WOLVES' lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship was reduced to three points as Mick McCarthy's men suffered a 1-0 defeat at QPR, while their rivals Birmingham defeated struggling Watford 3-2.

Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey made several good saves in a goalless first half but he was beaten by a 63rd-minute effort from Martin Rowlands.

Birmingham stay four points above third-placed Reading after their narrow win at St Andrews.

Tamas Priskin gave the visitors a shock lead after only seven minutes but Kevin Phillips equalised immediately and Marcus Bent's long-ranger put the hosts ahead (18).

Substitute Cameron Jerome made it 3-1 (85) but Ross Jenkins made it a nervous last few minutes with the visitors' second (89).

Reading triumphed in adversity to beat Barnsley 1-0 at Oakwell. The match was delayed after the Royals' coach broke down and they had Jimmy Kebe sent off.

However, they grabbed the only goal through Brynjar Gunnarsson.

Burnley ended a brilliant week on a high with a 3-2 victory over fellow promotion-chasers Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Martin Paterson put the visitors ahead after 19 minutes and James Beattie equalised with a penalty 36). Another spot-kick, this time from Graham Alexander (42), saw Burnley lead at the break.

Eagles put Owen Coyle's side further ahead (79) but there was still time for Stephen Quinn to reduce the deficit (87).

Cardiff moved up to fifth place thanks to a 2-0 victory over Preston.

Roger Johnson broke the deadlock with a header three minutes before half-time. Jay Bothroyd hit the post in the second half and earned a penalty, which Michael Chopra converted (76). Crystal Palace moved to within two points of the play-off places with a 2-1 win over Derby at Pride Park.

The visitors took the lead after only three minutes through defender Paddy McCarthy, but Derby were level four minutes before half-time thanks to Luke Varney's header.

Shefki Kuqi won the game for the visitors just after the hour mark.

Charlton fell to the foot of the table after Liam Dickinson scored twice (47, 56) in a 2-0 win for Blackpool at Bloomfield Road. The Addicks dropped below Nottingham Forest after they twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at Coventry.

Doncaster recorded their third home win of the season to move up to 22nd, Brian Stock's brilliant 35-yard strike earning them a 1-0 win over Plymouth.

Sheffield Wednesday's Marcus Tudgay equalised three minutes from time to deny Southampton after Bradley Wright-Phillips (14) had put them ahead in the 1-1 draw.

Norwich enjoyed a long-awaited win in the East Anglian derby yesterday, beating Ipswich 2-0 thanks to goals from Lee Croft and Matty Pattison.