Dickov makes sure Foxes put Wolves to flight

Paul Dickov scored the only goal of the tense Midlands derby at the Walkers Stadium to earn Leicester City a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and maintain their 100 per cent home record. The Foxes, second in the Nationwide First Division, went ahead after only six minutes. Lee Naylor's lunging tackle brought down Dickov, who jumped up quickly enough to stroke in the penalty.

Wolves, who have now won just once in six games, hit back strongly, forcing Ian Walker into a series of smart saves, Nathan Blake being the striker most often thwarted. Dave Jones's side pressed for an equaliser in the second half and a second yellow card for Muzzy Izzet left Leicester a man short for the final 23 minutes. But they held on.

Third-placed Norwich City, who beat leaders Portsmouth last week, kept up with the pace by beating Preston North End 2-1 at Deepdale. Ten minutes before the break, David Nielsen, in for the injured Iwan Roberts, collected Paul McVeigh's pass and scored from the edge of the penalty area. Richard Cresswell levelled in the 52nd minute but two minutes later McVeigh fired in the Canaries' winner.

Nottingham Forest jumped from seventh to fourth with a thrilling 3-2 win over Rotherham United at the City Ground. David Johnson scored twice to take his total to 12 for the season as Forest raced into 3-0 lead. But Richie Barker pulled a goal back for the Millers a minute before half-time, and when Darren Byfield's seventh goal of the season made it 3-2 with 31 minutes remaining a memorable recovery looked probable. But Forest stood firm.

Watford's players agreed to a 12 per cent pay cut last week, despite which they were all put up for sale. They reacted by beating Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in a match that turned on the 35th-minute sending-off of the Blades' Phil Jagielka after he brought down Heidar Helguson when the Yorkshire side led 1-0 through Wayne Allison's 10th-minute effort. Neil Cox converted the penalty and two minutes later Helguson put the Hornets ahead. Watford's Micah Hyde was sent off to make it 10-a-side, but there were only three minutes remaining.

The bottom two met at the Withdean Stadium, where Brighton welcomed back Bobby Zamora after injury and he scored the equaliser that cancelled out Darren Barnard's second-minute opener for Grimsby Town. The next goal was crucial and Alan Pouton, who had had one disallowed, got it to lift the Mariners off the bottom. Brighton have lost nine consecutive games and Martin Hinshelwood's stewardship is likely to end if a 10th game is goes the same way.

Elsewhere, Burnley are shrugging off their sluggish start. Glenn Little scored the only goal of the game against Wimbledon at Turf Moor to ease them further away from the bottom three. But that's where Sheffield Wednesday are after their 1-0 defeat at Walsall, Fitzroy Simpson scoring on the verge of half-time. Stoke City and Reading drew 1-1 at the Madejski Stadium.

In the Second Division, the leaders, Cardiff, overcame a tricky examination when two late Robert Earnshaw goals beat Crewe 2-1 at Ninian Park. Queen's Park Rangers beat Colchester 2-0 to stay second. Three sides head the Third Division on 21 points with the leaders, Hartlepool, still top despite losing 2-1 at home to Rushden & Diamonds.

The new leaders of the Nationwide Conference are Yeovil, who won 4-2 at Leigh RMI, taking full advantage of the stalemate in the section's top match, a 0-0 draw between former leaders Chester City at Doncaster Rovers.