Stuttering WBA indebted to Dichio as Claridge inspires Millwall win

West Bromwich, in third place in the First Division, threw away two precious points in a 1-1 home draw with mid-table Watford last night – and it could have been worse.

Daniele Dichio was the Baggies' saviour again as he salvaged a point at The Hawthorns. The on-loan defender Wayne Brown had given Watford the lead seven minutes after the interval, firing the ball home from 20 yards following a Stephen Glass free-kick. But the former Sunderland striker Dichio equalised in the 77th minute when he headed home a cross by Neil Clement.

Fourth-placed Millwall are now just three points behind Albion with a game in hand. The veteran Steve Claridge was their match-winner with two goals in a 2-1 home win over Preston, for whom David Healy was on target for North End.

Marcelo hit a 52nd-minute goal for relegation-threatened Walsall, who grabbed a crucial 1-0 win at the Bescot stadium to damage Burnley's play-off hopes. Norwich, also pursuing a play-off place, were held to a 0-0 draw by Rotherham United at Carrow Road.

Carlton Palmer's Stockport County claimed only their third win in the league this season thanks to Luke Beckett's goal against Bradford City.

The Second Division leaders Reading suffered from the jitters at the Madejski stadium and needed a late Andy Hughes strike to rescue a point from a 2-2 draw with relegation-threatened Bournemouth.

Jamie Cureton put the Royals in front early on but James Hayter and Derek Holmes scored for the Cherries after the interval before Hughes levelled with 10 minutes left.

Brighton, five points behind Reading with a game in hand, thrashed Wycombe 4-0 with two goals from Bobby Zamora.

In the Third, Plymouth are still eight points clear of Luton after a 1-0 win over York at Home Park. Luton were easy 3-0 victors versus Leyton Orient at Kenilworth Road.