Strachan: Waiting for a win
Newcastle and West Brom continue to set the pace at the top of the Championship table, while Gordon Strachan is still waiting for a win as Middlesbrough manager.
High-flying Blackpool picked up three points, Nottingham Forest and Bristol City drew, Plymouth's mini revival continued, while Reading and Ipswich could not be separated.
Queens Park Rangers climbed to fourth position and Watford sunk Preston at Vicarage Road.
Chris Hughton's Newcastle continue to appear set for an immediate return to the Premier League as they recorded a 3-1 win over Peterborough, who slipped to the bottom of the table.
Jonas Gutierrez, Andy Carroll and Danny Simpson scored the goals in front of supporters who were protesting against the recent decision to re-name St James' Park, while Dean Keates netted a consolation.
West Brom remain hot on the heels of Newcastle as they also demonstrated their promotion credentials with a 2-1 victory at in-form Leicester City.
The top two have now opened breathing space over the chasing pack after third-placed Cardiff lost an enthralling Welsh derby 3-2 at Swansea in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.
Strachan lost his first match in charge of Middlesbrough last week and he suffered another setback as Crystal Palace recorded a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park, with Darren Ambrose scoring the only goal of the game.
Blackpool remain the surprise package as they defeated Scunthorpe 4-1 at Bloomfield Road, with the visitors reduced to 10 men after goalkeeper Joe Murphy was sent off for deliberate handball shortly after the hour mark.
Bristol City slipped out of the play-off positions despite grabbing a late 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Plymouth ruined Strachan's first outing last week and they climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win over Doncaster, who had Martin Woods dismissed for two bookings.
Reading remain without a home win as they drew 1-1 with Ipswich at the Madejski Stadium to join Roy Keane's struggling side in the bottom three.
Queens Park Rangers maintained their solid season under Jim Magilton with a 2-1 victory at Sheffield Wednesday as Kaspars Gorkss scored a late winner.
Watford defeated Preston 2-0 at Vicarage Road as Heidar Helguson and Tom Cleverly scored the goals in the first half.

Championship round up - 16th March
Newcastle 3-0 Scunthorpe - Highlights
Millen sad to see Johnson go
Johnson leaves Bristol City
Newcastle 3-0 Scunthorpe - Managers
Preston 2-2 Sheff Wed - Highlights
Sheff Utd 3-0 Blackpool - Highlights
Reading 1-0 QPR - Highlights
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 20th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Blackpool vs Crystal Palace |
| 15:00 | Doncaster vs Sheff Utd |
| 15:00 | Ipswich vs Barnsley |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Reading |
| 15:00 | Nottm Forest vs Peterborough |
| 15:00 | QPR vs Swansea |
| 15:00 | Scunthorpe vs Plymouth |
| 15:00 | Sheff Wed vs Derby |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs Preston |
| 17:20 | Bristol City vs Newcastle |
| Sunday 21st March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 14:00 | Leicester vs Coventry |
| 15:00 | Cardiff vs Watford |
| Tuesday 23rd March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Blackpool vs Swansea |
| 19:45 | Bristol City vs Barnsley |
| 19:45 | Doncaster vs Newcastle |
| 19:45 | Ipswich vs Plymouth |
| 19:45 | Nottm Forest vs Crystal Palace |
| 19:45 | Scunthorpe vs Peterborough |
| 20:00 | Middlesbrough vs Preston |
| 20:00 | QPR vs Derby |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 17th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 3 - 0 Scunthorpe | |
| Tuesday 16th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Peterborough 1 - 2 Doncaster | |
| Derby 2 - 2 Middlesbrough | |
| Swansea 0 - 2 West Brom | |
| Coventry 1 - 2 Cardiff | |
| Barnsley 2 - 1 Nottm Forest | |
| Reading 1 - 0 QPR | |
| Crystal Palace 0 - 1 Leicester | |
| Sheff Utd 3 - 0 Blackpool | |
| Plymouth 3 - 2 Bristol City | |
| Watford 2 - 1 Ipswich | |
| Preston 2 - 2 Sheff Wed | |
| Saturday 13th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Barnsley 0 - 0 Crystal Palace | |
| Sheff Utd 1 - 1 QPR | |
| Doncaster 2 - 1 Derby | |
| Swansea 0 - 0 Sheff Wed | |
| Watford 0 - 1 Peterborough | |
| Middlesbrough 2 - 2 Newcastle | |
| Reading 2 - 0 Bristol City | |
| Ipswich 1 - 0 Scunthorpe | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newcastle United | 36 | 76 |
| 2 | West Bromwich Albion | 37 | 72 |
| 3 | Nottingham Forest | 37 | 64 |
| 4 | Leicester City | 36 | 60 |
| 5 | Swansea City | 37 | 60 |
| 6 | Cardiff City | 36 | 55 |
| 7 | Sheffield United | 37 | 52 |
| 8 | Doncaster Rovers | 37 | 51 |
| 9 | Blackpool | 37 | 50 |
| 10 | Coventry City | 37 | 50 |
| 11 | Middlesbrough | 37 | 49 |
| 12 | Barnsley | 36 | 49 |
| 13 | Preston North End | 37 | 48 |
| 14 | Reading | 35 | 47 |
| 15 | Bristol City | 37 | 45 |
| 16 | Queens Park Rangers | 36 | 44 |
| 17 | Ipswich Town | 37 | 44 |
| 18 | Derby County | 37 | 43 |
| 19 | Watford | 35 | 42 |
| 20 | Sheffield Wednesday | 37 | 39 |
| 21 | Crystal Palace | 36 | 38 |
| 22 | Scunthorpe United | 36 | 38 |
| 23 | Plymouth Argyle | 36 | 34 |
| 24 | Peterborough United | 37 | 30 |
Peter Beagrie is saddened by Gary Johnson's exit - but still has plenty to enjoy in the Football League.
Loose Women presenter Andrea McLean was strutting her stuff on Soccer AM this weekend.
Can Posh make a miracle escape? What's wrong at Cardiff? Peter Beagrie talks Football League.
Sheffield United have signed Steve Simonsen on a month-long loan deal from Stoke City.
Alan Irvine has confirmed that winger Jermaine Johnson will be out for two weeks with a hamstring injury.
Cardiff City have confirmed discussions with a Malaysian consortium have continued in a "positive and productive manner".
Dave Jones believes there is a good chance a Malaysian consortium will complete a takeover at Cardiff.
Blackpool have beaten off competition from Ian Holloway's old club QPR to sign Everton full-back Seamus Coleman.