Phillips fired home after 35 minutes and the Iron were dealt a further blow when Marcus Williams saw red for a professional foul.

Robert Koren doubled the advantage, Phillips scored in the 52nd minute and even missed a penalty for his hat-trick.

But further goals from Zoltan Gera and Craig Beattie ensured the Baggies took full advantage of Watford's defeat at home to QPR.

The second-placed Hornets' woeful home form hit rock-bottom as Martin Rowlands, Damion Stewart and Akos Buzsaky fired lowly Rangers to an amazing 4-2 win at Vicarage Road.

Adrian Boothroyd's men self-destructed in spectacular fashion as Rowlands converted an early penalty before Stewart and Rowlands made it 3-0 before half-time.

Damien Francis pulled on back, but substitute Buzsaky hit a fourth for the visitors before Danny Shittu's late goal.

Owen Coyle's wait for a first home win as Burnley manager went on after Tamas Vasko sent Bristol City level on points with Watford.

Vasko scored the only goal of the game just after the hour at Turf Moor.

Promotion hopefuls Plymouth and Stoke drew 2-2 at Home Park, Richard Cresswell's opener for the visitors cancelled out by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake who followed up his own saved penalty.

Ryan Shawcross then gave City but Krisztian Timar equalised before Russell Hoult was sent off on his league debut for the Potters.

Colchester remained rooted to the bottom of the table as Scott Vernon's brace helped Blackpool to a comfortable win at Layer Road.

Former Leicester defender Paddy McCarthy returned to haunt his former club with a last-minute equaliser to earn Charlton a 1-1 draw at the Walkers Stadium.

Stephen Clemence's goal had looked like giving Ian Holloway back-to-back league wins for the first time as Foxes boss.

Jamie Cureton struck 15 minutes from time at to earn Norwich a 1-1 draw and extend Wolves' winless streak to six Championship matches.

Andy Keogh's first goal in 17 games just after half-time looked to have given his side all three points.

Cardiff continued their climb up the table after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Preston.

The visitors trailed at half-time following a fifth-minute strike from Simon Whaley but second-half efforts from Roger Johnson and Joe Ledley gave the Bluebirds their fourth win in six games.

Bradley Wright-Phillips came off the bench to score a predatory double and rescue a 2-2 draw for Southampton at Barnsley.

The Tykes were 2-0 up at half-time and in total control after stunning strikes from midfielder Sam Togwell and winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce.

The lunchtime kick-off saw Neil Warnock celebrate a winning return to Bramall Lane as Crystal Palace beat Sheffield United 1-0.

Warnock, who spent seven-and-a-half years in charge of boyhood idols United, looked on as James Scowcroft scored the winner seven minutes before half-time to move his side within touching distance of the play-offs.

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Coventry defeated Ipswich 2-1 in the late kick-off at the Ricoh Arena with goals from Julian Gray and Dele Adebola.

Gray opened the scoring after 11 minutes only for Danny Haynes to equalise three minutes before the break.

The winger then set up Adebola for the winner after 64 minutes before Ipswich were reduced to 10 men when Tommy Miller was dismissed for his second bookable offence with four minutes remaining.