League round-up: Cole keeps Hammers on the rise

West Ham United came from behind to beat Derby County 3-1 at Upton Park and move to within two points of Championship leaders Southampton.

The Rams had taken the lead just after the half-hour through Hungarian striker Tamas Priskin in his first match on loan from Ipswich Town. But a Carlton Cole header levelled just before the break and a fine Kevin Nolan volley after 64 minutes soon followed by a Mark Noble penalty after Frederic Piquionne was pushed wrapped up the win.

Substitute Joe Mason's late header saw third-placed Cardiff City beat obdurate Nottingham Forest 1-0 to maintain pursuit of an automatic promotion berth.

"Young Joe has been very patient and at times hasn't deserved to be out of the team," Cardiff manager Malky Mackay said. "He's young, he's learning and he has great potential. His header was sublime."

But Middlesbrough, fourth, were held 1-1 at Peterborough United when Paul Taylor's curling shot cancelled out Matt Bates' 54th-minute header for Boro.

Leeds United's charge was halted in the Yorkshire derby with Barnsley at Elland Road, Ricardo Vaz Te and Craig Davies scoring in the Tykes' 2-1 win as they held on despite the late sending-off of David Perkins. "One of my highlights," Keith Hill, the Barnsley manager, said. "To come to Elland Road and win in the way we did; it's up there."

Injury-time recoveries at the KC Stadium and Portman Road saw visitors steal the points. At the former, Hull City led Burnley 2-0 until the 78th minute when David Edgar scored the first of his two goals to give the Clarets hope. After his second, Jay Rodriguez's 93rd-minute effort earned Eddie Howe's side a 3-2 win. Reading left it even later at Ipswich Town, who led 2-1 at 90 minutes. Goals by Alex Pearce (91st minute) and Noel Hunt (93rd) gave the Royals a 3-2 win.

Leicester City drew 1-1 at Portsmouth, while Blackpool and Birmingham City drew 2-2 by the sea. At the bottom, Coventry lost 2-1 at Brighton while the only side beneath them, Doncaster, drew 0-0 at home to Watford.

League One

Sheffield Wednesday moved into the top two, Reda Johnson's goal being enough to beat Leyton Orient 1-0 at Hillsborough.

League Two

Leaders Southend United, held 1-1 at home by Bristol Rovers, were joined on 42 points by second-placed Crawley Town, who won 2-1 at Rotherham.