Alan Browne scored and then assisted for Tommy Conway's winner as Middlesbrough moved into the Sky Bet Championship automatic promotion places with a 2-1 comeback victory at 10-man Stoke.
It was a second goal in four games for the Ireland international, who is currently on loan from Sunderland.
Slovakian Tomas Rigo’s first goal in 21 appearances for the Potters gave the home team a deserved interval lead and brief return to a play-off spot.
However, for the second time in six days Kim Hellberg’s side came from behind to leapfrog Ipswich into second, six points behind Coventry.
Browne equalised after 48 minutes – the first goal conceded by Stoke in 2026 following four clean sheets – before centring superbly for Tommy Conway to register his fourth goal of the season 11 minutes later as the second tier’s meanest defence was cracked again.
Stoke’s misery was complete 15 minutes from time when Irish defender Bosun Lawal received a second booking for a tackle on Aidan Morris.
Finn Azaz and Ryan Manning both featured for Southampton as the Saints warmed up for Sunday's south-coast derby at Portsmouth by snapping a seven-match winless run by beating Sheffield United 1-0.
Leo Scienza's deflected seventh-minute strike was the difference at St Mary's to ease pressure on head coach Eckert.
The overdue success lifted Saints to 15th in the table and provided a timely boost ahead of the weekend visit to Fratton Park.
Azaz played 78 minutes at St Mary's before being replaced by fellow Republic of Ireland international Manning.
Tom Cannon, who won two caps for the Boys in Green in 2024, started up front for the Blades.
Former St Patrick's Athletic defender James Abankwah was at the heart of the Watford defence as the Hornets missed the chance of regaining a play-off position with a 1-1 draw at home to Portsmouth.
Adrian Segecic put Portsmouth ahead in the 73rd minute but Watford levelled through substitute Mamadou Doumbia six minutes later.
The result moves Pompey out of the relegation zone.
Abankwah was replaced in the final 10 minutes at Vicarage Road, while Irish underage player Roco Vata was introduced shortly after the hour mark.
