Parker with much to ponder at West Ham, Millwall slide, QPR and Charlton revive - plus an FA Cup roundup
Scott Parker's reign at West Ham began with a thrilling comeback at Cardiff in midweek as the Hammers fought back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 - but the feelgood factor did not extend to the weekend visit to Blackburn Rovers.
An 82nd minute goal from Joel Piroe had them dreaming of another recovery - this time from 2-0 down - but it was not to be, as second half strikes from Andri Gudjohnsen and Dapo Afolayan gave Rovers a 2-1 victory at Ewood Park.
It was a third defeat in four games for the Hammers and leaves Parker with work to do during the international break as he seeks his first win since taking over from Nuno Espirito Santo.
"It's very disappointing," said Parker after his side failed to reward 7,000 travelling fans to the north west. "We suffocated Blackburn for large parts. Second half we came out really sharp and bright but didn't manage to score and their first goal gave us a bit of a hill to climb. We proved in the week we can do that but we weren't clinical enough in our moments."
The Irons slip down a place to ninth in the table - just outside the play-off positions. Overtaking them into eight place are QPR, who responded to last week's thumping defeat at Southampton with a 2-1 win against Lincoln City at Loftus Road.
Richard Kone continued his rich vein of form with a headed goal in the 11th minute and Glen Kamara's first goal for the Hoops secured victory 10 minutes from time following a slick counter-attack. Dom Jeffries had equalised for the Imps after half an hour.
"It's a big win for us," said boss Julien Stephan. "It was important to take control quickly at the beginning of the game and that's what the players did perfectly in the first 20 or 25 minutes.
"We had full control but unfortunately after just one little mistake we conceded and the game changed a little bit. We needed to speak with a lot of calm at half-time just to reassure the players.
"They kept their confidence and continued to play in the same way and scored a beautiful second goal - not only the finish, not only the pass from Ilias Chair, but all the movement for me was perfect from the beginning."
There were huge sighs of relief at the Valley where Charlton ended a run of 11 games without a win by beating Sheffield United 2-1. Matty Godden was the hero of the hour with a late winner. Millenic Alli had given the Addicks a 12th minute lead, only for Jordan Ayew to level it up for the Blades 13 minutes later.
"Relief is a big thing," said manager Nathan Jones. "I'm emotional because of everything that's gone on. That was more like us from start to finish. We were front-footed. we had real control in our play. I thought we were excellent tactically.
"I'm proud of the group because they've had to contend with so much noise, so much pressure, especially being at home. It's probably, apart from Wembley, my favourite result that I've had at this football club, just the importance of it. It was wonderful and I'm so proud of everyone."
The stardust that finally was sprinkled on the Valley was missing for Millwall, whose inconsistent season continued with a 3-0 defeat at an in-form West Brom. The Lions went in at the break all-square but were then undone by goals from Isaac Price, former player Jayson Molumby and Felix Horn Myhre. It was a first defeat at the Hawthorns for Millwall in six years.
Coach Alex Neil said: "I'm really frustrated because I didn't think West Brom had a lot of clear-cut chances in the game, certainly prior to the second goal. We had a great opportunity with Josh Coburn but [he] just didn't sort [his] feet out to get it on target.
"We weren't excellent by any means, but I thought we were relatively solid and contained West Brom until the second goal. Then we lost our discipline and too many players were running around doing what they want, and too many players were missing challenges. I was bitterly disappointed in the way the game ended."
Meanwhile, Watford, 20th in the table, one place behind Charlton, held lunchtime leaders Middlesbrough to a 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road. Boro had the better of it but the Hornets held firm to ease the pressure a little on boss Alessio Dionisi, who said: "I am very proud of my players and very happy for everyone. It was difficult to play against them.
"Sometimes we had courage and we played in the opponents' half and we had positive and good situations. We worked for this. Federico Ravaglia probably had his best game of the season but it is not easy to speak about just one player - all players today were our best player."
Pride of place in the FA Cup first round goes to Cray Wanderers after their heroic televised tie against League One Stockport County at Flamingo Park.
The Isthmian League side - 113 places below their opponents - lead 2-0 after 36 minutes after memorable strikes from Sammie McLeod and Alex Hernandez. But Stockport, who were reduced to 10 men after half an hour, scored twice in the last 10 minutes to take it to extra-time before winning it with a 101st minute penalty from Lewis Fiorini.
Cray manager Tim O'Shea said: We were in dreamland at half-time. We caused them more problems than perhaps some opposition in their own division. That is something I can take from this. I'm super proud. It is a shame we couldn't get over the line. We nearly got there."
Elsewhere, there were wins for Barnet and Leyton Orient, but Bromley and AFC Wimbledon fell by the wayside to miss out on the second round draw, as did National Leaguers Sutton United, humbled 1-0 at seventh-tier Guiseley - who profited from injury time penalty.
Barnet were drawing 0-0 against Tranmere at the Hive with 10 minutes to play but won 3-0. Kane Smith, Nnamdi Ofoborh and Damola Ajayi were the men on target. Orient had no trouble seeing off non leaguers Harborough - 5-1 the result at Brisbane Road. The goals came from Idris Mizouni (two) Armando Dobra, Aaron Connolly and Tony Springett.
A spectacular strike from the halfway line by Charlie McNeil paved the way for Crewe's 2-1 win over AFC Wimbledon. Andy Yiadom's 82nd minute goal came too late for the Dons to save it, having trailed 2-0 on the hour after Conor Thomas added a second for the Railwaymen.
Meanwhile, Karl Robinson began life as the Bromley boss with a defeat - the Ravens losing 2-0 to Rotherham at Hayes Lane. Sonny Aljofee and Tom Bradshaw scored in each half to end home interest in the competition.
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