SOCCER:ROY Keane's Ipswich are sliding down the table fast after their 2-0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest – their third loss in three games.

“At the moment it’s not happening for us,” Keane said afterwards. “We have lost our last three games . . . Now we need to respond on Tuesday night in what is a big game for us against Northampton and a chance to get to the quarter-finals of the cup.”

Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long was among the scorers as Reading beat Burnley 4-0 at Turf Moor. Third in the table Swansea extended their unbeaten run to five matches with a 2-0 win over Leicester at the Liberty Stadium. It was Swansea’s fourth clean sheet in a row to keep them third, above Norwich on goal difference. Norwich kept the pressure on Swansea with a 1-0 win over managerless Middlesbrough. Fifth-placed Watford suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Scunthorpe, who have now claimed four of their five league victories this season away from Glanford Park. Preston climbed out of the relegation zone with a 4-3 win over Crystal Palace.

Tonight: Leeds Utd v Cardiff City (live on Sky Sports 1, 7.45pm).