Teenage substitute Giles Barnes stunned leaders Cardiff with a spectacular volley in the dying seconds to earn Derby a 2-2 draw at Ninian Park. Earlier, Steve Howards header had cancelled out Glenn Loovens early strike, before Michael Chopra looked to sealed a win for the Bluebirds with a goal in the 74th minute.
Rams coach Julian Darby said, "Im over the moon for Barnesy. Hes a young lad with a bit of everything. Hes got bags of talent. We knew the game was going to be tough and we needed a bit of luck. Cardiff deserve to be top of the league because theyre a very good team.'
Birmingham got their promotion bid back on track with a 2-0 win against neighbours West Brom. Gary McSheffrey grabbed both goals for the home side and manager Steve Bruce paid tribute to his players battling display.
"After the Norwich game our world came crashing down and we needed a response – and by God we have had it. The commitment, energy and effort was fantastic. The disappointing thing was that there was only 21,000 here but people do have to pay a lot of money,' said Bruce.
Dennis Wise was saluted by the Elland Road crowd after steering struggling Leeds to their first win in six matches following a 2-0 victory against Southend. Ian Moore and Robbie Blake were on target for the Yorkshire outfit and Wise said he was pleased with the reaction of the supporters.
"It was nice of them to give me a clap and a song. They want us to do well and so do we. It will take time but everyone wants this to work. And from the reaction Ive had from the players, Im sure it will' he said.
Plymouth are up to the lofty heights of fifth place after Nick Chadwicks goal gave the Pilgrims maximum points at Crystal Palace, and it was the same 1-0 scoreline at Oakwell, where Coventry beat Barnsley thanks to 84th minute strike from Wayne Andrews.
Peter Grant blasted his Norwich players after they crashed to a humiliating 5-0 defeat at Stoke.
"This is a reality check. It would be an understatement to say I was seething at half time. We prepared for the game in the right way but the players didnt do their jobs and didnt understand their jobs, which is very disappointing' said Grant.
Improving Colchester climbed into the top half of the table after a 2-0 win against Southampton at Layer Road. Kevin McLeod marked his first start for the Us with the opening goal in the third minute, before Jamie Curetons sixth of the season made it five home wins on the bounce for Geriant Williams men.
Williams said, "At the start of the season we were playing well and not getting the points and perhaps here we got a little more than we deserved. But all credit to my players. From the first whistle we go out to win games and its nice to get an early reward.'
In the remaining matches, a Martin Rowlands penalty earned QPR a point a home to Leicester and the honours also ended even at Molineux, where a brace from Leon Clarke enabled helped Wolves to a 2-2 draw against Sheffield Wednesday.
Ross Wallace scored a dramatic late winner to give Sunderland a 1-0 victory at Hull, but the Scotland U-21 international was then sent off by referee Richard Beeby for stripping his shirt off while celebrating into front of the visiting fans and receiving a second yellow card.
On Wallaces dismissal, Black Cats manager Roy Keane said, "Im disappointed with his sending off because hes done it before. When you get a first booking early you set your self up for a possible red card later. And than means we all suffer.'
In the only game played yesterday, Ipswich bounced back to form with a resounding 5-0 win against Luton at Kenilworth Road, with Alan Lee grabbing a second half hat-trick for the Tractor Boys.
