Stoke City moved within one point of leaders West Bromwich Albion and Bristol City in The Coca-Cola Championship ahead of Saturday’s 3pm kick-offs with a 2-1 lunchtime win over playoff-chasing Cardiff City at The Britannia Stadium.
Cardiff manager Dave Jones received the divisional Manager of the Month award this week and should have known what was coming as his side fell behind after 39 minutes.
Roger Johnson will be cursing his luck after he netted a second own goal in 14 days, The Bluebirds defender diverting Liam Lawrence’s corner past Michael Oakes.
It stayed that way until the break, but Tony Pulis’ Potters doubled their advantage 12 minutes after the restart when Ricardo Fuller was fouled in the area by Kevin McNaughton. The Jamaican star picked himself up and buried the spot-kick past Oakes.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink found the net six minutes later to bring Cardiff back into the game, but they could not find the equaliser and lose ground in their own promotion push.
QPR pulled off the result of the day in the Championship on Saturday, with Ghana ace Patrick Agyemang scoring twice for the Londoners in a 3-0 blitz of high-flying Bristol City.
He netted on 18 minutes and doubled his tally 12 minutes before the break, with Ákos Buzsáky making sure of the success on 63 minutes.
West Brom moved three clear at the top by virtue of a 2-1 win over Burnley at home, though they had to come from behind.
James Kevin O’Connor gave the visitors a surprise third-minute lead, only for Boštjan Cesar to level on 26 minutes and Roman Bednar to score the winner on the hour mark.
Colchester and Sheffield United shared four goals in a game which featured a remarkable 20-minute spell either side of the break at Layer Road.
Luton Shelton put Sheffield in front just before the break, only for Kevin Lisbie to blast home an equaliser 26 seconds after it. Chris Armstrong’s own goal had the hosts ahead on 63 minutes, but David Carney made it 2-2 a couple of minutes later.
Coventry City were far too strong for Barnsley at the Ricoh Arena (4-0), Iain Dowie’s men taking the lead eight minutes shy of the break through Leon Best.
Julian Gray and Jay Tabb netted in the final quarter, with Best adding another to ease City’s relegation fears somewhat.
High-flying Crystal Palace were held 1-1 by Southampton at Selhurst Park. James Scowcroft looked like he’d prove the hero for Neil Warnock’s men, his goal 17 minutes from time ending the stalemate.
However, Stern John blasted home six minutes from time from close range after Andrew Surman’s pass, 1-1 it ended.
Veteran striker Dean Windass can still find the onion bag and did so as Hull enjoyed a 1-0 win in Plymouth. The frontman netted on 45 minutes.
Alan Quinn is making an impression at Ipswich Town, whose promotion aspirations were aided by a 2-1 success away to Sheffield Wednesday.
The Irishman scored on four minutes, yet it lasted only seven as Marcus Tudgay equalised from a corner-kick. The winner came 19 minutes from time, when Alex Bruce crossed for Alan Lee to make it 2-1.
Scunthorpe are still in the drop zone but they will be delighted with a 1-0 win over promotion candidates Charlton Athletic at Glanford Park.
Former Stoke City player Martin Paterson scored the winner after 63 minutes, adding further woe to Charlton, who lost Andy Reid to Sunderland during the week. Andy Butler was sent off for the hosts 16 minutes from time.
Blackpool enjoyed a 2-1 win over Leicester City, with much-travelled Paul Dickov scoring a dramatic winner in injury time for the home side.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher had them in front on three minutes, only for Steve Howard to equalise just after the hour mark.
Norwich City also enjoyed a late win, Darel Russell’s goal in a 1-0 decision coming dead on 90 minutes, making it a miserable day for Preston North End at Carrow Road.