The Hornets looked well set for a win at QPR when Adam Johnson (49) headed them in front, but Rangers, who later had Mikele Leigertwood sent off, levelled through Stefan Moore's tap-in after Dexter Blackstock had hit the bar.

Nearest rivals Bristol City missed their chance to take advantage as Clarke Carlisle's injury-time goal held them to a 2-2 draw with Burnley at Ashton Gate.

The Clarets took the lead through Andy Gray (52) but Darren Byfield's brace (80 and 86) appeared to have won the match before Carlisle struck to send the Robins down to fourth.

First-half goals from Chris Iwelumo (18) and Luke Varney (23) were enough to see Charlton to a 2-0 win over Leicester at The Valley, a result which lifts them to second.

West Brom are third after a thrilling 3-2 win at Scunthorpe.

Andy Crosby's penalty (16) was countered by strikes from Leon Barnett (49), Chris Brunt (60) and Filipe Teixeira (78), meaning Martin Paterson's 90th-minute goal was in vain.

Stoke are up to sixth after a nail-biting 3-2 win over Plymouth at Britannia Stadium.

Marcel Seip headed home for Argyle to cancel out his own goal and Rory Fallon (59) put the visitors ahead before Liam Lawrence (66) and Ricardo Fuller (73) won it for the Potters.

Sheffield Wednesday finally recorded their first points of the season as Francis Jeffers' 40th-minute goal gave them a 1-0 win over Yorkshire rivals Hull at Hillsborough.

They are now just two points behind Preston who drew 2-2 at Cardiff in the early kick-off, with Robbie Fowler (28 and 61) and Callum Davidson (51 and 90) both firing doubles.

Under-fire Crystal Palace manager Peter Taylor was relieved to see his men edge a 3-2 thriller with Sheffield United at Selhurst Park courtesy of Ben Watson's 89th-minute penalty.

Mark Hudson's own goal (48) put the Blades ahead, but Tom Soares' tap-in (60) and Carl Fletcher (70) put Palace ahead before James Beattie's lob (76) appeared to have salvaged a point.

Mark Yeates (63 and 86) scored twice for Colchester to counter goals from Andy Morrell (54) and Shaun Barker (84) in a 2-2 draw at Blackpool.

An injury-time goal from Martin Devaney filed Barnsley to a 3-2 win at Southampton.

Grant McCann (27 and 40) scored two brilliant free-kicks for the Tykes, but Marek Saganowski (45) and Inigo Idiakez (91) seemed to have won a point for Saints before Devaney's 93rd-minute clincher.

Norwich had Jason Shackell and Julien Brellier dismissed in a 2-0 loss at Wolves.

Kevin Foley's fine strike (23) and Andy Keogh's well-worked goal (35) were enough for Mick McCarthy's side at Molineux.