Birmingham 2-2 Sheffield Wednesday

Demarai Gray’s 99th-minute equaliser preserved Birmingham City’s long unbeaten home run and denied troubled Sheffield Wednesday victory.

The Owls, whose players found out ahead of the game that they would not be paid on time once again this month, had bounced back from a goal down to lead deep in added time against a Blues side which has now not been beaten in the league at St Andrew’s for 29 games.

Jay Stansfield’s sharp finish looked like making that a formality as the home side dominated, but a triple defensive error handed Jamal Lowe an equaliser.

Teenage striker George Brown scored his second goal in three games to seemingly earn Wednesday a remarkable win, until late Birmingham pressure ended with Gray rifling the ball through a crowded box and in off the underside of the bar.

Wednesday’s players will now have been paid late five times in the past seven months amid ongoing financial problems at Hillsborough and the travelling fans might have feared a dip in morale from their team.

But the Owls seem to let every setback galvanise them, and even though they were dominated in the first half they hung in with a performance of real grit.

It seemed like Birmingham’s unbeaten home league run, which stretched back to April of last year, would certainly carry on as Stansfield snapped up a goal just nine minutes in.

The striker won a 50-50 challenge with defender Harry Amass and when the ball ballooned into the air he half-volleyed it crisply beyond Ethan Horvath to open the scoring.

The home side looked comfortable but a sequence of mistakes cost them an equaliser.

Eiran Cashin, in for the suspended Jack Robinson, gave the ball away in midfield and after Svante Ingelsson lobbed it hopefully towards Lowe, Cashin compounded his error by failing to cut it out despite being first to the ball.

To make matters worse, Lowe’s shot lacked conviction but goalkeeper Ryan Allsop’s weak attempt to save allowed it to drop into the net.

Horvath pulled off a fine save from Stansfield as Birmingham sought to restore their lead but with 14 minutes remaining Barry Bannan provided a moment of quality.

Booed by home fans for his Aston Villa past, Bannan delivered a delightful free kick into the box and 19-year-old Brown – promoted to the first team this season amid a summertime exodus of players – sweetly volleyed home to give Wednesday the lead.

The visitors fought valiantly to defend the lead, with Ernie Weaver producing a heroic block to deny Gray, whilst Allsop left his goal to join the attack at set-pieces as Birmingham attacked relentlessly.

With the indicated eight minutes of added time already up, it seemed Wednesday were set for three points but when the ball fell to Gray again, he hammered a rising drive which crashed in off the underside of the bar.

Blackburn 1-2 Swansea

Blackburn Rovers’ home struggles continued as Goncalo Franco’s sparkling volley and a cool Liam Cullen finish saw Swansea City come from behind to win at Ewood Park.

Rovers gave themselves hope of a first victory on their ground this season when Todd Cantwell headed Valerien Ismael’s team in front.

The goal came via their one genuine chance in the first half, as Ryan Alebiosu’s deflected cross looped on to the head of Cantwell and his effort bounced through Ben Cabango’s legs and into the net.

Swansea might have levelled when Cameron Burgess headed narrowly wide, and the equaliser came just before the break when a patient passing move ended with Josh Tymon picking out Franco at the far post.

The Portuguese midfielder finished in style, crashing the ball back across goal and into the far corner.

Cantwell was denied a second goal by Vigouroux as Blackburn upped the tempo early in the second period, before Alan Sheehan changed his entire forward line and was rewarded when two of hos four attacking substitutes combined to put Swansea in front.

After Augustus Kargbo’s loose touch, Adam Idah drove down the right before rolling the ball across the edge of the area for Cullen to guide in his first goal of the season.

Blackburn asked questions of Swansea late on, with Yuki Ohashi’s looping header forcing another save from Vigouroux before Cantwell’s appeals for a penalty – after Burgess’ sliding challenge – were turned down.

Cantwell, the Blackburn captain, and Ismael were both booked for complaining about the decision as frustration reigned for the hosts.

Bristol City 1-1 Ipswich

Jack Clarke scored his third goal in four games as Ipswich Town fought back to earn a point against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Despite having the lion’s share of first-half possession, the visitors fell behind to centre-back Rob Atkinson’s header from a corner.

They were awarded a penalty soon after the break, though, when Chuba Akpom was tripped and Clarke made no mistake with his second successful spot-kick of the season, driven down the middle.

Ipswich’s previous road trip to Blackburn ended with the game being abandoned 10 minutes from time because of heavy rain, but there were no such issues this time and they almost won it late on but sub George Hirst’s header was just too high.

Robins boss Gerhard Struber brought in George Tanner and transfer-window signing Neto Borges, with captain Jason Knight out for a number of weeks because of a groin injury.

Ipswich made six changes to the team that beat Portsmouth on Saturday, with goalscorers Jaden Philogene and Hirst among those dropped to the bench.

