Burnley and Sheffield United took huge strides towards the title and promotion respectively in a dramatic midweek round of Championship drama.
League leaders, Burnley were denied the prospect of a new record points finish after being held to a 2-2 draw at Rotherham, having twice led through goals from Scott Twine and Manuel Benson only to be pegged back by Vitinho’s own goal and George Kelly’s close-range strike.
James McAtee’s 77th minute winner saw second-placed Sheffield United defeat Bristol City at Bramall Lane, which in-turned further delayed Burnley’s chances of sealing the title for another matchweek.
Carlton Morris’s late header rescued third-placed Luton a 1-1 draw at third-bottom Reading after Andy Carroll had headed the Royals in front, although Carroll was then red carded in the 56th minute for handball whilst the draw meant that Luton slipped seven points off Sheffield Utd.
Chuba Akpom made history as the first Championship player to score in nine consecutive home matches, as fourth-placed Middlesbrough came from behind to defeat Hull 3-1 with Hayden Hackney and Cameron Archer also on the scoresheet for the hosts.
Millwall remain fifth despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to Gary Rowett’s former club – Birmingham City, courtesy of Lukas Jutkiewicz’s 28th minute winner.
Blackburn rounded out the top six after scrapping their way to a 1-1 draw at home to Coventry, in which Sam Gallagher’s 39th minute goal was cancelled out by Coventry goalkeeper – Ben Wilson who bundled in from an injury-time corner.
Down in the relegation zone, Will Keane’s clinical on-the-turn strike from Max Power’s cross saw rock-bottom Wigan snatch a 54th minute winner at Stoke.
Blackpool remain second-bottom after suffering a 2-0 loss at home to West Brom, in which Brandon Thomas-Asante and Taylor Gardner-Hickman found the net for the Baggies.
QPR meanwhile sit just one point above the drop after Lyndon Dykes’ ninth-minute opening goal for the hosts was cancelled out by Adam Idah’s equaliser, as Gareth Ainsworth’s Hoops were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Norwich.
Elsewhere, Joel Piroe struck twice and provided an assist as Swansea defeated Preston 4-2 in a fiery six-goal thriller, in which fellow goalscorer – Joe Allen and Preston manager – Ryan Lowe were red carded following a mass brawl involving both teams on the touchline.
Kion Etete, Cedric Kipre and Sory Kaba all found the net as Cardiff came from behind to stun Watford 3-1 at Vicarage Road, having fallen behind to Ismaila Sarr’s opening goal in the 11th minute.
Finally, Josh Koroma’s second-half goal cancelled out Joe Gelhardt’s strike as Huddersfield fought back to draw 1-1 at Sunderland.
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