Championship round up: Lawrence's treble keeps Stoke in touch with leaders

Stoke City went into third place yesterday after snatching a 3-3 draw at Barnsley, with Liam Lawrence scoring a hat-trick. Lawrence twice got the visitors back on level terms following goals from Brian Howard and Jon Macken, but Macken's second five minutes from time appeared to have settled a pulsating game. 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.

Crystal Palace extended their unbeaten run to 11 games under Neil Warnock with victory at Coventry. 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 an hour. Substitute Paul Ifill added a second late on.

Charlton remain fifth after holding out for a point at improving Norwich despite being a man down for an hour. Charlton took an early lead through Zheng Zhi but were forced on to the back foot after Sam Sodje's dismissal for a terrible challenge on Darel Russell after 30 minutes. Russell headed an equaliser 17 minutes from time.

Ten-man Blackpool fought back to take 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.

Plymouth climbed into the play-off places with a late winner against Queen's Park Rangers which sent the visitors back into the relegation zone. Gareth Ainsworth put QPR in front but Sylvain Ebanks-Blake scored a penalty and snatched the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Play-off hopefuls Wolverhampton Wanderers were beaten 2-0 at Hull City, with goals from Richard Garcia and Fraizer Campbell. Clive Platt hit 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. 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 at Turf Moor.