drew 1-1 at home with First Division leaders Charlton.

It was City's sixth game without a win but the result moved the club back into second place.

Goater, whose best ever haul in England was 25 goals, reached that mark for the third time in six seasons when he broke the deadlock in the 31st minute before a capacity crowd of 32,139 at City's Maine Road ground.

The goal came from a quick break down the right, Ian Bishop crossing for Goater to volley over the Charlton 'keeper from 20 yards.

Goater also netted City's winner when they won 1-0 at Charlton's ground in November. But yesterday City were denied an important win when Shaun Newton equalised in the 42nd minute to earn Charlton the point that keeps them 13 points clear at the top.

The point was enough to take City back into second place on goal difference over Ipswich and Barnsley but with a game in hand over both teams. City are away to Stockport on Tuesday night.

Barnsley missed the chance to go second when they were beaten 3-1 by fellow promotion hopefuls Birmingham City on Saturday. Barnsley went ahead through Craig Hignett after 13 minutes, his 17th goal of the season.

But Birmingham equalised through on-loan striker Isiah Rankin. David Holdsworth headed them into the lead shortly before half-time and Rankin got a third early in the second half.

And promotion contenders Ipswich also blew a chance to move up when they were beaten 2-0 by neighbours Norwich.