Republic of Ireland international Aaron Connolly opened his account for Middlesbrough as they claimed a convincing 4-1 victory over crisis club Derby County.
Lee Buchanan's own goal was cancelled out by Max Bird, but Boro led 3-1 at the break after quick-fire goals from Connolly and Matt Crooks before Duncan Watmore rounded off the scoring in the 89th minute.
Connolly's goal had a slice of luck about it after he collected the ball with his back to goal in the 44th minute and the Irish striker turned before he saw his shot deflect off Curtis Davies into the opposite corner for his first Boro goal.
However Connolly's performance for Boro deserved that goal as he turned in his best display since joining the club.
Connolly's international team-mate Alan Browne claimed an assist for the game's only goal in Preston North End's 1-0 victory away to Peterborough.
Loan ace Cameron Archer made the decisive breakthrough at the Weston Homes Stadium as North End extended their fine record under new boss Ryan Lowe.
Archer struck his third goal in four starts since his January arrival from Aston Villa when guiding a classy left-footed finish past Posh keeper Steven Benda in the 80th minute after being set-up by Browne.
Fulham strengthened their position at the top of the Championship with a 1-0 win at Hull.
The visitors had to work hard against stubborn opponents but Aleksander Mitrovic's header after 57 minutes was enough to keep Marco Silva’s men six points clear of second-placed Bournemouth.
Siriki Dembele was Bournemouth's hero as his strike with just seconds remaining handed his side a potentially precious 2-1 win at in-form Blackpool.
Dembele – making his first start for the Cherries – sidefooted home deep into stoppage time as Blackpool’s five-game unbeaten run was curtailed in dramatic fashion.
Substitute Jamal Lowe had equalised in the 86th minute, cancelling out Josh Bowler’s opener, while Bournemouth saw Dominic Solanke miss a penalty.
Birmingham claimed a valuable 3-0 victory over Luton despite a first-half protest from fans, who threw tennis balls onto the pitch, briefly halting the game.
Juninho Bacuna grabbed his first goal for the club in the 25th minute, with Lyle Taylor and Onel Hernandez both finding the net in the second half.
An eventful afternoon in Reading saw the 10-man Royals beaten 3-2 by Coventry.
Lucas Joao's opener was cancelled out by goals from Dominic Hyam and Michael Rose either side of half-time.
Andy Yiadom drew Reading level again shortly afterwards but Junior Hoilett was sent off for a rash challenge and Coventry took advantage almost immediately through a lovely chip from Ian Maatsen.
Nottingham Forest salvaged a point in a 2-2 draw with Stoke despite ending the game with defender Joe Worrall in goal.
Forest had led through Brennan Johnson's 56th-minute goal but Josh Maja equalised and, with five minutes left, keeper Brice Samba took exception to a nudge from Phil Jagielka and hit him in the head.
That earned Samba a red card and, with the hosts having used all their substitutions, Worrall went in goal to face a penalty from Lewis Baker.
He was unable to save it but Forest dramatically equalised in injury time through Ryan Yates.
There were three late goals at Millwall, where the hosts were 2-1 winners over Cardiff, Murray Wallace and Mason Bennett scoring for the Lions before Joel Bagan made it a nervy finish.
The surprise of the day came at Oakwell, where Barnsley claimed their first league victory since early November against QPR, who slip to fourth. The only goal of the 1-0 win came from Domingos Quina in the 74th minute.
Huddersfield and Sheffield United played out a goalless draw.
