Iain Dowie is under increasing pressure after Queens Park Rangers' troubles continued with a 1-0 defeat at Birmingham City.

Rangers have just one point from their last four Championship matches, and Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson is being linked with a move to the club as their next boss.

“It's a bitter pill to swallow,” said Dowie, as he heads into a two‑week spell without a match due to international games. “The last thing we deserved after our first‑half showing was to lose. It sums up our luck at the moment.”

Watford will do all they can to keep Tommy Smith, who scored the winner against Preston. “We will always be a selling club, but we hope to hold on to Tommy,” said manager Aidy Boothroyd. Jon Harley also struck in a 2-1 victory.

Crystal Palace swept aside Nottingham Forest 2-0 with goals from Paul Ifill and Shefki Kuqi and boss Neil Warnock admitted: “I was really pleased to see us come through this one.” However, defender Paddy McCarthy dislocated his shoulder.

Charlton lifted a weight from Alan Pardew's shoulders as they beat Ipswich 2-1 win, thanks to a Nicky Bailey free-kick and Moritz Volz's own goal.

“When you've been West Ham United manager for four years you get used to the pressure, but this has been a tough week,” said the boss who has now won two games from the last seven.