Championship: Leaders Coventry get back to winning ways as Boro make it four victories on the spin
After a two-game wobble, Championship leaders Coventry City returned to winning ways, though Middlesbrough remain within touching distance.
Ephron Mason-Clark scored the decisive goal as Championship leaders Coventry City snapped a two-game winless run by beating Bristol City 1-0.
Frank Lampard's team came into Saturday's clash having seen their lead at the summit cut down after losing to Ipswich Town and drawing with Preston North End.
But they got back on track at The Coventry Building Society Arena, with Mason-Clark finishing from close range in the 64th minute. Haji Wright and Bobby Thomas also hit the woodwork for Coventry.
However, the visitors also struck the post through Sinclair Armstrong, who had a goal disallowed, too, and Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth came up big to deny Fally Mayulu late on.
Coventry are five points clear at the top, with Middlesbrough keeping themselves within reach by beating Queens Park Rangers 3-1.
David Strelec, Morgan Whittaker and Tommy Conway put Boro into a 3-0 lead at the Riverside, while Nicolas Madsen pulled one back for QPR from the penalty spot.
Preston continue to build plenty of momentum in their promotion push, after a 2-1 win over Oxford United saw them move into third. Jordan Storey and Daniel Jebbison were on target for Paul Heckingbottom's side.
Leicester City, meanwhile, saw off Ipswich 3-1 at the King Power Stadium.
At the other end of the standings, Norwich City claimed a confidence-boosting 2-1 victory over Southampton, with Jovon Makama's double securing the points at Carrow Road. The Canaries are now just two points behind Oxford, though they remain in the bottom three.
Data Debrief: Rushworth gives Coventry nine lives
It was a great day for Rushworth between the sticks, as he pulled off nine saves to frustrate Bristol City and help Lampard's Coventry preserve their clean sheet.
The Robins created chances worth 1.69 expected goals, while Coventry's 21 attempts were worth a combined 1.64 xG.
Boro had a rather more simple time of it against QPR as they kept up the heat in second. Hayden Hackney was a star performer in their midfield, creating four chances, including providing an assist for Strelec's opener.
