Southampton went further ahead at the top of the Championship after a 2-0 home win over Crystal Palace on Monday.
Saints manager Nigel Adkins entered the match on the back of a 23-match unbeaten home run in the league, and they extended that thanks to a brace from Guly do Prado.
The Brazilian opened the scoring on 34 minutes when he headed home Steve De Ridder's cross, leaving Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni with no chance.
And after Adam Lallana went close early in the second half, do Prado sealed the match with another header as Frazer Richardson's cross ended in the back of the net.
The win ensured Southampton's lead atop the standings was extended to three points.
Middlesbrough's impressive form continued as Barry Robson's late strike saw them defeat Hull City 1-0 for their fourth-successive win, moving them equal on points with second-placed West Ham.
Cardiff City remain fourth despite being held to a 1-1 draw at Watford, with an Adrian Mariappa own goal with 10 minutes to play giving the Welsh side a point.
Reading climbed into the top six after a 3-0 home success against Brighton, with Jobi McAnuff bagging two first-half goals for the winners.
Adam El Abd's own goal in second-half injury time added gloss to Reading's fifth win in six, while Blackpool moved to seventh as winger Matt Phillips bagged a hat-trick in their 3-1 win at Barnsley.
Burnley also made it five wins in six after downing Doncaster Rovers 3-0, with Jay Rodriguez and Martin Paterson scoring for the winners and Sam Hird netting a late own goal.
Leeds United's poor form continued as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Derby County, with Jamie Ward netting a second-half winner for Nigel Clough's side.
Ipswich Town drew 1-1 at Leicester City, after Lee Bowyer's early goal was cancelled out by Paul Gallagher's penalty.
Nottingham Forest's winless streak extended to six as they lost 1-0 at home to Peterborough United.
Coventry City remain bottom despite a 1-0 win against fellow strugglers Bristol City, with substitute Gary Deegan's goal moving Andy Thorn's side to five points away from safety.
In the later game, West Ham lost ground on Southampton after letting the lead slip at Birmingham City.
Carlton Cole handed the visitors a fourth-minute lead - an advantage Sam Allardyce's men held until the 81st minute, when full-back David Murphy glanced home an equaliser for City.