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Wolves and Birmingham extended their lead over Reading at the top of the Championship as they both won and the Royals were held.

Chris Iwelumo scored twice to make it 15 for the season in Wolves' 3-1 win over Sheffield United 3-1, giving the leaders an early advantage with a fine finish from a tight angle following a Michael Kightly cross.

The visitors lost goalkeeper Carl Ikeme to injury before the break, Wayne Hennessey taking over before Iwelumo stretched the lead in the second half.

Sylvain Ebanks-Blake put Wolves further ahead after 63 minutes before Matthew Spring scored a consolation goal for United with 15 minutes left.

A rare goal from Liam Ridgewell and a Kevin Phillips header kept up the pressure on Wolves as second-placed Birmingham beat Ipswich 2-1 at St Andrews.

Ridgewell volleyed in from close range before Phillips doubled the advantage as he headed in a cross from Sebastian Larsson.

Former Birmingham player Alex Bruce scored with six minutes remaining to ensure a nervy finish for the home side.

Third-placed Reading lost more ground on the leading duo as they were held 2-2 at Cardiff.

Reading, who lost to Southampton at the weekend, also ended the game with 10 men following the dismissal of Andre Bikey.

Michael Chopra was in the thick of the first-half action, first being fouled by Bikey which earned the Reading defender a red card, before being brought down by goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann for the penalty which restored Cardiff's lead.

On-loan Wayne Routledge had put the home side ahead before Kevin Doyle levelled for Reading.

Bikey was then sent off for his foul on Chopra before Hahnemann brought down the same player and Ross McCormack converted the penalty.

Brynjar Gunnarsson equalised five minutes into the second half but Reading could not find a winner.

Derby Count drew 2-2 with Preston North End with all the goals coming in a thrilling first half at Pride Park.

Rob Hulse gave Derby the lead but Callum Davidson levelled from the penalty spot following a foul on Ross Wallace.

Neil Mellor put the visitors ahead before Jordan Stewart volleyed home from distance to make it 2-2.

Crystal Palace won 2-1 at Norwich City with goals from Craig Beattie and John Oster.

Beattie gave Palace the lead against the run of play and Oster doubled their advantage five minutes before the break when Oster chipped the ball superbly over a stranded David Marshall from outside the area.

Matthew Pattison pulled a goal back with a header from a Lee Croft cross but the home side could not find an equaliser.

Goals from Marcus Tudgay and Deon Burton earned Sheffield Wednesday all three points against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

Daniel Fox secured Coventry a point with a late leveller at the Ricoh Arena after Jordi Gomez's fine free-kick had put visitors Swansea ahead.

New Watford manager Brendan Roberts started off with a 1-1 draw away to Bristol City thanks to a Tommy Smith goal

Stern John saw a first-half header from Brian Wilson's cross disallowed for offside before Nicky Maynard and Smith ensured the points were shared.

Bottom two Doncaster and Nottingham Forest shared a goalless draw and there were no goals between Southampton and Plymouth.

Dexter Blackstock gave new Qeens Park Rangers boss Paolo Sousa a dream start with two goals to defeat troubled Charlton 2-1.

The Addicks had parted company with manager Alan Pardew following Saturday's 5-2 home defeat to Sheffield United.

Things got no better for caretaker boss Phil Parkinson as Blackstock scored either side of Therry Racon's goal.

SportingLife / Eurosport