CHAMPIONSHIP

CHAMPIONSHIP leaders Leicester saw their four-match winning streak end at the hands of Middlesbrough, but remain nine points clear at the summit after their 2-1 defeat.

Finn Azaz and Sam Silvera netted to put Boro in charge at halftime and it took the Foxes until the 85th minute to reply, Jamie Vardy stepping off the bench to grab a goal. The result solidified the visitors in mid-table but pegged Leicester back for the first time since their last loss on January 13.

Leeds are their nearest challengers in second, nipping ahead of Southampton as they banked three points in the early kick-off.

They ran out 2-0 winners at Plymouth, Willy Gnonto opening the scoring early on and Georginio Rutter finishing things off midway through the second half.

At the other end of the table, Rotherham are rooted to the bottom after losing at home and watching fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday win.

The Owls beat Millwall 2-0, with forwards Anthony Musaba and Ike Ugbo getting the business done before half-time. Substitute Ashley Fletcher was sent off for two yellow cards, but his absence did not cause any undue drama.

For the Millers it is now four defeats in a row and no wins since

Boxing Day as Yaser Asprilla’s goal just before the hour mark settled it.

The other side in the bottom three, QPR, also took all three points as Ilias Chair nabbed the only goal at Bristol City.

Tony Mowbray’s reunion with Sunderland, who sacked him in December, ended in victory for his Birmingham side. They were 2-1 winners, Jordan James and Koji Miyoshi wiping out Jack Clarke’s opener.

Coventry occupied the final play-off spot at full-time, sitting sixth after edging a 1-0 win at Stoke. Ellis Simms was the goalscorer, converting in the 51st minute, leaving the Sky Blues just ahead of Norwich and Hull on goal difference.

The Tigers kept pace with a win of their own, with Jacob Greaves to thank for a last-gasp 2-1 triumph at Huddersfield.

The Terriers, in their final game before Andre Breitenreiter’s arrival as manager, went behind to Greaves after just seven minutes and levelled in stoppage time through Jack Rudoni. Greaves popped up again in the closing seconds, reclaiming the lead and securing the points.

Blackburn went two in front before being pegged back 2-2 by Preston, all four goals coming in an action-packed first half.