Watford stay one point clear at top of Championship
Championship action roundup 12/02
Tuesday, 12, Feb 2008 10:59
Watford remain one point clear at the top of the Championship after a 1-0 win over Leicester City, their third straight victory.
The Hornets had to battle hard for the three points, especially as they played with only ten men for 50 minutes following John-Joe O'Toole's sending off for a foul on Stephen Clemence.
But Darius Henderson's goal was enough to earn the win.
Sheffield United gained a point with a goalless draw against high-flying West Bromwich Albion to clamber up to 16th in the table, forcing their opponents down to fourth place in the process.
The draw may come as some relief for boss Bryan Robson, who has recently come under fire.
The high-scoring match of the evening came at Loftus Road where Burnley came from two down to beat Queens Park Rangers 4-2.
Andy Cole scored a hat-trick for Burnley - converting his first after 41 minutes from Joey Gudjohnsson's cross, before two second-half strikes sealed the win for the visitors.
Blackpool and Wolves played out a 0-0 draw at Bloomfield Road in what was a largely uneventful game. The result saw Simon Grayson's men move up to 15th in the table.
Another 0-0 draw in Coventry City's match against Cardiff City saw the Bluebirds end their run of five losses in six games.
But Crystal Palace failed to end their bad run with a 1-0 defeat to Ipswich Town, meaning the Eagles have yet to win in four games.
In contrast Hull City increased their unbeaten run to four games in a 1-1 draw with Norwich City.
Norwich were initially the front-runners after Dion Dublin hit the back of the net with a header. But Hull's Frazer Campbell equalised on 53 minutes.
Preston North End remain one point above the relegation zone after suffering a 2-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Colchester United 2-1.
The visitors were reduced to ten men following Sean St Ledger's sending off - new signing Scott Vernon converting the resulting spot-kick.
And despite Neil Mellor's equaliser for North End with just nine minutes to go, Johnnie Jackson grabbed a late winner two minutes from full-time.
Plymouth Argyle trounced Barnsley in a 3-0 win at Home Park. The defeat looked likely from early in the game when loan signing Lewin Nyatanga was given a red card shortly before Steve MacLean scored for the Pilgrims.
New signing from Exeter City Jamie Mackie lived up to expectations on his debut, scoring twice to complete the win.
Promotion hopefuls Bristol City scored a late goal through Bradley Orr to snatch a vital win over the Championship's new bottom side, Scunthorpe United.
Sheffield Wednesday ended their run of losses when they picked up a point in a 0-0 draw against Charlton Athletic.
Although Stoke City and Southampton were involved in another high-scoring game, with the final score ending 3-2 in the Potters' favour.