Championship Round-Up: Burnley and Brighton share the spoils, allowing Middlesbrough and Hull to benefit

Middlesbrough closed the gap on leaders Burnley to just three points after their 3-2 victory at QPR on Friday night.

Jordan Rhodes scored his first goal since February to give the visitors the lead, before Jamie Mackie equalised before half-time. Alex Smithies saved a Grant Leadbitter penalty, only for Gaston Ramirez to restore Boro’s lead moments later and Ben Gibson made it 3-1. Tjaronn Chery pulled one back with four minutes left, but Aitor Karanka’s side held on.

Rhodes’ opener against QPR was only his second league goal for Middlesbrough.

Brighton were denied a vital win at home to Burnley after the Clarets scored a stoppage-time equaliser as the sides drew 2-2. The visitors came from behind twice as Andre Gray netted in between strikes from Dale Stephens and Anthony Knockaert, but Michael Keane’s late effort meant it was a point a piece come the final whistle.

Hull maintained their automatic promotion push by thrashing Bristol City 4-0 to end their five game winless run. Goals from Curtis Davies, Robert Snodgrass, Sone Aluko and a long-range drive by Mohamed Diame dented the Robins’ survival chances.

Fulham beat fellow relegation candidates MK Dons 2-1 in what could prove the most valuable three points of their campaign to end a six-game run without a win. Ross McCormack put the Cottagers in front after Moussa Dembele picked out his strike partner, but Josh Murphy’s cheeky lob saw the team’s level. Dembele then won it with 15 minutes left to play with a cool finish this time thanks to McCormack’s pinpoint pass.

Charlton came from a goal down to win 2-1 against Birmingham in stoppage time in a dramatic match. The visitors took the lead when Jon Toral picked up a loose ball before slotting it home, but six minutes later Johann Berg Gudmundsson found the net. The Addicks then scored the winner in the 94th minute as Jorge Teixeira met Ademola Lookman’s cross.

Cardiff are now two points off of the play-offs after a 2-1 win over sixth placed Derby in front of a record home crowd and it was the hosts who went in front when Bruno Ecuele Manga headed the ball home. Chris Martin equalised for the Rams, but Stuart O’Keefe responded with a calm finish.

Brentford earned a solid 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest, who were reduced to ten men. Lasse Vibe and Nico Yennaris put the Bees 2-0 up when Eric Lichaj was shown his second yellow in four minutes, before Sergi Canos wrapped up the scoring.

Rotherham made it five wins from their last six outings with a a 2-1 win over Leeds as both sides finished with ten men. Lee Frecklington had put the Millers in the lead at half-time. Matt Derbyshire was then sent off shortly after the restart, before Luke Murphy levelled the scores. Goalkeeper Marco Silvestri gave away a penalty in the final minute and was dismissed before Greg Halford netted a last-gasp winner from the resulting spot kick.

Preston made it two wins from their last three fixtures with a 2-1 victory at Blackburn after coming from a goal down. Elliott Ward put the hosts in front but efforts by Joe Garner and Jordan Hugill kept North End’s slim play-off hopes alive.

Reading scored a last minute winner to beat bottom side Bolton 1-0, as Ola John scored the decisive goal and ensured that the hosts could be relegated next weekend if results do not go their way.

Sheffield Wednesday are up to fifth after a 1-0 win at Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield. Fernando Forestieri’s tap-in after some great work by Lucas Joao was enough for the Owls to maintain their play-off ambitions.

And finally, Ipswich were held to a 0-0 draw at Wolves to leave them five points off of the play-offs after missing the chance to cut the gap down to just three points.

Player of the Weekend: Moussa Dembele (Fulham)
Team of the Weekend: Fulham
Goal of the Weekend: Ola John (Bolton vs READING)