Lewis grabs Villa a point
LEWIS GRABBAN opened his Aston Villa account to earn his side a 1-1 draw and spare some of goalkeeper Sam Johnstone’s blushes against Preston.
Johnstone’s second costly error in as many games gifted Tom Barkhuizen a 37-minute opener for Preston.
The on-loan Manchester United keeper made a hash of a corner and then helped Barkhuizen’s overhead effort into the net.
But Villa boss Steve Bruce made two halftime changes and substitute Grabban stroked home his first Villa goal from the spot after Barkhuizen was penalised for fouling Keinan Davis.
Sheffield United closed in on the play-off spots as they beat QPR 2-1.
Richard Stearman struck in the 28th minute and John Lundstram added a second from a Billy Sharp cross. Luke Freeman pulled one back with a fine 22-yard drive.
Brentford thrashed Birmingham 5-0 to boost their promotion hopes.
Ollie Watkins grabbed a double and there were others for Florian Jozefzoon, Neal Maupay plus a Marc own goal.
Hull’s relegation worries deepened as they slid to a 3-1 defeat at Middlesbrough.
Rudy Gestede ended a six-month league drought with goals in each half as Tony Pulis’ side closed to within two points of the top six.
Brazilian midfielder Evandro drew Hull level with a superb strike but Patrick Bamford restored the lead.
Jose Morais’ debut in the Barnsley dugout got off to the worst possible start as his side slipped to a 2-1 defeat against relegation rivals Burton. Burton went ahead Roberts inside a minute through Jamie Allen and Jacob Davenport made it 2-0.
Barnsley pulled one back through Daniel Pinillos but the Brewers hung on.
Millwall bagged their first win at home since December after coming from behind against Sheffield Wednesday.
Joey Pelupessy struck a debut goal to put the Owls ahead but the Lions sparked into life in the second half. Lee Gregory equalised with a header six minutes after the restart and Steve Morison got the winner after 63 minutes with a close-range tap-in for a 2-1 win.