leaders Reading ended their four-match losing run with a 1-1 draw at Millwall.

Jed Wallace broke the deadlock with a fine free-kick into the top corner during first-half stoppage time.

Lucas Joao equalised with a low finish after 53 minutes which proved enough to secure a welcome point for the Royals, who are sixth.

Bristol City and Watford missed the chance to close on their promotion rivals after playing out a goalless draw at Ashton Gate.

Coventry pulled clear of the bottom three after a 1-0 win over Cardiff.

Sheffield Wednesday moved to within five points of safety despite a six-point deduction due to a breach of financial fair play regulations with a 1-1 draw away to Swansea.

Adam Reach put the Owls, with new boss Tony Pulis in charge, ahead on 27 minutes from a corner.

However, a curled equaliser from substitute Andre Ayew on the hour saw the points shared.

Swansea move to fourth, now three points behind second-placed Bournemouth.