Burnley beat Reading in playoff opener

By Mike Collett

LONDON (Reuters) - Burnley overcame Reading 1-0 in their Championship (second division) playoff first leg on Saturday.

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 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 Friday.

Millwall beat Leeds United 1-0 in their League One (third division) playoff with Neil Harris scoring the only goal.

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

(Editing by Tony Jimenez