JELLE Vossen scored a first-half hat-trick and former Derby County loan star Patrick Bamford was also on target as Middlesbrough stormed into a 4-0 interval lead at Millwall.
Boro play the Rams next Saturday and will have to mark Vossen closely, after he proved a constant thorn on the Lions' side. The final score was 5-1 and the result means Boro are just two points behind Derby.
Daryl Murphy scored twice as Ipswich came from behind to earn a comfortable victory over Leeds and keep up the pressure on the Rams.
Leeds took the lead with Mirco Antenucci finishing Stephen Warnock's square ball but Murphy equalised with a header from Luke Chambers' cross.
David McGoldrick made it 2-1 from the spot, with another Murphy header before the break stretching their lead.
Christophe Berra later helped the ball over the line to seal the points.
The result means Ipswich remain a point behind Derby while Leeds slip to 16th in the Championship.
Third-placed Bournemouth were 2-1 winners at Wolves while Brentford will be disappointed after losing 2-1 at Huddersfield Town.
Norwich City won 1-0 at Wigan Athletic while Reading and Bolton Wanderers drew 0-0.
Nottingham Forest came back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Charlton Athletic and there was a late winner for Sheffield Wednesday, who beat hosts Blackburn Rovers 2-1.
Cardiff City and Rotherham United shared the spoils in a goalless draw while Blackpool beat Gary Rowett's Birmingham City 1-0.
