Reading remain in top spot in the Second Division but only on goal difference from Brighton after an entertaining 3-3 draw against Bristol City.

It was a day of heartbreak at the other end of the table however as Cambridge were relegated by an injury-time Dean Holden equaliser for Oldham.

Five goals were scored in a frenetic first quarter of an hour in Reading's game at Ashton Gate.

Andy Hughes opened the scoring in the second minute for the Royals and Nicky Forster converted a penalty three minutes later.

Lee Peacock responded instantly for the Robins, who drew level through a penalty of their own from Mickey Bell in the 13th minute.

Incredibly, Reading restored their lead a minute later through Kevin Watson before Steve Robinson's 59th-minute goal meant honours were even.

Brighton faced no such opposition as they strolled to a 4-1 win over Colchester at Layer Road.

Richard Carpenter grabbed the first and final goals with loan signing Wayne Gray and Paul Brooker netting in the 27th and 29th minutes respectively, veteran Micky Stockwell scoring a consolation for the Us.

Brentford were the big winners of the day and now lie just two points behind the top two thanks to a 1-0 win over fourth-placed Stoke, Steven Sidwell's 67th-minute strike proving to be enough.

Huddersfield stay fifth following a 1-1 draw with Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground, Delroy Facey's 53rd-minute effort was quickly cancelled out by Craig Faulconbridge.

The result reduced the gap between the Dragons and Bournemouth in 22nd place to three points.

Cardiff moved into the play-offs at Bristol City's expense, goals from Leo Fortune-West and Andy Campbell, who made his move to Ninian Park from Middlesbrough permanent earlier in the week, sealing the win over Chesterfield.

Cambridge's season of struggle reached its inevitable conclusion as they were relegated, but in the end it was a cruel way to go.

The Us had been on course for their first away win in the league this season when Ian Ashbee and Luke Guttridge gave them an advantage, Dean Holden replying with one for Oldham.

But in the dying seconds Holden scored his second to send Cambridge down after three seasons in the Second Division.

Notts County did their survival hopes no harm as a Danny Allsopp double gave them victory over fellow strugglers Bournemouth at Meadow Lane.

QPR won a dramatic match against Tranmere 3-2 at Prenton Park to keep their faint play-off hopes alive.

Andy Thomson gave them the lead (14) but goals from Jason Koumas (60), who almost joined West Brom this week, and Stuart Barlow (70) put the Birkenhead team ahead.

Richard Langley pulled the Rs level seven minutes later and Thomson grabbed a last-minute winner.

Wigan, without new record signing Nathan Ellington in their ranks, slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Port Vale.

Stephen Brooker's goal on the stroke of half-time enabled the Valiants to move above the Lancashire side into 12th place.

Peterborough made major gains, moving up three places to 15th with a 2-1 win over Wycombe at London Road.

Leon McKenzie's 17th goal of the season after 14 minutes put Posh on the right road and Francis Green doubled the lead on the hour before Mark Tyler's own goal set up a tense finale.