Championship round-up: Craig Cathcart pops up for Watford as Tom Ince helps Derby in thrilling draw

Steve McClaren on the touchline during Derby's victory last night (Getty Images)

Promotion from a tough division like the Championship can sometimes come down to a moment of inspiration.

Craig Cathcart came up with one for Watford to sink Birmingham 1-0 and send his side to the top of the table. Watford failed to break down the Blues until the 11th minute of the second half when Troy Deeney found substitute Ikechi Anya, who had only just come on.

The Scot floated the ball in from the left and Cathcart leapt to score with a stunning acrobatic volley.

With Bournemouth held at home by Sheffield Wednesday that was enough for the Hornets to go top. Slavisa Jokanovic, Watford’s coach, said: “This competition is very tough and complicated and we found the same today but after we scored the goal we had more control.”

Ince snatches point for Derby in goal fest

Tom Ince scored two brilliant goals for Derby with his father, Paul, the former England and Manchester United midfielder watching, as his side twice came from behind to share the points in a thrilling 4-4 draw at Huddersfield.

Derby, chasing a play-off place, were 1-0 up, 3-1 down and 4-3 behind in an amazing game in which Huddersfield had three goals ruled out. Ince buried a stunning 25-yard drive after 16 minutes and added a second in the 79th minute.

Ipswich’s ‘horrible bunch’ battle to draw

Mick McCarthy hailed the “belligerent, stubborn and hard working” qualities of his “horrible bunch” of Ipswich players after a 1-1 draw at his former club Wolves kept Town in the play-off places.

Wolves hit back to take a point through Benik Afobe’s 31st goal of the season in the 50th minute after a Richard Stearman own goal had given Ipswich a first-half lead.

Akins double secures promotion for Burton

Burton secured promotion to League One after Lucas Akins scored both goals in their 2-1 win at Morecambe. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side are up because third-placed Wycombe, who have played a game more than the Brewers, cannot catch them.