Championship round-up

Brighton 0 Derby County 0

A second home win still eludes Mark McGhee's side after this dismal draw. Derby had the best chance to score when Gary Hart hauled down Marc Edworthy in the penalty area. But Inigo Idiakez's tame penalty was saved by Alan Blayney in the Brighton goal. "[Goalkeeping coach] John Keeley had tipped me off before the game that Idiakez had previously hit two penalties down the middle and one to the right," Blayney revealed, "so we acted on this and it worked out in giving us an important point." Indeed, the Seagulls almost snatched the win when substitute Jake Robinson's 35-yard shot bounced back off the crossbar with eight minutes remaining.

Burnley 3 Crewe Alexandra 0

The Railwaymen do not travel well this season and John Spicer took full advantage, scoring twice for Burnley. But it was the winger Nathan Dyer, on a second month's loan from Southampton, who caused Crewe most problems. "I'd like to take him for the rest of the season," Steve Cotterill, the Burnley manager, admitted after Dyer scored the Clarets' third.

Coventry City 2 Norwich City 2

Goals by Gary McSheffrey and Dele Adebola, his seventh of the season, in the first 10 minutes put Coventry on top. "After that we dominated the game and played some good football," Nigel Worthington, the Norwich manager, said. Indeed, five minutes before half-time Calum Davenport scored; six minutes from time Craig Fleming levelled.

Luton Town 2 Crystal Palace 0

The Hatters completed the double over Palace - they won 2-1 at Selhurst Park in August - thanks to Markus Heikkinen's first goal for Luton, a header, and a solo Rowan Vine effort, breaking in from the right. The win keeps Luton fifth. "Our worst performance of the season," Palace manager Iain Dowie raged. "Luton were the better side from start to finish."

Plymouth Argyle 0 Reading 2

Reading opened up a four-point lead at the top with this hard-earned win. Glen Little scored a glorious chip from the edge of the box. "A terrific individual goal among a scrappy first 45 minutes," Steve Coppell, the Royals' manager, said, "it shone out like a beacon." Bobby Convey and Leroy Lita set up Kevin Doyle who netted the second.

Preston NE 1 Watford 1

Third-placed Watford, with only one defeat away from home all season, went ahead after 11 minutes, Matt Spring shooting in from 20 yards. The lead lasted three minutes until David Nugent headed down Graham Alexander's cross and Callum Davidson rifled in. The rest of the match was fairly forgettable, although Danny Dichio should have won it for North End with a late header from six yards. But he is in Peter Crouch mode for his new side and cannot break his duck. His effort flew wide. "For the tacticians out there it was a good game," David Kelly, Preston's assistant manager, said. "But I wouldn't have thought, if you were paying 20 quid to watch it, it was that good." North End are unbeaten in 10 matches.

QPR 2 Hull 2

The Tigers led with two headers in 10 minutes, either side of half-time, by Ryan France and Billy Paynter. QPR's Gareth Ainsworth replied with two goals of his own, also in a 10-minute burst. Hull's goalkeeper, Boaz Myhill, was sent off as the Tigers hung on for a point. "We were like the Dog and Duck in the first half and Real Madrid in the second," Ian Holloway, Rangers' bemused boss, said.

Sheffield Wed 0 Stoke City 2

Stoke's record signing, Sambegou Bangoura, beat the Owls' offside trap to score his fifth goal in four games. "He doesn't need a lot [of chances]. If you give him space, he scores," Johan Boskamp, the Potters manager, said. The second-half substitute, Mamady Sidibe, wrapped up Stoke's win with four minutes left. It was frustrating for the Owls, who had looked the better side in the first half.