Burnley overcame Reading 1-0 in their Championship play-off semi-final first leg yesterday.

Burnley, bidding to return to the top flight for the first time since 1976, won thanks to an 84th-minute penalty from Graham Alexander.

Reading finished with 10 men after Andre Bikey, who conceded the foul that led to the penalty, was later sent off for stamping on Robbie Blake.

Bikey ripped his shirt off, lost his temper and stormed off down the tunnel.

He will be banned for the second leg at Reading on Tuesday. The winners meet Preston North End or Sheffield United in the final at Wembley at the end of May.

Preston and United drew their first leg 1-1 on Friday.

Millwall beat Leeds United 1-0 in their League One semi-final first leg play-off yesterday with Neil Harris scoring the only goal.

The second leg is at Leeds on Thursday with the winners playing Milton Keynes Dons or Scunthorpe United in the final after their first leg ended 1-1.

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