Ivan Azon and Marcelino Nunez were given first starts for the Tractor Boys and the latter, who started the game with one white boot and one black before switching to pair of blue ones in the second half, was prominent in the early stages, making himself available to receive the ball at every opportunity and showing a good range of passing.

Clarke was crowded out as he dribbled into the area looking for space to shoot, but it was City who took the lead, though, as Ipswich failed to deal with Anis Mehmeti’s corner and Atkinson headed past keeper Alex Palmer from point-blank range.

Relying on a patient passing game, Ipswich did not have the forward tempo to seriously disturb the Robins, often finding themselves confronted by two walls of four in front of the home area, and a slick counter-attack created a chance at the other end for Borges, who blazed over when he should have hit the target.

In a first half disrupted by knocks requiring treatment, City again showed their aerial threat as Rob Dickie’s long throw was flicked on at the near post, but Ross McCrorie directed his header straight at the keeper.

Ipswich wasted no time in drawing level after the break as McCrorie tripped Chuba Akpom as he surged into the box and Clarke calmly fired past Radek Vitek.

Buoyed by the goal, Ipswich showed greater urgency in the opposition half with Leif Davis dangerous on the left-hand side, but he was shown a yellow card for hauling down Mark Sykes as the home side tried to break.

Kieran McKenna made five substitutions, with Nunez and the ineffective Azon two of those withdrawn, but the Robins almost regained the lead as the lively Mehmeti played Sinclair Armstrong through, only for Palmer to race off his line and smother.

Having conceded from a corner, Ipswich almost won it from one when Hirst was left unmarked, but he could not keep his header down and they have now only won once in 14 away games across last season and the current campaign.

Bristol City stay fourth in the table despite a third game without a victory and will be at home to QPR on Saturday, with 13th-placed Ipswich hosting Norwich City in the East Anglia derby at lunchtime on Sunday.

Hull City 2-2 Preston

Oli McBurnie continued his rich vein of scoring form with a second-half double as Hull City stormed back from 2-0 down to rescue a point against Preston.

The Tigers’ leaky defence conceded twice inside the opening 10 minutes, with Thierry Small and Michael Smith both scoring their first goals in a North End shirt.

Preston dominated the first half, but the home side improved dramatically after the break and McBurnie quickly converted Ryan Giles’ cross to reduce the deficit.

The same combination then brought the Tigers level as McBurnie grabbed his fifth goal in four games – and his sixth overall this season.

It took North End only three minutes to breach the home defence as they struggled to deal with a corner and Small pounced on Lewie Coyle’s unconvincing header, turning his marker and arrowing a low drive into the net.

Hull looked sluggish, with numerous passes going astray and they gifted another shooting opportunity to Lewis Gibson, whose half-volley from the edge of the box was comfortably saved by Ivor Pandur.

But the goalkeeper’s weak clearance soon afterwards was easily cut out by Ben Whiteman, who quickly set up Smith and, under minimal pressure, the striker clipped his finish into the net.

The situation might have deteriorated further for the Tigers as Andrija Vukcevic’s drive was deflected behind and they offered little in response for the rest of the first half – prompting Sergej Jakirovic into a triple change at the break.

That appeared to galvanise Hull, who halved the deficit within three minutes of the restart as Giles slid a low cross from the left to McBurnie, who controlled the ball and rammed it into the net.

Two of the new arrivals, Liam Millar and Joe Gelhardt – whose free-kick was clawed over the bar by Daniel Iversen – both went close as the Tigers pushed for an equaliser, although Alfie Devine could have made it 3-1, spearing over from close range.

But Hull continued to threaten along the left-hand side and Millar’s incisive pass released Giles in behind the visitors’ defence, firing the ball into the box for McBurnie to scramble home.

Both sides could have snatched a late victory, with Pandur denying Jordan Storey from close range before Iversen leapt to his right to push John Lundstram’s thunderous drive behind in added time.

Leicester 1-1 Wrexham

Record Wrexham signing Nathan Broadhead helped Phil Parkinson’s side come from behind to take a point at King Power Stadium and extend Leicester’s winless run to four games.

The Foxes looked as though they were heading for their first victory in a month after Wales midfielder Jordan James’ first-half goal put the hosts on top.

But, after three successive draws for the Foxes, Wrexham capitalised on Leicester anxiety and lack of cutting edge as Broadhead pounced with 13 minutes remaining.

It was the Wales forward’s first Championship goal since making a £7.5m move from Ipswich Town in the summer transfer window.

And it was the 27-year-old’s introduction from the bench after the hour mark that helped Phil Parkinson’s side asked questions of the hosts who had dominated possession without creating chances.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid had struck the post in a fast-paced opening, while Wrexham wondered if they would rue missing their own early chance; Lewis O’Brien should have done better when an under-hit back pass from Hamza Choudry gave him a clear sight of goal on 17 minutes.

But while wingback Issa Kabore provided plenty of Wrexham threat, Leicester’s domination of the ball told when James’ one-two with the recalled Patson Daka allowed him to burst behind.

