Steffen Iversen winner lifts gloom at Crystal Palace

Burley was responsible for bringing the former Tottenham striker to Selhurst Park, but he was sacked following the 3-0 defeat to local rivals Millwall on New Year's Day with Palace second from bottom in the npower Championship.

Dougie Freedman was left to take charge against fellow strugglers Preston and he was given an ideal start in the battle of the managerless clubs.

"Steffen was brilliant today," Freedman said. "I knew he would tire, but he's a leader and had to start. He was fantastic for us."

Steven Caulker's late equaliser saw Bristol City earn a 2-2 draw at QPR to deny the league leaders the chance to open up a seven-point gap at the top.

Brett Pitman had fired City into a 50th-minute lead but a goal from Alejandro Faurlin and Adel Taarabt's penalty had looked set to give Neil Warnock's men all three points.

However, Caulker tapped home Jamal Campbell-Ryce's cross to deny them in injury-time and maintain City's recent improvement - they have lost just three of their last 14 games.

Norwich are QPR's nearest challengers after their 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough moved them above Swansea into the second automatic promotion place, on goal difference. Captain Grant Holt's sixth goal in six games had put the visitors ahead, but Russell Martin inadvertently turned a Julio Arca pass into his own net as Tony Mowbray's side earned a valuable point to edge them further clear of the relegation spots.

Swansea dropped to third as they were beaten 2-1 by Leicester at The Walkers Stadium. Bruno Berner gave Sven-Goran Eriksson's side - without Sol Bamba after he failed to secure international clearance following his move from Hibs - the perfect start with a sixth-minute opener before Scott Sinclair levelled for Swansea. However, Darius Vassell grabbed a 43rd-minute winner for the Foxes.

Sheffield United remain just above the relegation places after coming from 2-0 down to earn a draw at home to Doncaster. A brace from Billy Sharp looked to have put Rovers on their way to victory, but Daniel Bogdanovic and Rob Kozluk struck in the final four minutes to earn a draw for caretaker boss Micky Adams.

Hull extended their unbeaten away run to eight games with a 3-2 win at Portsmouth. Jimmy Bullard put them ahead from the spot before Liam Lawrence struck a penalty of his own to level matters.Matty Fryatt's debut goal and a strike from Nicky Barmby put the visitors 3-1 up, meaning Greg Halford's goal was not enough for Pompey.

Matthew Whichelow's late winner gave Watford a 2-1 win against Scunthorpe at Glanford Park in a game hampered by floodlight problems during the second half.

Nottingham Forest moved to the brink of the play-off places as a Damien Delaney own goal gave them victory at Ipswich.

Shane Long grabbed a brace for Reading as they leapfrogged Burnley with a 2-1 win at the Madejski Stadium after Ross Wallace had given the visitors the lead.

Goran Lovre's strike gave Barnsley a 2-1 win over Coventry, while the game between Derby and Millwall at Pride Park finished goalless.