Republic of Ireland attacker Andy Keogh struck a late winner at Derby County to claim three vital points for Wolverhampton Wanderers as they march towards the English Premier League.

Keogh had opened the scoring in the 3-2 win at Pride Park before Derby County fought back but the result means Wolves can secure promotion with two games to spare if they defeat Queens Park Rangers at Molineux on Saturday.

Mick McCarthy’s side have been top of the English Championship table for most of the season and are poised for a top-flight return, much to the credit of Keogh and his fellow Irishmen Kevin Foley and Stephen Ward.

Elsewhere in the Easter Monday programme of matches, Ireland goalkeeper Colin Doyle (pictured left) made his first league appearance of the season for second-placed Birmingham City at home to Plymouth Argyle after being sprung from the substitute’s bench following Maik Taylor’s first-half dismissal.

His first duty was to pick the ball out of the net as Paul Gallagher converted a penalty to put the visitors ahead but the Blues levelled to keep their automatic promotion ambitions intact.

Noel Hunt fired Reading into an early lead at Blackpool but they surrendered a two-goal advantage to come away with only a point and remain in fifth place with the play-offs looking the most likely outcome for them.

Bristol City’s Republic of Ireland Under-21 goalkeeper Stephen Henderson was also thrust into the action after only nine minutes of their meeting with Ipswich Town. The stopper was brought on for his first outing of the season when regular custodian Adriano Basso was forced off. He produced a number of key saves and was only beaten in stoppage time when Ipswich slotted a penalty home to make it 1-1.

City manager Gary Johnson praised the Dubliner’s display in his post-match comments on the club’s official website. He said: “(Henderson) did very well. He was a big positive. He has been offered a new contract and today showed why."

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