Watford started well as Adam Johnson scored after just four minutes, but Clive Platt levelled for the visitors in the 20th minute.

The Colchester went ahead a minute after the break as Kevin Lisbie drilled home from 12 yards.

The Hornets wasted a golden opportunity to pull level after 61 minutes but Marlon King's penalty was brilliantly kept out by Dean Gerken.

However, King made amends two minutes later as his volley from 10 yards bounced over the unlucky Gerken.

Despite dominating the latter stages, Watford were unable to break down a stubborn Colchester rearguard as Geraint Williams' side held on for a point.

Ipswich maintained their 100% home record with a stunning 6-0 win over 10-man Bristol City.

Jonathan Walters put the Tractor Boys ahead after just five minutes, with David Wright adding a second in the 15th minute.

The game was put beyond the Robins' reach in the 47th minute as Tommy Miller scored from the penalty spot after Bradley Orr had committed a professional foul on Danny Haynes, with the City man receiving a red card.

There was no stopping Jim Magilton's rampant Ipswich as Walters scored twice to complete his hat-trick with Pablo Counago adding a fifth in between.

Another team in free-scoring mode was Sheffield Wednesday as Brian Laws' men thumped Southampton 5-0.

The Owls went ahead four minutes before half-time as Glenn Whelan thrashed home from the spot after Saints goalkeeper Kelvin Davis had hauled down Akpo Sodje, before Sodje scored himself after 51 minutes.

Whelan added a third four minutes later, while Sodje also got a brace with a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area after 61 minutes.

Wednesday were relentless when presented with an opportunity in front of goal and Burton O'Brien added a fifth just a minute later.

Two goals in first-half stoppage time set Charlton on their way to a 3-0 win over struggling Cardiff.

Sam Sodje put Alan Pardew's side ahead before the in-from Chris Iwelumo added a second just a minute later.

Charlton scored a third through Zheng Zhi 10 minutes before the end to kill off any hopes of a Cardiff fightback.

Hull enjoyed a productive day at home to Preston as they cruised to a 3-0 win.

Hull took the lead after 11 minutes when veteran striker Dean Windass netted before on-loan Manchester United forward Fraizer Campbell doubled the Tigers' advantage 10 minutes later.

The win was sealed for Phil Brown's outfit when Andrew Dawson scored in the 63rd minute.

Another Manchester United loanee scored in the clash between Plymouth and basement side Norwich as Lee Martin put the Pilgrims ahead after 26 minutes before Paul Connolly and David Norris completed the 3-0 win.

Clinton Morrison popped up at the death to salvage a point for Crystal Palace against QPR at Selhurst Park.

Loanee Scott Sinclair had earlier scored on his debut for Rangers.

Kaspars Gorkss' goal after 71 minutes was enough to secure a slender win for Blackpool over Scunthorpe at Bloomfield Road, while Andy Gray scored the only goal as Burnley won at Leicester.

Wolves secured a 1-0 win over Barnsley thanks to Neil Collins' goal after 13 minutes.

(reopens)

In the evening game at the Britannia Stadium, Sheffield United secured a 1-0 win over Stoke thanks to on-loan defender Gary Cahill's first-half header.