West Ham hit Brighton for six, while Portsmouth condemned Doncaster to relegation in a seven-goal thriller.
Hammers go goal crazy, Doncaster go down, Pompey still alive
West Ham hit Brighton for six, while Portsmouth condemned Doncaster to relegation in a seven-goal thriller.
West Ham boosted their automatic promotion hopes with a stunning 6-0 win over play-off hopefuls
Brighton at Upton Park.
The home side raced into a 3-0 lead in the opening 11 minutes thanks to two goals from Ricardo Vaz Te and Kevin Nolan's effort.
Vaz Te completed his hat-trick just after the hour mark and further goals from Carlton Cole and Gary Dicker's own goal completed the rout to move West Ham to within three points of second-placed Southampton.
Doncaster dropped down to League One after a dramatic 4-3 defeat to
Portsmouth as Pompey ensured they live to fight for another day.
Doncaster raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening five minutes through Habib Beye and Fabien Robert.
Beye was sent off on 57 minutes for a professional foul and Greg Halford netted from the resulting penalty.
Halford drew Portsmouth level with his second penalty on 65 minutes only for James Coppinger to restore Doncaster's lead two minutes later.
Dave Kitson levelled matters again in the final minute and there was still time for Marko Futacs to grab the winner for Portsmouth in stoppage-time.
Birmingham came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with struggling
Bristol City at St Andrew's.
Goals from Stephen Pearson (21) and Jon Stead (33) put the visitors in control, but Birmingham hit back with efforts from Marlon King (44) and Nikola Zigic (61) to ensure Bristol City are still not safe.
Coventry picked up a priceless point in their battle against relegation after a 1-1 draw at
Burnley.
Clive Platt's second-half goal cancelled out Charlie Austin's opener to keep Coventry's hopes of avoiding the drop alive
Nottingham Forest moved a step closer to survival with a goalless draw with play-off hopefuls
Blackpool at the City Ground.
Cardiff cemented their place in the top six with a 1-0 victory at
Barnsley. Liam Lawrence scored the only goal of the game to give the Bluebirds all three points.
Middlesbrough boosted their play-off bid with a 1-0 win over
Derby at Pride Park. Curtis Main grabbed the all-important goal for Boro 10 minutes from time.
Hull's slim play-off hopes suffered a blow after they were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man
Watford at Vicarage Road.
James Chester have Hull the lead after just four minutes, but Troy Deeney drew Watford level eight minutes later.
Adrian Mariappa was sent off in the second half for Watford, but the home side held on for a point.
Millwall dented
Leicester's charge for the play-offs with a 2-1 win at The Den.
Tottenham loanee Harry Kane fired Millwall in front on 23 minutes and Andy Keogh doubled the lead from the penalty spot after 55 minutes.
Danny Drinkwater pulled a goal back for Leicester eight minutes from time, but it was not enough for Nigel Pearson's men.
Leeds ended a run of three straight defeats as they came from behind to beat
Peterborough 4-1 at Elland Road.
Billy Paynter made the most of a rare appearance with two goals with Ross McCormack also netting a brace to cancel out Joe Newell's opener.
Crystal Palace and
Ipswich shared the spoils after a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park.
Jason Scotland's goal just before the hour mark cancelled out Chris Martin's opener for Palace.
