League round-up: Cesar conquers Albion jitters as pursuers slip up

Rowan Vine gives fellow striker Patrick Agyemang a pat after his opening goal for QPR (PA)

On a day when many of the Championship's top teams met, leaders West Bromwich Albion seized their opportunity at the Hawthorns, a 2-1 win over Burnley opening up a two-point gap. The Clarets led after three minutes. Robbie Blake's free-kick was headed on and James O'Connor scored. Tony Mowbray's side stirred before the half-hour, defender Bostjan Cesar levelling from close range, his first goal since joining on loan from Marseille in the summer. On the hour, Roman Bednar forced in the winner.

"We gave them a goal start, as we seem to do most weeks, but fortunately we had enough to get the three points," Mowbray said, reserving special praise for Bednar, who is on loan from Hearts with a full move likely in the summer.

On paper, Bristol City and Charlton Athletic, fifth, had the easiest tasks but both lost away to relegation strugglers. Patrick Agyemang scored twice as Gary Johnson's Robins lost 3-0 at Queen's Park Rangers, the west London side's fourth consecutive home win. Their manager, Luigi De Canio, had chosen the starting line-up then left for Italy, where his father had died. Meanwhile Charlton lost 1-0 at Scunthorpe United, Martin Paterson scoring. The home side had Andy Butler sent off, but held on.

Bristol's setback meant Watford reclaimed second spot after they avenged last week's FA Cup defeat against Wolves, Tommy Smith scoring twice in the Hornets' 3-0 win, their first at home since October.

Stoke City beat Cardiff City 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium to stay fourth. The Potters led from the 39th minute through a Roger Johnson own goal. It was 2-0 early in the second half when Kevin McNaughton brought down Ricardo Fuller and the striker scored the penalty. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink pulled a goal back six minutes later, but Stoke's defence stood firm thereafter.

At the 15th attempt, Ipswich Town won away this season, Alan Quinn and Alan Lee on target in the 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday. Ipswich go sixth.

Crystal Palace and Southampton drew 1-1 at Selhurst Park. Jamie Scowcroft gave Palace the lead, but Stern John grabbed Saints' late equaliser. "They were pretty but we had the better chances," Palace manager Neil Warnock said.

"I'm absolutely fuming," Leicester manager Ian Holloway admitted after new Blackpool signing Paul Dickov scored in the 90th-minute to earn Pool a 2-1 win over the Foxes.

Leon Best scored twice and created two as Coventry City thrashed Barnsley 4-0. Dean Windass's 11th of the season saw Hull City win 1-0 at Plymouth, Darel Russell scored in extra time as Norwich City beat Preston 1-0, and Colchester United drew 2-2 with Sheffield United.

In League One, Gary McAllister's return to management, with Leeds United, got off to a poor start with a 2-0 home defeat by Tranmere Rovers. At the top, Swansea City beat Oldham Athletic 2-1 and lead by 10 points.

Mark Wright scored a hat-trick as League Two pacemakers Milton Keynes Dons thrashed Bury 5-1 and lead by eight points.