Callum Robinson made it six goals in his last six Sky Bet Championship games as he spearheaded Cardiff's 2-1 win over Derby in the Welsh capital to move the victors up to 18th in the table.
The Republic of Ireland striker finally broke the deadlock in a dour relegation battle in the 62nd minute as he beat Jacob Widell Zetterstrom in the Derby goal with his second touch after the keeper had saved his first flick on from Joe Ralls’ cross.
A minute later, Robinson turned provider after Cian Ashford had raced up the right flank and sent the ball into his feet on the edge of the box. He then pushed the ball into the path of Anwar El Ghazi who stroked home the second goal.
In the 70th minute, a swift break out of defence led to a cross from the right and Lars-Jorgen Salvesen headed home to give the Rams a lifeline, but it proved to be false hope.
Sunderland blew their chance to move up to third as substitute Nathanael Ogbeta struck a last-minute equaliser for rock-bottom Plymouth at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats had hit back from behind after Ryan Hardie put the visitors in front just before the hour mark, with Wilson Isidor quickly levelling and Trai Hume grabbing their second after 72 minutes.
But Plymouth pressed for a leveller and were rewarded when the home defence failed to clear a free-kick, with Ogbeta converting at the far post to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw.
Middlesbrough and Blackburn both missed chances to boost their play-off aspirations as they fell to 2-1 defeats at Preston and Bristol City, respectively.
Michael Carrick's Boro suffered an early blow when top scorer Emmanuel Latte Lath went off injured, and they fell behind to Stefan Thordarson’s 28th-minute opener.
Delano Burgzorg levelled with a brilliant individual effort but Emil Riis struck a late winner as Preston extended their unbeaten run to four games.
Rovers slumped to their third defeat in a row as Nakhi Wells struck a 77th-minute winner at Ashton Gate. Scott Twine’s superb free-kick had given Bristol City an early lead before Andreas Weimann levelled before the break.
Portsmouth’s recent revival came crashing to an end as they were thumped 5-1 by West Brom at The Hawthorns.
Without a win in three, the Baggies were gifted an early lead as mistakes from Pompey keeper Nicolas Schmid saw Alex Mouatt and Grady Diangana give the home side a 2-0 lead inside the first half hour. The second goal followed terrific trickery and a mazy run from Republic of Ireland winger Mikey Johnston, who saw his shot palmed into the path of Diangana.
Jed Wallace grabbed a third before the break and further goals from Diangana and John Swift made the game safe before debutant Thomas Waddingham scored Pompey’s late consolation.
Watford boss Tom Cleverley could find himself under more pressure after his side were beaten 2-1 at Coventry, two Victor Torp strikes enough to give Frank Lampard’s men the points before Liam Kitching gave the visitors hope.
Alex Neil claimed his first league win as Millwall boss as a brilliant strike from Mihailo Ivanovic earned the Lions a 1-0 win at struggling Luton.
Two goals from Josh Sargeant saw Norwich sweep back to form with a 5-1 win over Swansea at Carrow Road. The Swans had briefly levelled through Liam Cullen but later goals from Lewis Dobbin, Ante Crnac and Emiliano Marcondes completed the rout.
QPR’s run of four straight wins was halted by Sheffield Wednesday as Michael Smith and Callum Patterson secured a 2-0 win in west London.
Gary Rowett’s Oxford are now four games unbeaten after grinding out a goalless draw at Stoke.
