League round-up: Cox steers Albion closer to top but Forest keep up pace

(pa)

Simon Cox's crisp shot just after the hour from Roman Bednar's knock down saw West Bromwich Albion beat Plymouth Argyle 1-0 at Home Park to close the gap on Championship leaders Newcastle United to three points. On an boggy surface, Graham Dorrans might have made Albion's win more comfortable, but David Stockdale saved his penalty kick. The Albion striker Jerome Thomas was sent off in time added on after a nasty tackle. Argyle stay in the bottom three.

Dexter Blackstock took his season's goal tally to 11 after scoring twice as Nottingham Forest, third, beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at the City Ground.

David Cotterill was the architect of fifth-placed Swansea City's 2-0 home win over Preston North End, firing in a 35th-minute free-kick and crossing for Ashley Williams to head the second. "A complete performance," the Swans manager, Paulo Sousa, said, "but perhaps we could score a few more goals."

Sheffield United needed a controversial equaliser to draw 1-1 with visiting Derby County. The Rams manager, Nigel Clough, was trying to get on substitute Russell Anderson but was ignored as Lee Williamson scored. The Blades were replaced in the top six by Leicester City who won 2-1 at Blackpool, Dany N'Guessan and Lloyd Dyer scoring.

Daryl Murphy joined Ipswich Town on loan from Sunderland and made his presence felt by scoring after 23 seconds at Portman Road. It being Ipswich, Middlesbrough levelled and it finished 1-1, a 15th draw of the season for Roy Keane's side. "This was a typical Championship game," he said. "Both teams had chances, it finished 1-1 and we all go home. Boring." It was also 1-1 between Bristol City and Coventry at Ashton Gate, while Darren Ambrose's 15th goal of the season and Neil Danns' injury time winner saw Crystal Palace eat further into their 10-point deduction with a 2-1 win at Scunthorpe, who had Marcus Williams sent off. Barnsley beat Watford 1-0 at Oakwell despite Ryan Shotton's red card.

League One

None of the top three won. Neil Harris's 13th goal of the season saw Millwall beat the leaders Norwich City 2-1 to go fifth, third-placed Charlton Athletic's captain Nicky Bailey scored a late equaliser at Swindon Town, who slip to sixth after the 1-1 draw, and the Leeds United striker Luciano Becchio scored twice in a 2-2 draw at Hartlepool United.

League Two

The leaders Rochdale beat Crewe 2-0, Bournemouth drew 0-0 with Cheltenham, and Bury won 1-0 at Bradford City to strengthen their grip on the automatic promotion places.

Scottish Cup

Few surprises in the Fifth Round. Aberdeen needed Gary McDonald's late goal to earn a replay from a 1-1 draw at First Division Raith, while Ross County, also of the First, thrashed Second Division Stirling Albion 9-0.