Boxing Day - Championship round-up

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY scored for the first time since NOVEMBER to hold runaway leaders Newcastle.

The Magpies fell behind in the 14th minute to Luke Varney's header — Wednesday's first goal since November 7.


A Kevin Nolan header and a goal from Shola Ameobi had United in front halfway through the first term.


But James O'Connor snatched a point for the Owls in the 59th minute when he made it 2-2 from six yards.


Cardiff missed the chance to make up ground on the leaders in a dramatic 1-0 defeat at home to Plymouth.


Gary Sawyer's goal decided the game in the 84th minute.


Nottingham Forest had to settle for a goalless draw at Watford, their ninth draw on the road this season.


Crystal Palace came from behind to beat 10-man Ipswich 3-1 at Selhurst Park.


Jaime Peters put Town ahead in the 19th minute, but Jose Fonte levelled in the 38th minute.


Jonathan Stead was given a straight red card a minute later for a late challenge on Freddie Sears.


Neil Danns put the Eagles ahead in the 58th minute and Victor Moses sealed the points in added time.


QPR ran out 2-1 winners over Bristol City thanks to goals from Jay Simpson (31) and Mikele Leigertwood (40), with Nicky Maynard (57) replying for City.


Preston's match against Barnsley at Deepdale was called off because areas around the ground were deemed unsafe.


Gordon Strachan finally tasted his first home win in charge of Middlesbrough as they brushed aside 10-man Scunthorpe 3-0.


The visitors were always up against it from the moment Cliff Byrne was sent off for bringing down Jeremie Aliadiere in the area.


Adam Johnson slotted home from the spot to give Boro an 11th-minute lead.


Rhys Williams added a second in the 45th minute and Aliadiere a third a minute after the break.


But the match ended on a sour note for Boro as Leroy Lita was shown a straight red card for foul and abusive language in the 89th minute.

West Brom closed the gap on Newcastle as Luke Moore's 61st-minute goal set them on their way to a 2-0 home win over Peterborough.


Ryan Bennett's own goal in the 67th minute resigned Posh to the foot of the table.


Swansea were held to a 1-1 draw at Reading, Gylfi Sigurdsson's free-kick on the stroke of half-time cancelling out Darren Pratley's opener for the Swans.


Jake Buxton's 38th-minute own goal and a Brett Ormerod strike (79) earned play-off hopefuls Blackpool a 2-0 win at Derby, who ended the match with 10 men following Dean Moxey's 85th-minute red card.

Clinton Morrison converted an 85th-minute penalty to give Coventry a 1-0 win at home to Doncaster.