Adriano Basso saved Darius Henderson's penalty just before half-time to earn league leaders City a vital draw which keeps them a point above Stoke.

Mamady Sidibe's header (58) was enough to earn the Potters a battling 1-0 win at Norwich, despite some intense second-half pressure from the Canaries.

Wade Elliott's screamer (59) handed Burnley a 1-0 win over Charlton at Turf Moor which boosted their play-off hopes while denting those of the Addicks.

Bottom side Scunthorpe got a much-needed 1-0 win over Plymouth thanks to Ian Morris's 55th-minute goal, while the visitors' misery was compounded by the sending-off of goalkeeper Luke McCormack.

FA Cup heroes Barnsley came from behind to beat Ipswich 4-1 at Oakwell.

Pablo Counago (20) fired the Tractor Boys ahead, but Brian Howard (27) levelled, Jon Macken headed the Tykes ahead in the 50th minute, Howard added a third from the spot and a David Wright own goal (86) made it four.

Sheffield Wednesday improved their chances of beating the drop with a 2-1 comeback win at Colchester, who remain firmly in the relegation zone.

Kevin Lisbie (four) finished sharply to give the Us an early lead, but Deon Burton's header (18) and Wade Small's cool finish (44) after outpacing the defence sealed a crucial win for the Owls.

Southampton beat fellow strugglers Leicester 1-0 at St Mary's thanks to Stern John's volley (76).

Sheffield United eased their lingering fears of the drop with a 2-1 win over Coventry, who stay deep in trouble.

Billy Sharp bundled home his first league goal for the Blades in the 69th minute and Gary Speed followed up his own penalty (78), but Elliott Ward's late penalty kept the Bramall Lane crowd on edge.

Andy Keogh (52) put Wolves ahead at improving Preston but Callum Davidson's penalty (60) and Simon Whaley's strike (81) handed North End a 2-1 victory.

mfl

QPR beat Blackpool 3-2 at Loftus Road thanks to goals from Akos Buszaky (11), Rowan Vine (40) and Martin Rowlands (47), although Ben Burgess (60) and Stephen McPhee (73) made it a nervy end to the match for the Londoners.