Jones inspires late Rams raid

David Jones’ injury-time free-kick hauled Derby level on points with Coca-Cola Championship leaders Birmingham as they claimed a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park.

The former Manchester United midfielder swung in a delightful curling 20-yard shot from wide on the right in the 94th minute after substitute Craig Fagan, making his debut for the Rams, was felled by Tommy Spurr.

It was tough luck on Brian Laws’ side, who had looked set to extend their unbeaten away run to five games after a dogged match dominated by defenders.

Birmingham have a game in hand after their home match with Leeds was postponed.

Liam Chilvers scored the only goal of the game as third-placed Preston boosted their promotion prospects and piled the pressure on struggling Barnsley.

Lewis Neal failed to make the most of a couple of decent opportunities while Paul Hayes hit the bar for Barnsley in an opening period that Preston edged.

North End continued to dominate after the break and, following a flurry of chances, Chilvers thumped home a header within 10 minutes of the restart.

Neither Southampton nor Burnley could break the stalemate in an uninspiring clash at St Mary’s.

Both sides harbour genuine play-off aspirations, but neither came remotely close to showing themselves worthy of gaining promotion during 90 minutes of very few chances and precious little quality.

Chris Iwelumo’s second-half penalty earned Colchester a point but the play-off hopefuls’ proud run of 11 straight home wins ground to a halt after Iain Hume netted his ninth goal of the season for Leicester.

Lee Bradbury’s first-half thunderbolt was enough to earn Southend their first Championship away win and heap more misery on out-of-sorts Cardiff at Ninian Park.

Substitute Stuart Elliott’s late double earned Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Hull a 2-1 win against 10-man QPR, for whom Dexter Blackstock scored in first-half injury-time.

Lee Cook’s sending off for the visitors sandwiched Elliott’s late strikes at the KC Stadium.

Two superb second-half free-kicks from Akos Buzsaky saw Plymouth win at Norwich for the first time in 46 years.

The visitors came from behind after Barry Hayles cancelled out Youssef Safri’s first-half opener.

Coventry manager Micky Adams faces an uncertain future after his side’s first-half capitulation in a miserable 4-2 defeat to Crystal Palace at the Ricoh Arena.

City, now seven games without a win, were ravaged inside 20 first-half minutes as Carl Fletcher, Shefki Kuqi, Leon Cort and the outstanding Jobi McAnuff netted for the merciless Eagles.

Leon McKenzie pulled one back for Coventry on the stroke of half-time and Kevin Kyle netted in an improved second-half performance, but the defeat left Adams’ position at the club under serious threat.

Elsewhere, debutant Anthony Stokes provided the inspiration for Sunderland as David Connolly’s first-half winner secured a crucial victory against Ipswich, while Clint Hill earned Stoke a 1-1 draw at home to Wolves, who had led through Neill Collins.