Aston Villa beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 but it took a fine 47th-minute goal to win a derby which flared up with the sending off of Albion's Lloyd Dyer.
Jamie Ward started and finished the move which led to him drilling a low shot past Russell Hoult.
The first half was mostly noteworthy for what didn't happen, particularly when Villa defender Lee Grant got away with a clear 38thminute handball in the box as Albion striker Rob Elvins tried to cross.
The second half was livelier, with Albion's Darren Carter shooting wide from a pass by the outstanding Brian Smikle in the 51st minute and Ben Pringle heading over from a 65th-minute cross by Albion substitute Chris Humphries.
Dyer got his marching orders in the 78th minute for a head-butt on Williams. Albion's new striker, Nathan Ellington, played the first half. n Wolverhampton Wanderers were unlucky in going down 2-1 to Newcastle United at Telford.
Two goals down after 16 minutes, the Molineux men pulled themselves back with a Leon Clarke goal just before the break but Ben Smith pulled off a string of fine saves to preserve his side's advantage.
United had taken a second- minute lead through Carl Finnigan before Charles N'Zogbia lashed a shot into the top corner. In between, Mark Davies had hit the bar and Smith had saved well from Colin Cameron.
