A tense afternoon saw the teams targeting the Premiership and hoping to retain their Championship status make little headway with their respective aims and objectives.
The match of the day took place at the Madejski Stadium where a sell out crowd of 23, 724 saw Watford return to Hertfordshire with a hard earned point, thanks in the main to a sterling defensive performance by Aidy Boothroyd’s men in a goalless draw at Reading.
Leeds United failed to win at home for the first time in seven attempts, and needed a late Eddie Lewis scorcher to secure a share of the spoils with Norwich City at Elland Road. 
Rob Hulse netted for the second week running with his 12th goal of the season to give the Tykes a first half lead, but efforts by Andy Hughes and Paul McVeigh had the Canaries ahead in the closing stages and seemingly on course for all three points, until Lewis’ 90th minute free-kick sent the home faithful delirious.
Preston North End were another of the clubs with Premiership aspirations to drop points in a drab goalless affair at the soulless Withdean Stadium, home of goal shy Brighton & Hove Albion, whose perilous position towards the foot of the table has not been helped by the fact they have now scored just twice in their last eight matches.
Sheffield Wednesday failed to distance themselves from the bottom three after being held at home by Queens Park Rangers. Much traveled Dean Burton hooked the Owls ahead in the 13th minute, but Marc Bircham equalised for the Hoops just before the break, and despite constant pressure from the home side in the second half, Paul Sturrock’s team were unable to fashion a winner thanks in the main to a fine goalkeeping display by Rangers’ veteran goalie, Paul Jones.
An 85th minute Dave Livermore header salvaged a point for Dave Tuttle’s improving Millwall at Ipswich Town, this after the Lions had trailed for a long time to Own Garvan’s opener for the Suffolk men with his third goal of the campaign.
A late Luke Rodgers strike for Dario’s Gradi bottom placed Crewe Alexandra at home to Southampton did little to convince the doubters that they have enough to mount a late rally against the drop, as it only ensured parity following Peter Madsen’s first goal for the Saints just after the hour mark.
The Midlands enjoyed a profitable afternoon as Coventry City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Derby County and Leicester City all recorded meritorious victories. 
Micky Adams’ Coventry City saw off Sheffield United at the Ricoh Arena thanks to first half efforts by Gary McSheffrey and Dele Adebola.
The Sky Blues have now won five home matches on the spin, but for the Blades, who have found victories increasingly elusive in recent weeks, the gap to third placed Leeds United is now down to five points for Neil Warnock’s wobblers and Kevin Blackwell’s side also still have a game in hand.
Glen Hoddle’s Wolves moved back into the top six at Preston North End’s expense courtesy of goals in either half by Denes Rosa and a Kenny Miller penalty in a two goal Molineux success over Cardiff City. However, the clash will be remembered for crowd trouble perpetrated by the visiting Welsh supporters which delayed the resumption of the second half by fifteen minutes.
Derby County banished any remaining relegation fears by putting three past an out of form Burnley without reply.
The Rams’ display, described “as good as I’ve seen us in my time in charge, and in my four years at the club” by manager Terry Westley came courtesy of first half goals by Tommy Smith, Inigo Idiakez and Darren Moore whilst the reversal was the Clarets’ fifth on the bounce.
Leicester City also continued their renaissance under Rob Kelly at Luton Town. Matt Fryatt put the Foxes ahead in the first half and although Steve Howard leveled for the Hatters, it was not enough to prevent Kelly winning for a fifth time in eight matches since taking charge as substitute, Chris O’Grady fired in a decider with two minutes remaining.
In the day’s remaining game Craig Fagan’s early second half goal saw Peter Taylor’s Hull City maintain daylight in front of the division’s bottom four at the expense of Plymouth Argyle at the KC Stadium.