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West Brom went top of the Championship after a 2-2 draw at Sheffield United as two of their early promotion rivals finished the afternoon empty-handed.

Albion striker Roman Bednar (pictured) gave his side the lead twice at Bramall Lane only for the Blades to equalise through Ched Evans and David Cotterill's late penalty.

However, the point was enough to take them one clear as Cardiff and Middlesbrough both lost.

Leaders Cardiff were brought back down to earth with a bump as they lost 2-0 at home to Doncaster.

The Bluebirds had led Middlesbrough, Newcastle and West Brom on goal difference but were outplayed by Sean O'Driscoll's side at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Doncaster started brightly and Adam Lockwood's canny header from a corner gave them a 13th-minute lead.

Cardiff were struggling to come alive and before they had chance to recover, Rovers striker James Hayter (17) doubled the home side's lead.

Despite plenty of huffing and puffing, Dave Jones's side were unable to force a way back despite time being on their side.

Nicky Maynard's double for Bristol City condemned Middlesbrough to a 2-1 defeat against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Adam Johnson's penalty had cancelled out Maynard's 63rd-minute opener but the forward was on hand to volley home Paul Hartley's pass to win it a minute into added time.

Newcastle, third going into the weekend, play on Monday evening.

Preston had to settle for a point against struggling Ipswich after a 1-1 draw at Portman Road.

Ross Wallace scored in the 12th minute with a slick individual effort to give North End the early edge.

However, Jonathan Walters provided an equaliser shortly before the half was out, converting the rebound from his own missed penalty after Callum Davidson - who was sent off - handled in the area.

Noel Hunt's double helped Reading to a 3-1 victory at Barnsley.

Andy Gray (11) gave Barnsley an early lead but Alex Pearce brought the Royals level a minute before the half-hour mark.

Hunt's penalty completed the turnaround and moments later the Irishman made it 3-1 for a deserved win.

Nottingham Forest earned their first Championship victory of the season with a 3-2 win over local rivals Derby.

Forest raced into a 3-0 lead at the break, but the Rams got two goals back in the second half.

Radoslaw Majewski fired in the opener inside a minute for Billy Davies's side and Dexter Blackstock and Nathan Tyson put the home side clear, but deflected efforts from Miles Addison and Jake Livermore got County back into it.

However, Forest held on and the game ended with unsavoury scenes as the two teams clashed in front of the visiting supporters.

Blackpool earned their first win of the season in style as Charlie Adam (13, penalty), Ben Burgess (59) and Gary Taylor-Fletcher (71) scored in a 3-0 rout of Coventry.

Marcus Tudgay scored twice as Sheffield Wednesday beat Plymouth 3-1 in the west country.

Richard Wood (33) headed the Owls in front before Tudgay's penalty made it 2-0. Alan Gow (80) pulled one back before Tudgay wrapped it up in added time.

Fan favourite Adel Taarabt scored the only goal of the game just three minutes in as QPR edged a tight encounter away to Scunthorpe 1-0.

Alan Tate's header deep into injury-time secured Swansea a welcome 1-1 draw at home to Watford. The Hornets had lead through Danny Graham's effort in the 66th minute.

PA Sport