Burnley midfielder James O'Connor had opened the scoring for the Clarets in the third minute before Bostjan Cesar equalised in the 26th minute for the home side.

Roman Bednar gave Tony Mowbray's side the lead in the 60th minute who would have won comfortably had Robert Koren not failed to convert a 68th-minute penalty.

Second-placed Bristol City failed to keep up the pressure on the leaders after they slipped to a 3-0 defeat to QPR at Loftus Road.

Rangers striker Patrick Agyemang (18 and 33) struck twice before half-time and midfielder Akos Buzsaky added a third in the 63rd minute to seal the points.

Charlton also missed the chance to close the gap after they suffered a one-goal defeat to 10-man Scunthorpe at Glanford Park.

Martin Paterson grabbed the only goal of the game for Nigel Adkins' side in the 63rd minute who had defender Andy Butler sent off for a second-bookable offence 16 minutes from time.

In the day's early kick-off Stoke moved up to third after they defeated Cardiff 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium thanks to an own goal from Roger Johnson and a 57th-minute Ricardo Fuller penalty.

Striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink pulled one back for the Bluebirds in the 63rd minute but the Stoke defence stood firm for the remainder of the game to help Tony Pulis' side clinch the three points.

Crystal Palace remain outside the play-off spots on goal difference after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton at Selhurst Park.

James Scowcroft's 73rd-minute strike looked like it would be enough to give Neil Warnock's side the points but Stern John popped up six minutes from time to earn the Saints a share of the spoils.

Bottom side Colchester collected a valuable point after they held Sheffield United to a 2-2 draw in an eventful game at Layer Road.

Luton Shelton had given the Blades the lead on the stroke of half-time but Kevin Lisbie levelled matters a minute after the break.

Defender Chris Armstrong (64) then gave Colchester the lead when he put through his own net but Australian David Carney rescued Bryan Robson's side when he netted two minutes later.

Preston's hopes of beating the drop took a hit after Darel Russell scored in second-half injury time to give Norwich a 1-0 win at Carrow Road.

Ipswich finally ended their search for a first win on the road with a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Alan Quinn had given Jim Magilton's side the lead in the fourth minute before Marcus Tudgay equalised nine minutes later.

But Alan Lee produced a clever close-range finish in the 71st minute to end their 14-game run without an away win.

Coventry striker Leon Best (37 and 84) struck twice to help give his side's survival hopes a lift with a 4-0 thrashing of Barnsley at the Ricoh Arena.

Midfielders Julian Gray (70) and Jay Tabb (75) also found the net for Iain Dowie's side who are now five points clear of the drop zone.

Goals from Gary Taylor-Fletcher (3) and Paul Dickov (90) either side of a strike from Steve Howard (62) gave Blackpool a 2-1 win over Leicester.

Veteran striker Dean Windass scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time to give Hull a 1-0 win over Plymouth.

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Two goals from winger Tommy Smith helped Watford to a 3-0 win over Wolves at Vicarage Road and gained revenge for their 4-1 FA Cup exit to the same opposition.

The Hornets took the lead after just 59 seconds when Steve Kabba headed his first goal for the club.

Smith then struck in the 76th and 78th minutes to settle the contest and push his side up to second in the Championship table.