Israel striker Tomer Hemed came off the bench to fire Brighton into the Championship promotion places with a brace in Saturday's 2-1 win over 10-man Milton Keynes Dons.

Chris Hughton's side had dropped out of the top two following Middlesbrough's 1-0 victory over Hull on Friday.

But Hemed's introduction in the 52nd minute quickly paid off as he scored the opening goal four minutes later from the penalty spot before making it 2-0 just after the hour mark.

Milton Keynes did pull a goal back through Anthony Kay and, despite Kyle McFadzean's sending off two minutes later, they could have snatched a dramatic draw only for Carl Baker to miss a stoppage-time penalty.

Brighton's dramatic victory lifted them back into second place, one point clear of Middlesbrough, who have a game in hand, as the race for the Premier League enters the home stretch.

"Fortunately for us Hemed has come on and has had a terrific impact on the game, and that's partly down to some good team management by the manager," Brighton assistant manager Colin Calderwood said.

"Obviously his goal tally for us speaks for itself, it's increasing and that's good for us because it becomes a good focal point."

Leaders Burnley were denied a seventh straight league win as Danny Batth headed a late equaliser to earn Wolves a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.

Sean Dyche's looked set to open up a six-point lead over Brighton when Sam Vokes netted his fourth goal in three games in the second half.

But in stoppage time Batth headed home for just his second goal of the season.

"People need to remember that despite our position, nobody comes here just to lay down and roll over," Dyche said.

"Nothing ever comes easy for us here or when we're playing away from home. That's something that we all have to learn in life.

"Things might have gone against us a little today, but it's hardly drastic times is it?

"We're still clear at the top and we're still on a long unbeaten run."

Marcus Olsson's first goal for Derby was enough to secure a 1-0 victory over local rivals Nottingham Forest at the iPro Stadium and keep their promotion challenge on track.

Olsson struck 11 minutes from time, with fifth placed Derby's new football advisor Harry Redknapp watching from the directors' box.

Sheffield Wednesday strengthened their grip on the final play-off spot with a 3-0 win over struggling Charlton at Hillsborough.

Cardiff's play-off hopes suffered a setback as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Reading, while Ipswich also lost ground on the top six after a 1-0 home defeat against in-form Rotherham.

Struggling Fulham halted their losing run with a 1-1 draw at Birmingham.

Former Chelsea starlet Rohan Ince gave Fulham a first half lead with only the second goal of his career, but Michael Morrison rescued a point for Birmingham early in the second half.

Despite Fulham's first point from six games, they are just one point above the relegation area.

Elsewhere, 10-man Blackburn won 1-0 at Brentford and Preston drew 1-1 with QPR.

Huddersfield won 4-1 at Yorkshire rivals Leeds, while Bristol City crushed bottom of the table Bolton 6-0.