Glenn Murray got Crystal Palace's promotion bid back on track with a late double to sink south London rivals Charlton in a 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park.
The striker took his tally for the season 25 goals, cancelling out Ricardo Fuller's first half opener for the Addicks.
Palace were top of the npower Championship shortly after Ian Holloway took over in October but a worrying dip in results had seen them slip off the pace.
They put in a shocking first-half display and were deservedly behind at the break, but Murray's brace secured only a second win in 10 matches for the Eagles.
Palace actually made a bright start with Wilfried Zaha, now officially on loan from Manchester United, running from his own half into the penalty area and forcing a last-ditch tackle from Chris Solly.
Fellow winger Yannick Bolasie then teed himself up for an extravagant overhead kick but his effort was saved by Ben Hamer.
But Jamaican frontman Fuller, who began his career at Selhurst Park, latched onto a long ball over the top, charged into the area and drove a low, angled drive through Julian Speroni's legs and into the far corner.
As the break approached Palace did have another sight of Hamer's goal but Alex Marrow's shot was deflected wide.
Holloway sent on his new signing, veteran striker Kevin Phillips, after the interval and Zaha drove an early effort off target.
Charlton had thrown away the lead to lose 2-1 against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend and the jitters struck again when Murray found the equaliser in the 75th minute.
The former Brighton frontman latched onto Dean Moxey's pass and tucked it past Hamer.
And four minutes later Palace grabbed their dramatic winner when Charlton failed to clear Stephen Dobbie's cross.
The ball fell to Jazz Richards, who teed up Murray for another expert finish past Hamer which clinched a vital three points for Holloway and his men.
Fraizer Campbell scored on his Cardiff debut as the Bluebirds saw off Leeds at Elland Road.
Substitute Campbell, who joined the Welsh side from Sunderland, secured all three points for his new club when he turned in Craig Bellamy's shot with his first touch.
Ross Barkley and Tom Lees both had good chances for Leeds in the absence of departed striker Luciano Becchio, who joined Norwich on deadline day, but Cardiff keeper David Marshall made some fine saves.
Chris Burke scored twice as Birmingham recorded a much-needed 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
Burke fired home on the stroke of half-time and again in the 80th minute, with Billy Sharp's stoppage-time penalty meagre consolation for Forest.
Hull moved level on points with second-placed Leicester as they beat Millwall 1-0 at the Den.
David Meyler struck for the Tigers in the first minute as Millwall slipped to their third successive league defeat.
Blackpool fell to a shock 2-1 home defeat by struggling Barnsley after they were reduced to 10 men at Bloomfield Road.
Goalkeeper Matt Gilks was shown a red card in the 64th minute for handling the ball outside the area after Tom Ince had cancelled out Jim O'Brien's opener for Barnsley.
The extra man finally paid off for the visitors two minutes from the final whistle when Jason Scotland scored from close range to seal a valuable win.
Ipswich created a shock as they thrashed promotion-chasing Middlesbrough 4-0 at home.
Tommy Smith got the ball rolling with a close-range header in the 38th minute before David McGoldrick, Aaron Mclean and another for Smith sealed an emphatic win.
Meanwhile, Derby were 3-0 winners at home to Huddersfield. Craig Bryson, Jamie Ward and Richard Keogh all got on the scoresheet as the Rams climbed closer to the play-off places.
Crystal Palace beat Charlton 2-1 thanks to two goals by Glenn Murray, which cancelled out Ricardo Fuller's 15th minute strike.
There was no respite for struggling Bristol City as Jordan Rhodes scored a goal in each half for Blackburn in a 2-0 win at Ewood Park.
Martin Paterson's late goal for Burnley denied basement side Peterborough a victory as the two sides drew 2-2 at London Road.
Charlie Austin put the visitors ahead in the first minute before Tommy Rowe scored twice in two minutes in the second half to put Posh ahead.
However, Paterson denied the home side their ninth league win of the season when he struck home with just five minutes remaining.
Sheffield Wednesday moved away from the bottom with a 3-1 win over 10-man Brighton.
Leroy Lita, Danny Pugh and Michail Antonio scored for Wednesday, with Andrea Orlandi's low strike scant consolation for Brighton.
Meanwhile, Watford came from a goal down to beat Bolton 2-1 and move within touching distance of the automatic promotion places.
Marvin Sordell's penalty put the Trotters ahead but goals either side of the break from Matej Vydra and Almen Abdi earned Watford the victory.
