Sheffield United hands incentive to Leeds
Sheffield United opened the door for Leeds United and Burnley to take advantage at the top of the EFL Championship after being held to a 1-1 draw by West Bromwich Albion.
Chris Wilder's side moved back to the top of the table with the result at Bramall Lane, but its one-point lead was eradicated when Leeds beat Derby County later in the day.
United started well as Andre Brooks capped a sweeping move with a fine left-footed opener after 23 minutes, but Karlan Grant equalised on the stroke of half-time with a well-placed effort of his own.
Rhian Brewster blazed over a late chance for the winner as the frustrated hosts, who are just two points clear of third-placed Burnley, were left to rue a missed opportunity in their final game of the year.
Preston North End further allayed relegation fears as Emil Riis's double in a 3-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Deepdale saw it shoot up to 13th in the league.
Riis bundled home from point-blank range after Jack Whatmough's cushioned header back across goal, before Josh Windass levelled after the interval with a pinpoint curling strike into the bottom-right corner.
However, Dominic Iorfa's ill-timed challenge on Josh Bowler saw Sam Greenwood restore Preston's lead from the penalty spot, before Riis' second from close range secured back-to-back wins for Preston at home.
In the day's other early kick-off, Norwich City salvaged a late point as Marcelino Nunez crashed in an 89th-minute equaliser at Carrow Road, snatching a 1-1 draw with a battling Queens Park Rangers team.
Ante Crnac's own goal on the stroke of the half-time whistle seemed to have QPR on course for an unlikely away win, only for Marti Cifuentes' side to be undone by a last-gasp piece of brilliance.
Norwich worked it well towards the right of the area before substitute Onel Hernandez offloaded for Nunez, who arrowed a right-footed finish into the bottom-left corner past the despairing dive of Paul Nardi.
The draw leaves Norwich 10th on the table, four points and seven places clear of QPR.