After their weekend home victory against Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough have opened up a four-point advantage over eighth-placed Bristol City with just five games remaining.
Goals from former Forest defender Daniel Ayala and Stewart Downing made sure the home side took advantage of the Robins going down by the same 2-0 scoreline at fellow promotion-hopefuls Millwall, who remain a point behind the Teessiders.
Elsewhere, both Sheffield United and Preston were defeated at Barnsley and Reading respectively, which allows Brentford to now split that pair having edged past Ipswich Town by a single-goal.
“I thought first half we were very good and the worst thing was half-time,” Boro manager Tony Pulis admitted to BBC Sport. “It took the steam out of us and gave them a chance to clear their heads, and they came out and played some good football. I’m very, very pleased. I thought we created a lot of chances today.”
Boro are straight back in action with a key visit to Sheffield United on Tuesday evening, before the weekend brings them another massive clash at home to Bristol City.