Ipswich moved a point clear at the top of the Championship after a thrilling 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough at Portman Road. Ipswich went into the game looking to take advantage after seeing automatic promotion rivals Leicester beaten on Friday, but in a breathless first half the visitors took the lead through a header from Emmanuel Latte Lath. Town struck back 10 minutes later, though, when Massimo Luongo crashed home a corner. Daniel Farke admitted the killer instinct of Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics was lacking from his Leeds side after their frustrating 1-0 defeat. Leeds dominated at Elland Road but could not turn possession into goals, and Szmodics dealt the killer blow with a cool finish eight minutes from time. “Szmodics showed the quality which we didn’t show today and he needed just one chance,” said Farke. “It’s pretty disappointing and frustrating for us. We just didn’t put the ball into the net. It’s up to me to find solutions.” Flynn Downes bundled in a dramatic stoppage-time winner to keep Southampton in the automatic promotion race with a 3-2 victory over Watford. Will Smallbone and Che Adams had put Saints on course to capitalise on Leeds and Leicester’s earlier defeats before Ryan Porteous and Ismaël Koné levelled things up. But Downes crashed home at the back post deep into stoppage time to send St Mary’s and manager Russell Martin into raptures – with a playoff place confirmed at the very least. Saints are now seven points off the top two with games in hand. Ten-man West Brom’s playoff charge was dented as Sunderland won 1-0 at The Hawthorns. Pierre Ekwah netted the winner after connecting first time with a Callum Styles corner at the end of the first half. That immediately followed West Brom forward Brandon Thomas-Asante’s 43rd-minute red card for two bookable offences – the first Albion player to be sent off of Carlos Corberán’s 16-month reign. The defeat left the Baggies fifth. Freddie Woodman produced a goalkeeping masterclass but Gabriel Sara’s late winner helped Norwich beat Preston 1-0 at Deepdale to move closer towards securing a playoff place. The former Newcastle keeper pulled off a string of fine saves but Brazilian midfielder Sara’s 86th-minute strike dented the Lilywhites’ playoff hopes and left the Canaries six points clear of seventh-placed Hull. Hull did keep alive their faint chances of reaching the playoffs, though, with a 3-0 win over QPR, who remain in deep relegation trouble. Ozan Tufan’s wonderful solo effort from 20 yards and Fabio Carvalho’s cool one-on-one finish put the Tigers in control at the break. Jaden Philogene then put the seal on a dominating home performance with a sweet half-volley after 52 minutes. Birmingham gave their survival hopes a huge boost with a 3-0 home win over playoff chasing Coventry. An own goal by Bobby Thomas in the 12th minute opened the scoring, Ivan Sunjic made it two three minutes before half-time and Jay Stansfield killed the contest with his 13th of the season. The result was Blues’ biggest win since October – and only their second success in 11 – and moved them out of the relegation zone. Millwall secured a second successive victory as they eased their relegation worries with a 3-1 win at home to Cardiff. Jake Cooper’s volley had given the Lions a 2-1 half-time lead after Michael Obafemi and Yakou Méïté had traded goals. Duncan Watmore made sure of victory in stoppage time. Nahki Wells denied former club Huddersfield a vital victory with a stoppage-time penalty, earning Bristol City a 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate. When Josh Koroma fired the visitors in front in the 81st minute after a Jack Rudoni shot was deflected into his path, it seemed Huddersfield would lift themselves out of the relegation zone. But deep into added time Terriers substitute Ollie Turton was judged to have handled a Cameron Pring cross from the right and Wells, formerly a hero with Town fans, sent a powerful spot-kick beyond the reach of goalkeeper Lee Nicholls. Swansea all but secured their Championship status as Andy Rinomhota’s own-goal earned them a 1-0 win over relegated Rotherham. Luke Williams’s side dominated throughout and Liam Cullen, Jamie Paterson and Ronald all went close before Rinomhota turned into his own net from a corner in the 74th minute. Victory leaves Swansea nine points clear of the relegation zone. And struggling Sheffield Wednesday had to settle for a point after Stoke substitute Luke Cundle cancelled out Liam Palmer’s opener to earn a 1-1 draw. The result dealt Wednesday a real blow in their bid to avoid the drop due to the results elsewhere.