Southampton extended their formidable home record and boosted their promotion push as the English Championship football leaders defeated visitors Crystal Palace 2-0 at St Mary's.
The victory extended Saints' lead at the top to three points, with second-placed West Ham securing a 1-1 draw in the late kick-off away at Birmingham.
Middlesbrough have also kept up the pressure on the leaders, grinding out a late 1-0 win against Hull at the Riverside Stadium to sit third behind West Ham on goal difference.
Cardiff stay in fourth after coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at Watford.
Reading boosted their play-off hopes with a comfortable 3-0 win against Brighton at the Madejski Stadium while free-scoring Blackpool came from behind to claim a 3-1 win at Barnsley, keeping the Tangerines on the cusp of a play-off place.
Leeds fell out of the play-off spots after going down 1-0 at Derby.
At the wrong end of the table, Coventry kept alive their slim chances of survival with a 1-0 win and three precious points against fellow-strugglers Bristol City.
Two-time European Cup winners Nottingham Forest remain stuck in the relegation mire after losing 1-0 at home to Peterborough.
Doncaster take up the other relegation spot following their 3-0 thumping by Burnley, who move to within three points of the play-offs.
Millwall's 1-0 win over Portsmouth, a first victory in four, earned them some breathing space over their relegation rivals.
Ipswich are now six points above the drop zone after earning a point at Leicester.
