League round-up: Danns double lifts the mood as Palace change their focus

Alan Irvine saw his Sheffield Wednesday side return to winning ways against Plymouth (getty images)

Neil Danns brought Crystal Palace's traumatic week to a happier conclusion, scoring both goals in their 2-0 Championship defeat of Peterborough at Selhurst Park. Neil Warnock's side adjusted to going from play-off contenders to relegation scrappers after their fall into administration and the 10-point penalty which dumped them from ninth to 21st when Danns's overhead kick after 28 minutes and slick 65th-minute finish earned a deserved win. Warnock revealed that his coveted striker Victor Moses will soon be a Premier League player, departing for £2.5 million, but described some of the offers the club have had for their young stars as "disgusting, pathetic".

"I'm aware of a couple of derisory offers," Warnock said. "The administrator has to be careful, because whoever buys the club – and there are a few interested – they're not going to want it decimated for a few pieces of silver."

Plymouth Argyle, also struggling in the bottom three, led at Sheffield Wednesday but two Luke Varney goals saw the Owls return to winning ways under Alan Irvine, 2-1. "We need seven more wins to make sure we're in this division next season," Irvine said. "I'll take seven more horrible ones like that if I have to." Reading, who confirmed Brian McDermott as manager in midweek, won for the first time under the former caretaker boss, Shane Long's goal accounting for Barnsley 1-0.

At the top, leaders Newcastle United drew 0-0 at Leicester City, who had Richie Wellens sent off after his second yellow card on 30 minutes. A Graham Dorrans penalty set third-placed West Bromwich Albion on their way to a 3-1 defeat of Sheffield United, Roman Bednar and Jerome Thomas also scoring. Albion's manager, Roberto Di Matteo, said he expected to sell and sign a few players: "I'd like to freshen up a little bit," he said.

In fourth place, Cardiff City followed their midweek six-goal rout of Bristol City by taking an early lead against visitors Doncaster Rovers, Michael Chopra firing in his 16th goal of the season. Rovers' Gareth Roberts equalised, but Jay Bothroyd's late goal won it 2-1.

The Robins, meanwhile, looked more solid at Middlesbrough, drawing 0-0 to ease the pressure on manager Gary Johnson. Boro's Barry Robson was sent off after 33 minutes.

Blackpool were also reduced to 10 men, Brett Ormerod seeing red at Coventry City after 53 minutes. Barry Bannan put Pool ahead 16 minutes later, but an Alex Baptiste own goal gave the hosts a point.

Neill Collins and Danny Welbeck, on loan from Manchester United, scored as Preston North End beat Ipswich Town 2-0, their second win under Darren Ferguson, but Queens Park Rangers lost 1-0 at home to Scunthorpe, Garry Thompson on target.

League One

Norwich City stay top thanks to a 2-1 defeat of Hartlepool at Carrow Road, while Jermaine Beckford took his season's total to 24 after his two goals eased second-placed Leeds United to a 2-0 win over Colchester, who stay fourth. Millwall move into the top six after a 1-0 win at Brighton.

Scottish Premier

Leaders Rangers beat bottom club Falkirk 3-0 at Ibrox, while substitute Morten Duncan Rasmussen's 67th-minute shot on the turn secured second-placed Celtic a 1-0 win at Ham-ilton. But the match of the day was at Rugby Park, where after 33 minutes Kilmarnock trailed visitors Dundee United 3-1. Killie led 4-3 31 minutes later, but had to settle for a 4-4 draw.