Callum Robinson's first club goal for over three months helped a Covid-19-hit West Brom to a hugely deserved 1-0 win against struggling Reading at The Hawthorns.
Robinson, whose last Baggies goal was on 18 August 18, netted just after the hour after the home side missed a hatful of chances – with the former Preston forward the most guilty party.
The forward, who has been in fine scoring form for the Republic of Ireland, missed three good chances before scoring the winner, which lifted West Brom to within three points of second-placed Bournemouth.
The Cherries lost 2-0 to promotion rivals Blackburn as Jan Paul Van Hecke scored his first goal for Rovers.
Van Hecke headed home midway through the second half to add to Ben Pearson's first-half own goal and lift Tony Mowbray’s men up to fourth in the table.
The defeat stretches Bournemouth’s winless run to five games.
Republic of Ireland midfielder Alan Browne was also on target today as Ryan Lowe's first game in charge of Preston ended in a 2-1 victory after Daniel Johnson scored a late winner to sink struggling Barnsley.
Home captain Browne put Preston ahead and Tykes skipper Cauley Woodrow brought his team level before Johnson grabbed the winner.
Leaders Fulham were held to a 1-1 draw at Luton. Aleksandar Mitrovic’s 22nd goal of the season opened the scoring for the Cottagers but Elijah Adebayo levelled things up just after the hour mark and the points were shared.
Nottingham Forest stretched their unbeaten run to eight league games as manager Steve Cooper celebrated a 4-1 victory over former club Swansea.
All the goals came in an action-packed second half as Philip Zinckernagel and Lewis Grabban put Forest into a two-goal lead before Joel Piroe gave Swansea hope.
But the outstanding Brennan Johnson profited from Ben Hamer’s goalkeeping howler and substitute Cafu struck deep in stoppage time to wrap up the points.
Luke Plange scored his first senior goal to give depleted Derby a 1-0 win over Blackpool at Pride Park, while Stoke and Middlesbrough contested a goalless stalemate.
It was also 2-1 at London Road where Peterborough came from behind to defeat Millwall, who had led through Tom Bradshaw’s 16th-minute strike. A Danny McNamara own goal and an effort from substitute Jonson Clarke-Harris turned the game on its head.
Matt Godden’s injury-time header rescued a point for Coventry as Huddersfield had to settle for a 1-1 draw, having taken an early lead courtesy of Danny Ward’s opening goal.
Matty James’ stoppage-time equaliser salvaged a point for Bristol City in a 2-2 draw at Hull, who had twice led in the match with goals from Ryan Longman and George Honeyman. Antoine Semenyo netted the Robins’ first equaliser before James struck late on.
It was also 2-2 at St Andrew’s where Cardiff came from two goals down to snatch a point. Troy Deeney and Ivan Sunjic scored first-half goals for Birmingham but Kieffer Moore and Mark McGuinness, who headed home in injury time, replied for the Bluebirds.
