BAGGIES AND FOREST KEEP PACE

[Gizmo]

Simon Cox's second-half volley was enough to keep West Brom in the Coca-Cola Championship automatic promotion places with a 1-0 win at Plymouth.

The former Swindon forward fired home from close range, meaning Graham Dorrans' late failure to convert a penalty did not prove crucial.

Dexter Blackstock bagged a double as Nottingham Forest remain third in the table after a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday at the City Ground.

Blackstock opened the scoring with a 24th-minute penalty after Darren Purse had handled in the area.

Luke Varney levelled for Wednesday but Blackstock struck again with 10 minutes remaining.

David Cotterill scored one goal and created another as Swansea defeated Preston 2-0 in the early kick-off at the Liberty Stadium to keep their bid for a play-off place on track.

The Swans' club-record signing curled home a fine first-half free-kick and crossed for Ashley Williams to head home a second goal after the break in a one-sided encounter.

Daryl Murphy marked his Ipswich debut in sensational fashion by scoring in the opening minute of their clash with Middlesbrough.

Murphy struck after just 23 seconds having being set up by fellow debutant David Healy, who also arrived on loan from Sunderland on transfer deadline day, but David Wheater's goal saw the game end 1-1.

Aaron Mclean's ninth-minute strike gave Peterborough a 1-0 win over nine-man QPR in Jim Gannon's first game in charge as the visitors had Mikele Leigertwood and Peter Ramage dismissed in the second half.

Lee Williamson's last-minute equaliser saw Sheffield United secure a 1-1 draw against Derby at Bramall Lane.

Former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage had fired the Rams ahead after 17 minutes but Williamson struck late to deny Nigel Clough's side the points.

Neil Danns struck a late winner as financially-troubled Crystal Palace beat Scunthorpe at Glanford Park.

Darren Ambrose had drilled the Eagles ahead after 63 minutes but David Mirfin's header looked set to have secured a share of the points for Nigel Adkins' side, only for Danns to fire home in stoppage time.

Emil Halfredsson's goal was enough to give Barnsley a valuable home win over Watford despite having Ryan Shotton dismissed for a bad challenge on Lloyd Doyley.

Leicester kept themselves firmly in the play-off picture with a 2-1 win at Blackpool.

Danny N'Guessan fired the Foxes ahead and Lloyd Dyer doubled the lead, meaning Stephen Dobbie's late goal was not enough for the Seasiders.

The day's other 3pm kick-off saw Bristol City draw 1-1 with Coventry at Ashton Gate.

David Bell fired the visitors ahead just after the interval but David Clarkson's late tap-in earned the Robins a share of the spoils.

Reading secured back-to-back victories for the first time this season with a 2-1 win at Doncaster.

Goals in either half from Shane Long and the recalled Brian Howard gave the Royals a deserved win, although they remain in the relegation zone one point from safety.

sporting life

[Smoggie_Dave]

Said it some one the other day, and i'm sure i'm repeating meself on here lol, but think Newcastle should be watchin out over the backs. Have a little side bet Forest will win league. To date, the best football side in this division bar none. Billy Davies has them playing. They demolished West Brom and did beat Newcastle down there.

[Marko]

I'm more than happy to let Forest win the league. I'm not arsed in the slightest. As long as we go up then it's a successful season.

[Gizmo]

But are Forest ready to go up or was that mind games by Davies earlier this season?
Not sure if they could compete if they did go up where as Newcastle will know what it takes and hopefully have the finances in place to get the players they need.