It was a day of mixed emotions at Deepdale for Chris Iwelumo where his hat-trick helped Wolves extended their unbeaten start to the season despite ending the match with nine men.

Iwelumo opened the scoring in the 3-1 victory over Preston with a terrific strike direct from a free-kick on 36 minutes.

He then doubled his tally six minutes after the hour and completed his hat-trick when he rifled home a penalty with 72 minutes on the clock.

But his afternoon turned sour three minutes later when he was given a straight red for appearing to headbutt Sean St Ledger.

Wayne Hennessey became the second Wolves player to see red when he was dismissed for bringing down Neil Mellor in injury time.

Mellor then stepped up to slot home the penalty, but it was Wolves, who also had manager Mick McCarthy sent to the stands, who took all three points thanks to Iwelumo's first hat-trick.

Blackpool inflicted a shock 1-0 defeat on Birmingham at St Andrews to condemn the home side to their first league defeat of the season.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher was the unlikely hero for the visitors. He scored his first goal in 16 games to give his side the lead two minutes after half-time when he caught the Blues' defence napping.

Marcus Bent should have levelled the scores for Birmingham in injury time but he put his header wide from just six yards.

Watford were denied a deserved win by an incredible decision to allow a bizarre goal to stand and a late penalty as Reading claimed a point in a crazy 2-2 draw.

Linesman Nigel Bannister farcically flagged for a goal instead of a corner after the ball crossed the goalline wide of the goal following a challenge between John Eustace and Royals striker Noel Hunt.

Despite not a single Reading player appealing for the 'goal' referee Stuart Attwell gave Steve Coppell's men a 1-0 lead.

But a frenetic second-half display saw the Hornets draw level through Tommy Smith before John-Joe O'Toole smashed in a fine strike.

A Stephen Hunt's late penalty, after Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd was sent to the stands by Attwell, saw the visitors pinch a point.

Elsewhere, Michael McIndoe bagged two goals for Bristol City against his former club Doncaster as the Robins ran riot at Ashton Gate.

The Scot opened the scoring three minutes after the break from the spot when Nicky Maynard was pulled down in the box.

Maynard then scored one himself 12 minutes after the break from a counter-attack before McIndoe added his second 16 minutes from time.

Ivan Sproule was also on the scoresheet for the home side, who conceded a consolation goal from Richie Wellens with 20 minutes to go.

A Paul Gallagher double gave Plymouth a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The striker scored either side of half-time to give the visitors a deserved victory against Neil Warnock's side, who clawed one back through Patrick McCarthy with six minutes left.

Cardiff's Ross McCormack denied Derby a second league win of the season at Pride Park.

Paul Jewell's side won their first league game since November last week against Sheffield United, and they took the lead this time around through Martin Albrechtsen after 30 minutes.

But McCormack's penalty 21 minutes from time denied the Rams all three points.

Norwich midfielder Lee Croft shocked Sheffield United by grabbing an injury-time winner against the Blades at Carrow Road.

United's neighbours, Sheffield Wednesday, rattled the bar twice against Ipswich at Hillsborough but the game ended in a goalless draw.

It was the same story at the City Ground and St Mary's where Nottingham Forest and Southampton played out goalless draws with Charlton and Barnsley respectively.

Elliott Ward scored from the penalty spot to give Coventry a 1-0 win over QPR at the Ricoh Arena while Ferrie Bodde's injury-time header grabbed a point for Swansea in their 1-1 draw with Burnley.