EFL: QPR beat Preston after Leicester go top of Championship; Vale and Fleetwood relegated

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And here's the lay of the land at the bottom of the Championship now Saturday's fixtures are said and done.

Huddersfield's heavy defeat by Swansea has meant they face an uphill battle towards survival with two games remaining.

Birmingham are two points off the drop zone after their goalless draw at already relegated Rotherham while Plymouth's loss to Stoke means they finish the day four points off the drop zone.

The Potters' victory, combined with QPR's late win against Preston, virtually confirmed the pair of them will play in the Championship next season.

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This is the state of play at the top of the Championship after today's fixtures.

Leicester took a gigantic step towards automatic promotion back to the Premier League after their win against West Brom in today's early fixture.

Southampton look like they're headed to the play-offs after losing against Cardiff while Norwich missed the chance to get one over the Baggies as they drew with Bristol City.

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Nothing was decided in the Championship today - but two more relegations were confirmed in League One, with both Fleetwood and Port Vale condemned to League Two football next season.

Fleetwood did win at Leyton Orient but it was a not enough as Burton's 3-2 victory over Reading meant that the Cod Army can no longer catch the Brewers.

That result also played a part in Vale's demise as well, although Darren Moore's men were unable to claim the win they needed to take their survival hopes to the final day as they were beaten 2-0 at Bolton.

With the game now over in west London, here's a reminder of the rest of the day's headlines in the Championship - and we'll take a look at what it all means for the table in a moment.

• Leicester returned to the top of the table and went two points clear at the summit with victory against West Brom in the early game
• Southampton's automatic promotion hopes take a huge blow as Cardiff fight back to beat the Saints at home
• Norwich draw with Bristol City and miss the chance to move up to fifth
• Hull fail to close the gap on the play-off spots as they play out a goalless draw with Watford
• Millwall all but confirm Championship safety by beating Sunderland
• Stoke move six points clear of the drop zone with victory against relegation rivals Plymouth
• Birmingham end the day two points off the bottom three after a goalless draw at Rotherham, which was heavily delayed after a medical emergency in the stands at the New York Stadium
• It's a bad afternoon in Huddersfield's battle to avoid the drop as they are beaten 4-0 at home by Swansea

It's a frustrating evening because Preston started so brightly. Lowe made some changes, got more bodies forward but you've got to say in terms of putting pressure on the goalkeeper, they've huffed and puffed but they've been missing quality in the final third.

A frustrating end to the season for Preston North End.

A roar goes around Loftus Road as the whistle is sounded.

What a win for QPR! They finish the day six points clear of the Championship relegation places courtesy of their win against Preston.

They're all but safe and you can feel the relief around the ground.

Lyndon Dykes' goal was all that separated the sides in the end and Preston looked well off the pace. You'd never know the Rs were staring down relegation from the way they dominated that game.

QPR win a free-kick virtually on the Preston corner flag.

Their fans cheer it like a goal. They're in raptures. They're almost safe.

Oof.

Preston win a throw-in deep in the QPR half and Duane Holmes sends it in but the visitors can't quite make it count.

QPR break up the other end and a ball across the face of goal flies out for a Preston throw-in.

It's tense!

A late double substitution from QPR.

Jake Clarke-Salter has gone down with what looks like some sort of injury. That's caused some confusion on the hosts' bench as it's seemingly caught them unawares.

Ilias Chair and Lyndon Dykes come off. Isaac Hayden and Sinclair Armstrong are sent on with five minutes added on.

There's three points here if QPR want it. A massive three points for them as well.

This is what QPR want. They want this game to fizzle out because if it doesn't, it goes 1-1. Preston North End need to stay professional here.

Jordan Storey and Lyndon Dykes go into the book for a coming together in midfield.

Three minutes remain.

QPR keeper Asmir Begovic pushes Preston's corner away and the visitors keep it alive.

Andrew Hughes gets possession on the left flank but he can't get another cross into the box before QPR clear their lines.

Meanwhile, Morgan Fox replaces Kenneth Paal in a straight full-back swap for the hosts.

Regardless of how they've played today, you just get the feeling this game could turn and Preston could nick a point against QPR.

Case in point, Milutin Osmajic works onto a neat lofted ball into the Rs' box from fellow North End substitute Duane Holmes but he can't quite tap it home before Jimmy Dunne puts it out for a corner.

Massive calls for a penalty from QPR as they go on the attack again.

Ilias Chair whips in a ball right on the byline and into the Preston box and the ball seemingly cannons off the arm of Jordan Storey but the referee says nothing doing.

A double Preston change.

Milutin Osmajic and Duane Holmes are dispatched by Ryan Lowe. Will Keane and Robbie Brady come on.

Ryan Lowe needs to roll the dice. They've been competitive but they've been loose in possession and the passing has not been anywhere near good enough.

Preston pick up a third booking. This time as Andrew Hughes commits a cynical foul in midfield on Paul Smyth.

Preston keeper Freddie Woodman pushes away Ilias Chair's free-kick which is glanced goalbound by Sam Field.

15 minutes left and somehow only a goal in it. You get the feeling QPR wouldn't mind another goal.

Another QPR ball into the Preston box, this time from substitute Paul Smyth.

But Mads Frokjaer puts a block in and Preston survive once more.