Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers have seen their advantage at the summit cut to 10 points after they were held to a goalless draw at Barnsley this afternoon.
The hosts had lost half of their games at Oakwell prior to today's encounter, but managed to extend their mini unbeaten run to four games by taking a surprise point from Nuno Espirito Santo's side.
Derby County were able to capitalise on Wolves' slip-up with a confident 3-0 victory at troubled Birmingham City, who remain 23rd in the table and two points from safety.
Cardiff City had temporarily moved to second in the table earlier in the day with a 4-0 thumping of Sunderland, while Bristol City suffered their third consecutive defeat thanks to a late goal from Norwich City's James Maddison.
A penalty in the fifth minute of time added on saw Fulham claim a dramatic late win at Middlesbrough, while a long-range strike from Bersant Celina saw Ipswich Town past promotion-chasing Leeds United.
Brentford moved to three points off the playoffs with a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Bolton Wanderers at Griffin Park, and Queens Park Rangers secured more daylight from the dropzone with a 3-1 triumph at Burton Albion, who stay put in 22nd place.
Results in full: Cardiff City 4-0 Sunderland, Barnsley 0-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City 0-3 Derby County, Brentford 2-0 Bolton Wanderers, Bristol City 0-1 Norwich City, Burton Albion 1-3 Queens Park Rangers, Hull City 0-0 Reading, Ipswich Town 1-0 Leeds United, Middlesbrough 0-1 Fulham, Millwall 1-1 Preston North End
Neil Wilkes
