LONDON (Reuters) - Derby County missed the opportunity to go second in English football's Championship (second tier) after they fell to a 2-0 defeat against mid-table Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday.
Lucas Joao scored in either half for the hosts against a third-placed Derby side who dominated possession but struggled to find a cutting edge until the closing stages.
Wednesday's victory was their first in the league since manager Jos Luhukay took over on Jan. 5.
Derby were joined on 58 points -- one behind second placed Aston Villa -- by Cardiff City after the Welsh side eased past relegation-threatened Bolton Wanderers 2-0.
Armand Traore opened the scoring with his first goal for the club before Sean Morrison added a second before the break.
Both sides have a six point advantage over Fulham and Bristol City who occupy the other playoff places but they trail runaway leaders, Wolverhampton Wanderers, by 13 points.
(Reporting By Tom Hayward; Editing by Toby Davis)
