Championship round up

Birmingham climbed to the Coca-Cola Championship summit with a 3-0 win over Plymouth at St Andrews.

Nicklas Bendtner set the Blues on their way with his 10th goal of the campaign in the 21st minute and centre-back Matthew Upson added a second on the half hour after Stephen Clemence's effort was cleared off the goal-line.

Gary McSheffrey made sure of the points when his deflected effort beat Luke McCormick with four minutes to go to half-time.

Cardiff drew level on points with Preston after a goalless draw at home to Colchester, while North End stayed second even though they suffered a shock loss at Luton, who ended a run of seven straight league defeats by beating Paul Simpson's side 2-0.

The Hatters were ahead in the second minute through Rowan Vine and Carlos Edwards added a second goal in the 19th minute.

Derby stayed fourth despite their run of six straight league wins coming to an end at West Brom, who won thanks to John Hartson's 89th-minute goal at The Hawthorns.

Southampton moved up two places to fifth with a 4-2 win at Hull.

Goals from Grzegorz Rasiak (19) and Gareth Bale (25) put Saints in command but the Yorkshire side scored twice in the final two minutes of the first half through Nick Barmby and Craig Fagan.

Rasiak's 13th goal of the season made it 3-2 and Bradley Wright-Phillips added a fourth eight minutes from time.

Alan Lee's 90th-minute penalty earned Ipswich a point against Burnley, who slipped to sixth. Kyle Lafferty had put the Clarets ahead in the 86th minute.

Struggling Yorkshire sides Leeds and Barnsley drew 2-2 at Elland Road. Daniel Nardiello twice put the Tykes ahead but loan signings Tresor Kandol and Ugo Ehiogu hit back for the hosts, who remain in the bottom three.

Sheffield Wednesday were impressive 4-1 winners at Leicester thanks to a double from Chris Brunt and further goals from Glenn Whelan and Marcus Tudgay.

Stephen Hughes (57) fired the Foxes' only goal after Paddy McCarthy had been sent off for the hosts.

Bottom side Southend lost 1-0 at home to Wolves, who moved up four places to ninth thanks to Jody Craddock's 61st-minute goal.

Stoke drew 0-0 at Coventry, while Sunderland moved up a place to 13th with a 1-0 home win over Norwich, Daryl Murphy scoring the only goal of the game.

The London derby between Crystal Palace and QPR at Selhurst Park ended in a 3-0 win for the hosts.

Dougie Freedman (13) put the Eagles in front and Shefki Kuqi added a second (32) from Freedman's pass.

Clinton Morrison made sure of the win four minutes from time.