In the English Premier League, Mark Schwarzer returned from injury, playing the full 90 minutes as Fulham’s poor season continued, drawing 1-1 at home to lowly Wigan Athletic. Schwarzer made a stunning stop on 55 minutes, tipping Shaun Moloney’s deflected long range strike onto the cross-bar at full stretch, before the custodian was beaten by Franco Di Santo’s bullet on 71 minutes.

Adam Federici played a full game in goal as Reading staged a dramatic late fight-back to beat West Bromwich Albion 3-2. Federici made a fine stop in the first half from James Morrison’s strike before the Baggies struck twice to lead 2-0 heading into the final 10 minutes, only for Reading to score three times, the winner coming in stoppage time as Reading claimed a vital 3 points.

Brett Holman started but was taken off at half time as Aston Villa’s season continues to plummet into freefall following a 1-0 loss at home to lowly Southampton. Holman did go close to scoring just moments after Southampton took the lead, but his deflected strike whistled just past the post. Chris Herd missed the clash with a foot injury.

Elsewhere, Brad Jones was an unused substitute as Liverpool lost 2-1 to league leaders Manchester United.

In the Championship, Scott McDonald scored again as Middlesbrough suffered a 2-1 loss at home to Watford. After drawing a decent stop from Watford ‘keeper Manuel Almunia in the first half, McDonald struck in second half stoppage time, latching onto Adam Reach’s cross to head home, but it was no more than a consolation as Boro slipped to fifth.

Rhys Williams played the full 90 minutes and was culpable for the game's opener in first half stoppage time as his attempted chest-back to Boro ‘keeper Jason Steele was weak and intercepted by Matej Vydra who slotted the ball home.

Shane Lowry played 90 minutes as Millwall drew 1-1 at Bolton Wanderers, while Mile Jedinak played a full game for Crystal Palace as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Burnley. Jedinak hit the post in second half stoppage time on another frustrating day for Palace as they are now 10 points off first-placed Cardiff City.

Elsewhere, Patrick Kisnorbo was an unused substitute as Ipswich Town drew 0-0 with Cardiff, while Neil Kilkenny was absent from the Bristol City side that were thumped 4-0 by Leicester City and consequently dropped to the bottom of the table.

In League One, Bailey Wright scored his second goal for Preston North End in their disappointing 3-1 loss to Walsall. Wright nodded home a cross in second half stoppage time with the game all but over. Shane Cansdell-Sherriff was absent from the match-day squad.

Bradden Inman played the full 90 minutes as Crewe Alexandra drew 1-1 with Leyton Orient.

Dean Bouzanis played a full game in goal as Oldham Athletic lost 2-0 to rivals Brentford. Alex Cisak was an unused substitute, while James Wesolowski missed the clash through suspension.

In League Two, Aaron Downes played 90 minutes and provided an assist as Torquay United lost 2-1 to Burton. Downes flicked on Nathan Craig’s corner which was smashed home by Ryan Jarvis.

Jamie Young kept a clean sheet as Aldershot Town beat Accrington Stanley 2-0. Elsewhere, Curtis Good was an unused substitute as Bradford City lost 2-1 to Oxford United, James Meredith was absent from the match-day squad with a virus.

In the Scottish Second Division, Marc Warren played a full game as Airdrie United scored a crucial 3-1 win over Dunfermline.

In the Italian Serie A, James Troisi was an unused substitute as Atalanta lost 2-0 to Lazio.

In the Greek Second Division, Andreas Govas played the final 22 minutes as AEL Kalloni beat AE Larisa 1-0.

In Portugal, Caleb Patterson-Sewell was an unused substitute after shipping five goals last week, as Vitoria Setubal returned to the winners list with a 5-0 thumping of Moreirense.

In the Belgian Second Division, Kofi Danning was absent from the match-day squad as CS Vise lost 2-1 Boussu Dour Borinage.

In Iran, Milan Susak was replaced on 21 minutes with an adductor strain as Sepahan beat Zob Ahan 4-3.