In a depleted matchweek, the race for the second automatic promotion spot and survival produced more twists.
With second-placed Sheffield United not in action due to their FA Cup involvement, third-placed Middlesbrough cut their deficit to three points in a 4-0 win at home to ten-men Preston, in which Cameron Archer scored twice in-between goals from Chuba Akpom and Marcus Forss.
Fourth-placed Luton missed a chance to keep apace after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Sunderland, as Amad Diallo’s comeback penalty for the Black Cats cancelled out Alfie Doughty’s strike.
Fifth-placed Blackburn weren’t in action with their clash against league leaders – Burnley postponed, due to both teams being involved in FA Cup action this matchweek.
Down in the relegation zone, Danny Ward fired in from Ben Jackson’s cross to lift Huddersfield up to 22nd in a narrow win at sixth-placed Millwall.
Blackpool slipped to second-bottom after they suffered a 4-1 home loss against Coventry City, courtesy of Curtis Nelson’s own goal plus second-half goals from Kyle McFadzean and Matty Godden after Ben Sheaf’s opening goal was cancelled out by Jerry Yates’ penalty.
James McClean’s equalising goal saw rock-bottom Wigan snatch a 1-1 draw at Watford after Keinan Davis put the Hornets ahead at half-time.
Elsewhere, Norwich dropped pace to the top six after they were held to a goalless draw at Stoke
Tahith Chong’s third-minute strike saw Birmingham City scrape past QPR in a mid-table encounter at Loftus Road.
Goals from Liam Cullen and Olivier Ntcham saw Swansea defeat Bristol City 2-0 to end their six-match losing streak.
Andy Carroll cancelled out Regan Slater’s goal as Reading fought back to hold Hull to a 1-1 draw at home.
Finally, Rotherham’s home clash against Cardiff was abandoned in the 47th minute following torrential showers, which rended the pitch unplayable after a 45 minute delay and pitch inspection with the visitiors having led 1-0 through Jaden Philogene’s fifth-minute goal.