Baggies grab top spot as Hornets held by Cardiff

WEST BROM went top of the Coca-Cola Championship courtesy of a 4-1 victory over Bristol City.

Following a goalless first half, Roman Bednar broke the deadlock on 48 minutes before Robert Koren added a second 20 minutes later.

A brace from Kevin Phillips put the result beyond doubt although substitute Darren Byfield at least grabbed a late consolation for the visitors three minutes from the end.

The Baggies went above former leaders Watford on goal difference after Adrian Boothroyd’s side were held 2-2 at home to Cardiff.

The Hornets have not won at home since October 20 and were destined for defeat until Jobi McAnuff scored from the edge of the box in the third minute of added time.

Roger Johnson gave the visitors the lead in the first half but it was cancelled out just after the break by captain Jay DeMerit’s close-range strike. Peter Whittingham restored the Bluebirds’ lead minutes later with a fine solo run and shot but Watford fought back to grab a fortuitous point.

Stoke went third after snatching a 3-3 draw at Barnsley with Ireland’s Liam Lawrence scoring a hat-trick.

Lawrence twice got the visitors back on level terms following goals from Brian Howard and former Irish international Jon Macken, but his second five minutes from time appeared to have settled a pulsating game in favour of the home side.

But the former Sunderland midfielder completed his treble with his second penalty of the day in the last minute after Stephen Foster had been sent off.

Charlton remain fifth after holding out for a share of the spoils at Norwich despite being a man down for an hour.

Charlton grabbed a first-half lead through Zheng Zhi but were forced onto the back foot following Sam Sodje’s dismissal for a terrible challenge on Darel Russell after just 30 minutes.

Russell got his revenge by heading home the equaliser 17 minutes from time.

Plymouth climbed into the play-off places with a last-gasp winner against QPR which sent the visitors back into the relegation zone.

Gareth Ainsworth put QPR in front but Sylvain Ebanks-Blake (47) converted from the penalty spot and snatched the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Play-off hopefuls Ipswich and Wolves both suffered 2-0 defeats on the road, Ipswich going down to goals from Richard Stearman and Patrick Kisnorbo against Leicester and Hull seeing off Mick McCarthy’s side through Richard Garcia and Fraizer Campbell at the KC Stadium.

Ten-man Blackpool fought back to grab a point in a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Ian Evatt conceded a penalty and was sent off after just eight minutes, and although James Beattie missed from the spot he did put United ahead later in the half.

However, Claus Jorgensen grabbed a second-half equaliser from a free-kick.

Clive Platt grabbed a vital equaliser to rescue a point for bottom side Colchester and dent Southampton’s play-off hopes at Layer Road.

Jhon Viafara’s close-range finish had given the visitors a deserved lead at the break but Platt struck straight after the restart to earn the Us only their second point in five matches and keep them within three of safety.

Martin Paterson’s 10th goal of the season gave Scunthorpe victory over fellow strugglers Preston at Deepdale.

Deon Burton and Ade Akinbiyi scored within the space of two first-half minutes as Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday drew 1-1 at Turf Moor.

Crystal Palace extended their unbeaten run to 11 games with victory over an uninspiring Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.

Clinton Morrison netted his 10th league goal of the season before Michael Doyle saw his penalty well saved by Eagles goalkeeper Julian Speroni just after the hour mark. Substitute Paul Ifill added a second in the closing stages.