Premiership promotion hopefuls slip up
Nicklas Bendtner failed to conjure up a goal at Carrow Road
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Tuesday, 13, Mar 2007 11:07
It is a case of as you were at the top of the Championship as the leading three clubs all failed to win in tonight's games.
Leaders Birmingham lost 1-0 away at Norwich, while second and third-placed Derby and Sunderland could only manage home draws.
Steve Bruce's team dominated possession at Carrow Road but failed to find the breakthrough.
The Blues' profligacy in front of goal was punished shortly after the break by Darren Huckerby's fine solo goal.
Birmingham's nearest title rivals Derby failed to take advantage however, with Billy Davies forced to watch his team scrabble for an answer when Martin Rowlands put QPR 1-0 up at Pride Park after 14 minutes.
But the Rams' quality ultimately shone through, and defender Darren Moore grabbed a deserved equaliser when he headed home with three minutes left on the clock.
Sunderland were also held at the Stadium of Light by Stoke, who still have their own play-off aspirations.
The away team took the lead when Darel Russell's shot squirmed under the gloves of Sunderland keeper Darren Ward, but Dean Whitehead's strike drew Roy Keane's team level.
Belgian defender Carl Hoefkens regained Stoke's advantage moments before the half-time whistle, with Sunderland's 2007 unbeaten record only preserved by an injury-time volley from Daryl Murphy.
Preston meanwhile enjoyed a 1-0 win against Ipswich to move into fourth place thanks to Michael Ricketts' early goal at Deepdale.
And Cardiff lost their place in the play-offs despite staging a two goal fight-back to draw 2-2 at Southampton.
Elsewhere in England's second tier Iain Dowie's honeymoon period at Coventry continued with a 2-1 home win over Wolves; Leicester and Leeds played out a 1-1 draw at the Walkers Stadium; Luton lost 2-1 at home to Hull, Frank Simek's goal set Sheffield Wednesday up for a 2-1 win over Colchester and a last-gasp strike from Richie Foran handed Southend a 1-0 win over Burnley.