The third-placed Canaries - who have now won five of the last six - went ahead through a rare goal from defender Russell Martin (10).

Rangers had Matthew Connolly dismissed five minutes into the second half for what referee Jon Moss ruled was a professional foul on Grant Holt and although substitute Patrick Agyemang hit the post, Neil Warnock's men could not recover as their lead was cut down to just four points.

Swansea are second, but having played a match more than both QPR and Norwich, after Darren Pratley's (65) goal gave them a 1-0 win at Liberty Stadium.

Cardiff missed the chance to also close the gap as they suffered another away defeat, losing 3-0 at Bristol City.

The Bluebirds - who last won away in mid-November - were behind after just three minutes when Brett Pitman converted.

Lee Johnson (39) made it 2-0 just before half-time, and Jamal Campbell-Ryce (55) wrapped things up for the hosts.

Luciano Becchio struck in stoppage time as Leeds snatched a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at Elland Road.

David Wheater's header (20) had looked like it would be enough for victory, but Argentinian striker Becchio slotted home a late equaliser to extend Leeds' unbeaten run to 12 matches, which leaves them fourth but just two points off second place.

Millwall are now up into the play-offs after a hat-trick from Jason Puncheon beat struggling Crystal Palace 3-0 at the New Den, which cost Eagles boss George Burley his job.

Puncheon set the Lions on their way after eight minutes, and wrapped things up with a second-half brace (65 & 71) which sealed Burley's fate.

Managerless Burnley handed new Sheffield United boss Micky Adams his first defeat in a 4-2 victory at Turf Moor.

The Blades had taken an early lead through Mark Yeates (9).

However, the Clarets were level when Chris Eagles (29) crashed in a 30-yard effort, with Chris Iwelumo and Jay Rodriguez both scoring in first half stoppage time.

Ched Evans' penalty at the start of the second half gave the Blades hope, but there was no way back as Steven Thompson (84) netted a late fourth for the hosts as Burnley caretaker manager Stuart Gray chalked up a first victory to move seventh.

Preston also replaced their manager earlier this week, sacking Darren Ferguson.

The Championship's bottom club, now under the guidance of David Unsworth, started 2011 with a 2-1 home defeat against Derby through a brace from Chris Porter (70 & 84), with Callum Davidson netting a consolation penalty in stoppage time.

Coventry played the last half hour with 10 men after the sending off of striker Marlon King, but still secured a 1-1 draw against Ipswich.

New Zealand forward Rory Fallon (44) put the Tractor Boys in front just before the break, but Freddy Eastwood (48) levelled at the start of the second half.

King was then shown a straight red card for a late challenge on Darren O'Dea, but the Sky Blues held on for a point to end a three-match losing run.

Nottingham Forest battled back from 2-0 down to draw against Barnsley at the City Ground.

Forest had thrashed east midlands rivals Derby 5-2 in midweek, but were behind to goals from Matthew Hill (17) and Andy Gray (50).

However, Lewis McGugan (68) started the comeback from the penalty spot, with Nathan Tyson (80) bundling home a late equaliser to keep Forest in touch with the play-off places.

An early goal from former England striker Darius Vassell (11) proved enough to give Sven-Goran Eriksson's Leicester victory at Hull, who had Liam Rosenior sent off for a challenge which saw Greg Cunningham carried off.

Doncaster raced into a 3-0 half-time lead over struggling Scunthorpe after a delayed start because of a lack of enough ambulances at Keepmoat Stadium.

When the action finally got under way, goals from Billy Sharp (26), James Hayter (38) and Joseph Mills (45) put the home side in charge.

The third-placed Canaries - who have now won five of the last six - went ahead through a rare goal from defender Russell Martin (10).

Rangers had Matthew Connolly dismissed five minutes into the second half for what referee Jon Moss ruled was a professional foul on Grant Holt and although substitute Patrick Agyemang hit the post, Neil Warnock's men could not recover as their lead was cut down to just four points.

Swansea are second, but having played a match more than both QPR and Norwich, after Darren Pratley's (65) goal gave them a 1-0 win at Liberty Stadium.

Cardiff missed the chance to also close the gap as they suffered another away defeat, losing 3-0 at Bristol City.

The Bluebirds - who last won away in mid-November - were behind after just three minutes when Brett Pitman converted.

Lee Johnson (39) made it 2-0 just before half-time, and Jamal Campbell-Ryce (55) wrapped things up for the hosts.

Luciano Becchio struck in stoppage time as Leeds snatched a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at Elland Road.

David Wheater's header (20) had looked like it would be enough for victory, but Argentinian striker Becchio slotted home a late equaliser to extend Leeds' unbeaten run to 12 matches, which leaves them fourth but just two points off second place.

Millwall are now up into the play-offs after a hat-trick from Jason Puncheon beat struggling Crystal Palace 3-0 at the New Den, which cost Eagles boss George Burley his job.

Puncheon set the Lions on their way after eight minutes, and wrapped things up with a second-half brace (65 & 71) which sealed Burley's fate.

Managerless Burnley handed new Sheffield United boss Micky Adams his first defeat in a 4-2 victory at Turf Moor.

The Blades had taken an early lead through Mark Yeates (9).

However, the Clarets were level when Chris Eagles (29) crashed in a 30-yard effort, with Chris Iwelumo and Jay Rodriguez both scoring in first half stoppage time.

Ched Evans' penalty at the start of the second half gave the Blades hope, but there was no way back as Steven Thompson (84) netted a late fourth for the hosts as Burnley caretaker manager Stuart Gray chalked up a first victory to move seventh.

Preston also replaced their manager earlier this week, sacking Darren Ferguson.

The Championship's bottom club, now under the guidance of David Unsworth, started 2011 with a 2-1 home defeat against Derby through a brace from Chris Porter (70 & 84), with Callum Davidson netting a consolation penalty in stoppage time.

Coventry played the last half hour with 10 men after the sending off of striker Marlon King, but still secured a 1-1 draw against Ipswich.

New Zealand forward Rory Fallon (44) put the Tractor Boys in front just before the break, but Freddy Eastwood (48) levelled at the start of the second half.

King was then shown a straight red card for a late challenge on Darren O'Dea, but the Sky Blues held on for a point to end a three-match losing run.

Nottingham Forest battled back from 2-0 down to draw against Barnsley at the City Ground.

Forest had thrashed east midlands rivals Derby 5-2 in midweek, but were behind to goals from Matthew Hill (17) and Andy Gray (50).

However, Lewis McGugan (68) started the comeback from the penalty spot, with Nathan Tyson (80) bundling home a late equaliser to keep Forest in touch with the play-off places.

An early goal from former England striker Darius Vassell (11) proved enough to give Sven-Goran Eriksson's Leicester victory at Hull, who had Liam Rosenior sent off for a challenge which saw Greg Cunningham carried off.

Doncaster raced into a 3-0 half-time lead over struggling Scunthorpe after a delayed start because of a lack of enough ambulances at Keepmoat Stadium.

When the action finally got under way, goals from Billy Sharp (26), James Hayter (38) and Joseph Mills (45) put the home side in charge.