Birmingham became the latest team at the top to slip up after Sheffield United won 2-1 at Bramall Lane.
Blades move up to fifth by blunting Blues' promotion hopes
Birmingham City became the latest team at the top to slip up after Sheffield United won 2-1 at Bramall Lane.
It was a massive result for United, who are now just six points off an automatic promotion spot themselves after Sunday's home victory.
Striker Danny Webber gave the Blades the lead in the 44th minute, before United captain Chris Morgan put the ball in his own net with 26 minutes to go.
But the Blades would not be denied as midfielder David Cotterill sealed the three points by converting a dubiously-awarded penalty in the 83rd minute.
Both teams came into the game with two of the meanest defences, but a lack of goals up top so there was little hope a high-scoring thriller.
Injury
City defender Liam Ridgewell felt a twinge in his thigh after training on Friday so Frank Queudrue slotted in at centre-back, while striker Darius Henderson returned to the Blades' starting line-up after serving a four-match ban.
Birmingham came into the game knowing a victory would take them level on points with leaders Wolves, but once again a shortage of goals was their downfall in the first half.
Ahead of the trip to South Yorkshire, Blues boss Alex McLeish urged his strikers to step up to the plate in the absence of the injured Kevin Phillips.
And Marcus Bent almost put them in front just seven minutes in, after Hameur Bouazza fizzed a dangerous free-kick into the box.
City continued to dominate until United hit back in the 34th minute, when Stephen Carr cleared off the line from Henderson's header, before Blues keeper Maik Taylor held onto Webber's follow-up.
Offside
But the Blades front two teamed up to give United the lead when they broke through on the stoke of half-time with a controversial opener.
Henderson, who looked offside on second view, found Webber with a cushioned header after Gary Naysmith was given time and space to put a cross into the box and the former Manchester United striker lashed the ball home.
Cameron Jerome and Gary McSheffrey came on for Birmingham in the second half and both played a part as the Blues looked to have rescued a vital point towards their promotion push.
McSheffrey, who came on to make his first appearance since September, found full-back David Murphy who whipped in a first time cross which Morgan put into his own net after sliding in to keep Jerome at bay.
But the game took another twist when official Lee Mason bravely handed United a penalty for a push by Carr on substitute Craig Beattie.
And Cotterill made no mistake by sending Taylor the wrong way to regain the Blades' advantage and seal the three points.
