Bournemouth maintained their pursuit of a place in the Premier League with a 2-0 win at Rotherham, while promotion rivals Ipswich eased to a 3-1 win over Millwall on Saturday.
Just a fortnight ago, Bournemouth dumped Rotherham out of the FA Cup with a 5-1 victory and the Championship leaders once again left the New York Stadium in buoyant mood following goals from captain Tommy Elphick and Callum Wilson.
Eddie Howe's team took the lead two minutes into stoppage-time at the end of the first half when Elphick rose highest to head Charlie Daniels' centre in off the post.
Bournemouth's second goal came in the 62nd minute when Wilson tapped in following a goalmouth scramble.
"I think whenever you watch us play this season we've always looked like we've had goals in us," Howe said.
"We were quite ruthless when our opportunities came along. That's a good combination when you are tight defensively and free-scoring."
The Cherries are one point ahead of second placed Ipswich after Mick McCarthy's side swept aside struggling Millwall at The Den.
Irish striker Noel Hunt notched twice in the first 14 minutes and, after Magaye Gueye's effort at the end of the first half had halved the deficit, substitute Jonathan Parr wrapped up the points in the second half.
Ipswich's win moved them two points above third placed Derby, who suffered an agonising 2-1 home defeat against local rivals Nottingham Forest.
Forest manager Stuart Pearce went into the east midlands derby under pressure after securing just two wins in 20 matches.
And the former England defender's position looked precarious at half-time as Derby led through a Henri Lansbury own goal.
But Forest equalised in the second half through leading scorer Britt Assombalonga's scrambled effort before youngster Ben Osborn fired home in stoppage-time to spark wild celebrations from the visitors.
"For the team to deliver a performance like that, it puts a marker down for the rest of the season," Pearce said.
"It's great the fans have had a great day because their support for me has been unswervable, even when results have not gone well.
"That loyalty means a lot to me. I'm entrenched in Nottingham, you all know that. It's slightly more than just a job for me."
Lee Tomlin scored twice as fourth placed Middlesbrough kept their promotion challenge on track with a 2-0 win against Huddersfield at the Riverside Stadium.
Brentford consolidated their play-off challenge with a 1-0 victory over 10-man Brighton in Chris Hughton's first home game as Seagulls manager.
Watford crushed Charlton 5-0 at Vicarage Road to keep their play-off bid on track.
Elsewhere, Norwich defeated Cardiff 3-2 and Wolves beat bottom of the table Blackpool 2-0 to stay on the fringes of the top six.
Wigan remain in the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw with Blackburn, while Sheffield Wednesday lost 2-1 at home to Bolton.
Fulham defeated Reading 2-1 and Leeds drew 1-1 with Birmingham.
Source: AFP