His side-footed finish was the climax of a 13-pass move that began with goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk and involved nine Leicester players.

With the hosts’ unable to press home their advantage, Wrexham’s second-half changes helped increase the nerves among the home supporters at the King Power.

And it told when O’Brien pressurised Victor Kristiansen into a mistake on the byline and centred for Broadhead to sweep home.

Broadhead went close to winning it late on, a result that prompted boos from some of the home fans.

Middlesbrough 0-0 Stoke

Championship leaders Middlesbrough dropped points for a second successive game as they were held to a goalless draw by high-flying Stoke City.

Boro are now eight games unbeaten and this result followed on from a draw at Southampton on Saturday, but their advantage at the top remains four points.

It was also a second consecutive draw for Stoke, who climb up to second.

Boro were the better side in the first period with only sharp work from Sweden goalkeeper Viktor Johansson preventing them from going ahead.

However, the Potters improved and shaded an exciting second half but Slovakia striker Robert Bozenik wasted a great chance to secure all three points for his side.

Rob Edwards had rejigged his side for this one, switching from three central defenders to a flat back four and he was changing again after less than five minutes.

Centre-half George Edmundson went down injured and was replaced by Sammy Silvera, with the Australia international coming on at right-back and Luke Ayling moved across into the middle.

But the home side shrugged off the disruption and would gone in front but for two fine saves by Johansson to deny Hayden Hackney and then David Strelec.

However, the most controversial moment of the half involved Boro’s Tommy Conway and Stoke midfielder Ben Pearson.

Conway led an attack down the right and cut back into the area on the inside of Pearson, who dangled a leg. The forward went down and with the Riverside expecting to see referee David Webb point to the penalty spot, the official insisted awarded a free-kick to the visitors and booked Conway for diving.

Boro were furious and Scotland forward Conway continued his protests as the players went off at half-time.

After only winning one of their previous four games, Potters boss Mark Robins had changed half his outfield players before the game and he made two substitutions at the interval

They were immediately better with the dangerous Sorba Thomas’ curler kept out by Sol Brynn, although Aidan Morris should have scored at the other end but shot over from 12 yards after midfield partner Hackney picked him out.

The best chance, though, fell to Bozenik, as he was picked out inside the area, but he swept it wide of the far post in what turned out to be his final touch.

The two goalkeepers made other saves towards the end as the two sides chased a winner which never came, although the result continues their fine starts to the campaign.

Sheffield United 1-2 Southampton

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder was sent off for kicking the ball into the stand and hitting a fan as his side lost to Southampton to make it seven Championship defeats in their first eight games.

Wilder was dismissed by referee Adam Herczeg for booting the ball into the crowd while leaving the field for half-time, moments after Saints were awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time.

Although Adam Armstrong skied the spot-kick, Ross Stewart scored twice in seven second-half minutes to cancel out Tyrese Campbell’s fine opener for the Blades, who had a last-minute header from Sydie Peck ruled out.

Sheffield United have now lost all four matches at Bramall Lane this season, their worst start at home since 1954.

But the talking point will be Wilder’s dismissal.

He immediately went to the supporter to apologise, who did not appear to be injured, but Herczeg showed him the red card as he returned to the touchline.

It had started so well for the Blades when Campbell received the ball from Gus Hamer, sidestepped Joshua Quarshie before scoring left-footed from a narrow angle on the right.

However, in the third minute of first-half stoppage time Stewart duelled with Michael Cooper and won a penalty for a challenge by the Blades goalkeeper.

The awarding of the spot-kick looked soft and the home fans felt justice was done when Armstrong skied the penalty as he attempted to find the top right corner.

After the break, with Wilder no longer in the dugout, Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy thwarted Callum O’Hare in a key moment before Stewart levelled for the visitors in the 51st minute.

Armstrong’s header came off the bar and Stewart kept his cool to slot home underneath Cooper.

Stewart then earned Southampton manager Will Still his first league win since the opening day when he turned inside and let fly from 25 yards out just before the hour.

United thought they had levelled in the final minute when Peck headed home Hamer’s corner, only for Herczeg to rule the effort out for a foul.

Derby 1-1 Charlton

Centre-back Matt Clarke’s first goal of the season earned a point for Derby County at home to Charlton Athletic.

James Bree’s sublime first-half strike gave the visitors the lead on 37 minutes at the end of a flowing move by the Addicks.

The Rams had appeals for a penalty waved away inside the opening minute but Thomas Kaminski in the Charlton goal was largely untested until late in the game.

The Addicks keeper pulled off a strong save to deny Bobby Clark before defender Clarke rose highest to head in moments later following the corner.

Greg Docherty and Lars-Jorgen Salvesen had late chances as both sides pushed for the winner but the game ended with the points shared.

The result leaves Charlton eighth in the table, with Derby a point clear of the relegation zone in 20th.