West Ham United held on to top spot in the Championship after a 1-1 draw with Southampton, while Cardiff City moved into third.
Sam Allardyce's West Ham played most of the top-of-the-table encounter with 10 men, but maintained their one-point advantage at the summit with the draw.
In a chaotic few minutes, Matt Taylor was sent off following a clash with Billy Sharp, which came after the hosts were awarded a penalty at Upton Park.
Captain Mark Noble stepped up and converted the 21st-minute spot-kick, but Southampton equalised in the second half when Dutchman Jos Hooiveld scored in the 75th minute.
Meanwhile, Cardiff City moved to within three points of second-placed Southampton with a 3-1 win at home over Peterborough United.
Midfielder Peter Whittingham scored directly from a corner, Rudy Gestede netted a header and teenager Haris Vuckic, on loan from Newcastle United, was also on the scoresheet as the Welsh side took a three-goal lead into the break.
Striker Paul Taylor struck a stoppage-time consolation for the visitors as promotion contenders Cardiff ended a three-game winless run.
Coventry City moved off the bottom as Gary McSheffrey's two penalties led them to a surprise 2-1 win over Leeds United.
Birmingham City extended their unbeaten league run to 10 matches after a lacklustre 0-0 draw at home to Hull City, while Gary Taylor-Fletcher's brace helped Blackpool move into fourth courtesy of a 3-1 win at lowly Doncaster Rovers.
Strugglers Bristol City salvaged a point as Brett Pitman's late double saw them secure a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace, while Noel Hunt hit the winner in Reading's 1-0 victory at Derby County.
Middlesbrough held on with 10 men to secure their first league win of 2012 with a 2-1 victory at home against Nottingham Forest, while Craig Forsyth's 80th-minute goal saw Watford to a 3-2 win against Leicester City.
Elsewhere, Brighton and Hove Albion remain unbeaten this year after a 2-2 draw at home to Millwall, Michael Chopra scored the winner in Ipswich Town's 1-0 win at Portsmouth and Burnley overcame Barnsley 2-0.
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B. Myhill | |
| 3 | D. Murphy | |
| 23 | J. Spector | |
| 2 | S. Carr | |
| 24 | C. Davies | |
| 4 | S. Caldwell |
 70'
|
| 7 | C. Burke | |
| 18 | K. Fahey | |
| 15 |
W. Elliott
|
|
| 12 | J. Mutch | |
| 9 | M. King | |
| Coach: C. Hughton | ||
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | V. Mannone | |
| 2 | L. Rosenior | |
| 3 | A. Dawson | |
| 6 | J. Hobbs | |
| 5 | J. Chester | |
| 8 | C. Evans | |
| 10 | R. Koren | |
| 4 | P. McKenna | |
| 17 |
R. Brady
|
|
| 12 | M. Fryatt | |
| 9 | A. Mclean | |
| Coach: N. Barmby | ||
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 22 |
for W. Elliott 78' |
|
| 5 | ||
| 13 | ||
| 14 | ||
| 17 |
| # | Player | Bookings |
|---|---|---|
| 7 |
for R. Brady 63' |
|
| 19 | ||
| 27 | ||
| 30 | ||
| 36 |
