Crystal Palace failed to close the gap on the Coca-Cola Championship top six when they were thumped 4-1 at Selhurst Park by Ipswich.
Home keeper Julian Speroni misjudged Owen Garvan's shot as the visitors took the lead halfway through the first half and David Norris then smashed the ball into the net to put the Tractor Boys 2-0 ahead.
Alan Lee quickly pulled one back for Palace which was initially disallowed before consultation between the referee and his assistant saw the decision overturned.
Kevin Lisbie hit a shot which Speroni got a hand to but could not keep out and Clint Hill's headed own goal saw Town claim an emphatic win.
In the big match at the other end of the table Doncaster claimed a vital 2-1 win at Southampton which sees them leapfrog their hosts, and remain in the relegation zone only on a goal difference deficit to Watford.
Nottingham Forest pulled further away from the drop zone when they beat Plymouth 2-0 in Billy Davies' first home game in charge.
However, Nigel Clough did not have the same joy on his debut as Derby boss when QPR won 2-0 at Pride Park thanks to goals by Wayne Routledge and Mikele Leigertwood, both in the first half.
Marcus Tudgay claimed a double and Francis Jeffers scored his first goal in more than a year as Sheffield Wednesday crushed Charlton - who are seemingly headed for relegation - 4-1.
Coventry came from behind to beat Blackpool 2-1 at the Ricoh Arena. DJ Campbell put the visitors ahead with his first goal for the club before Guillaume Beuzelin and Michael Mifsud sealed victory for the hosts.
Norwich sealed a vital 4-0 victory over Barnsley in the week that saw manager Glenn Roeder sacked.
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