Three late goals helped Derby halt an eight-game winless streak in the league as they beat Brentford 3-1 with three Irish players among the goals at Griffin Park.

Brentford went ahead seven minutes into the second half when Irish striker Alan Judge fired an effort into the far corner for his 13th goal of the season.

But his fellow country man Jeff Hendrick equalised in the 80th minute before another Irish man Cyrus Christie fired the Rams ahead four minutes later. Chris Martin then made sure of the points in injury time.

A nightmare opening half hour ended Brighton’s hopes of moving level on points with leaders Hull as they lost 4-1 at Cardiff.

The Seagulls travelled to Wales on the back of a five-game unbeaten run in the league, but trailed 3-0 inside 30 minutes.

Peter Whittingham fired Cardiff — now without defeat in six — in front in the 16th minute, with Irish midfielder Anthony Pilkington doubling their advantage three minutes later.

Lex Immers added a third before Brighton pulled a goal back through Dale Stephens 10 minutes into the second half.

Whittingham converted from the spot to restore Cardiff’s three-goal cushion in the 66th minute as Brighton crashed to only their second defeat on the road this season.

Burnley climbed into the automatic promotion places in the Sky Bet Championship with a 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Rotherham at Turf Moor.

With leaders Hull on FA Cup duty and Middlesbrough not in action this weekend, the Clarets moved into second place courtesy of Sam Vokes' first-half penalty and Scott Arfield's late strike.

Lloyd Doyley, on his Millers debut, brought down George Boyd and Vokes converted from the spot in the 27th minute — his fifth goal in eight games.

Andre Gray headed against the bar for Burnley, while Joe Newell squandered a glorious late chance to earn Rotherham a point.

Burnley wrapped up the win four minutes from time when Scott Arfield netted.

Ten-man Sheffield Wednesday missed a chance to close in on the top two as they went down 1-0 to Preston at Deepdale.

The Owls, who had been unbeaten in seven, suffered a blow in the 66th minute when playmaker Fernando Forestieri was sent off for two bookings.

Preston capitalised seven minutes later when Joe Garner headed in a Calum Woods cross for his first goal since December.

Tom Cairney bagged a brace as Fulham claimed a 3-0 London derby victory over Charlton, who dropped to the bottom.

Fulham took the lead in the 32nd minute through Cairney, who tucked home the rebound after Scott Parker’s effort had hit the bar.

They doubled their advantage just before the hour mark when half-time substitute Michael Madl headed in a Ross McCormack corner before a fantastic Cairney volley made it three 12 minutes from time.

Jonathan Kodjia ended his seven-game goal drought with a brace as Bristol City beat fellow strugglers MK Dons 2-0 at stadium:mk.

The Robins capitalised on an error from Dons keeper David Martin on the stroke of half-time, with Lee Tomlin collecting his miskick before crossing for Kodjia to notch his 11th goal of the season.

Kodjia added a second on the hour with a fine finish after racing on to Joe Bryan’s fine through-ball as City claimed a third successive win.

Bolton climbed off the foot of the table but were denied three much-needed points as they drew 1-1 with QPR at the Macron Stadium.

A stunning strike from Zach Clough put the troubled Trotters in front in the 68th minute, but Matty Phillips earned QPR a point in injury time.

Nahki Wells (78) hit his 13th of the season as Huddersfield overcame Wolves 1-0 at the John Smith’s Stadium.