Republic of Ireland defender Jimmy Dunne rescued a point to keep QPR in the hunt for the play-offs with a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth in the Sky Bet Championship.
Terry Devlin had put John Mousinho's side ahead on the stroke of half-time but Rangers deservedly equalised through Dunne’s header after an improved second-half showing.
The Dundalk-born defender headed home from Nicolas Madsen's corner on the hour mark, coincidentally his second goal at Fratton Park in successive seasons.
Leaders Coventry stretched their lead at the top to eight points following a hard-fought 1-0 win over Swansea.
Ephron Mason-Clark's emphatic finish just before half-time was enough to give the Sky Blues a ninth home Championship win of the season.
Stan Mills scored a brilliant individual winning goal a minute from time to give managerless Oxford a 2-1 victory over Southampton at the Kassam Stadium.
Three Republic of Ireland internationals started for the Saints - currently 12th in the table - Gavin Bazunu, Ryan Manning and Finn Azaz, the latter blazing over the crossbar from nine yards in the first half and then teeing up a late chance for Adam Armstrong but Oxford keeper Jamie Cumming pulled off a superb save.
High-flying Hull missed the chance to go third after twice coming from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw away to rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday.
Wednesday, who took step closer to a takeover on Christmas Eve when a consortium led by James Bord was named as the preferred bidder by administrators, initially led through Svante Ingelsson before Mohamed Belloumi claimed City's first equaliser.
Matt Crooks earned the Tigers a point at Hillsborough with a 65th-minute leveller after Bailey Cadamarteri - son of former Everton player, Danny - had restored the Owls' advantage.
Iman Louza played a starring role with two assists as Watford came from behind to win 2-1 at Leicester and claim back-to-back victories for the first time this season.
Watford skipper Louza crossed for Mattie Pollock to head the winner in the 65th minute, after teeing up Othmane Maamma for the away side's leveller on the stroke of half-time.
Jordan James had fired Leicester into the lead in the seventh minute with a deflected effort from Jordan Ayew's pass but the Foxes were unable to find an equaliser once Watford went ahead.
Top-six hopefuls Millwall and Ipswich played out a goalless draw in the lunchtime clash at The Den, captain Dara O'Shea at the heart of the visitors' defence as they secured a clean sheet.
First-half goals from Anis Mehmeti and Ross McCrorie helped Bristol City climb into the play-off zone with a 2-1 victory over West Brom at The Hawthorns.
Ousmane Diakite headed home Mikey Johston's corner with five minutes remaining but otherwise, Albion struggled to create chances.
Jack Robinson rescued a point for Birmingham in a bad-tempered 1-1 draw against Derby which saw both teams finish with 10 men.
The veteran defender netted his first goal for the club from close range in the 64th minute to cancel out Patrick Agyemang's first-half header.
Middlesbrough's festive stutter continued as they were held to a goalless draw by Blackburn at the Riverside.
The Teessiders suffered their first defeat under new head coach Kim Hellberg as they lost 2-0 at Bristol City in their final game before Christmas, while they were unable to find the net again as they were frustrated by a resolute Blackburn rearguard.
Jovon Makama maintained his hot streak in front of goal as Norwich beat Charlton 1-0 at Carrow Road to give their bid to move clear of the relegation zone another boost.
Preston extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven matches following a 0-0 draw away at Stoke.
