WATFORD were the major winners in the Coca-Cola Championship - and they did not even have a match.

Defeat for Sheffield United at Norwich and a draw for Leeds at Coventry was more than the fourth-placed Hornets could have hoped for in a weekend of inactivity.

Second-placed Sheffield United did nothing to dispel accusations of a crisis of confidence despite Chris Armstrong giving them a 17th-minute lead at Carrow Road.

Leon McKenzie equalised in the 33rd minute and on the stroke of half-time Robert Earnshaw grabbed what turned out to be the winner.

Leeds salvaged a draw thanks to David Healy's 88th-minute penalty after Gary McSheffrey's 26th-minute strike put Coventry ahead.

The results meant Leeds closed the gap on second-placed Sheffield United to four points with a match in hand, while Watford remain six behind the Blades - also with a match in hand on Neil Warnock's side.

Leaders Reading were held to a 1-1 draw by Wolves at the Madejski Stadium but still extended their lead to 16 points.

Bobby Convey's 23rd-minute goal was cancelled out by Kenny Miller's effort midway through the second half.

Effort

Crystal Palace remain in the play-off places after twice being pegged back in the 2-2 draw at home to Ipswich.

Aki Riihilahti (10) and Clinton Morrison (53) saw their efforts cancelled out by a Tom Soares own goal (30) and Ricardo Fuller (67).

Preston's play-off ambitions were dented by a surprise 2-0 defeat at struggling Sheffield Wednesday, for whom Deon Burton (38) and Burton O'Brien (51) scored.

Eighth-placed Cardiff moved closer to the top six with a 1-0 victory at Plymouth courtesy of Steven Thompson's 34th-minute goal.

Crewe's problems worsened at the bottom after their 1-0 defeat at Hull - defeated by Stuart Green's 16th-minute effort - but Brighton salvaged a point as Marcus Bignot's 80th-minute own goal made it 1-1 against 10-man QPR.

The hosts led through Gareth Ainsworth (13) but had Kevin Gallen sent off five minutes after half-time.

Steve Howard's 72nd-minute goal gave Luton a 1-0 win over Derby with Leicester beating Millwall by the same score, Stephen Hughes netting the decider in the 31st minute.

On-loan Blackburn striker Paul Gallagher eased Stoke's worries slightly with the 52nd-minute winner against Burnley.

The Potters last night told director of football John Rudge and assistant manager Jan De Koning to stay away from the club after a falling-out with boss Johan Boskamp.

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