• Championship

QPR begin promotion bid with win

ESPN staff
August 3, 2013
Joey Barton returned to competitive action for QPR in his side's 2-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday © Getty Images
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Queens Park Rangers managed to do in 90 minutes what it took them 16 games to achieve last season, taking three points at the first time of asking against Sheffield Wednesday on their return to the Championship.

After last year's relegation from the Premier League, Harry Redknapp got his promotion bid off to the perfect start as QPR came from behind to secure a 2-1 win at Loftus Road.

With wantaway midfielder Joey Barton starting for the hosts, Atdhe Nuhiu put the visitors ahead on his debut but Nedum Onuoha levelled with his first goal for the west London club before Andrew Johnson volleyed in soon after.

FA Cup winners Wigan, also relegated from the top tier last season, thrashed ten-man Barnsley in Owen Coyle's first competitive game in charge of the Latics.

Ben Watson, who scored the only goal as Wigan shocked Manchester City at Wembley in May, grabbed the visitors' first. Grant Holt then diverted in Emmerson Boyce's shot to double Wigan's lead.

Barnsley's Dale Jennings then saw red for a professional foul, with Leon Barnett and Shaun Maloney adding the gloss to the scoreline.

Last season's defeated play-off finalists Watford won 1-0 at Birmingham thanks to Troy Deeney's strike, while Edward Upson's late goal gave promoted Yeovil three points at Millwall.

Reading saw off Ipswich 2-1 at home while the Royals' former manager Brian McDermott's Leeds came from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 thanks to summer signing Luke Murphy's late winner.

In League One, Leyton Orient sealed a comprehensive 5-1 win at Carlisle United, while Oldham Athletic triumphed 4-3 in a seven goal thriller at Stevenage.

Peterborough, relegated from the Championship last season, saw off Swindon 1-0 at home with Britt Assombalonga scoring ten minutes in to his debut.

In League Two, Newport County marked their first match back in the Football League for 25 years with a resounding 4-1 win over Accrington Stanley.

Portsmouth started life in the fourth tier of English football with a 4-1 home defeat to Oxford United, with Rochdale seeing off Hartlepool United 3-0.

Click here for all the results from the Championship, League One and League Two.

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