Newcastle United is on the brink of being promoted back to the Premier League as the other high-flyers in the Championship faltered.

Third-placed Reading was beaten 3-2 as Nottingham Forest secured a huge three points in its battle against the drop, meaning the Royals are six points shy of Newcastle with two games of their season remaining.

Reading is crucially 36 worse off than Newcastle in terms of goal difference and must now prepare for a play-off campaign, something that is almost certain to concern Huddersfield Town after its 4-1 loss at home to in-form Fulham.

The Terriers have three to play and are seven points behind Newcastle, which will confirm an instant return to the top flight if it beats Preston North End on Tuesday (AEST).

Huddersfield lies fifth, a place below Sheffield Wednesday after its Yorkshire counterpart beat Derby County 2-1, while Leeds United's defeat by the same scoreline to Burton means Fulham has a three-point cushion in sixth.

At the other end of the table, Wigan Athletic drew 0-0 at home to Cardiff City and will be relegated if Birmingham City avoids defeat in Monday's (AEST) derby at Aston Villa.