Haji Wright scored for the first time since early October as leaders Coventry came from behind to beat Leicester 2-1. Wright came off the bench to secure a crucial three points in the race for promotion.
Jordan James had opened the scoring for Leicester before Ellis Simms equalised shortly after the break. It was a much-needed win for the Sky Blues, whose lead over second-placed Middlesbrough cut to three points after a run of two wins in eight since the start of December.
James scored his ninth league goal of the season at the end of a sumptuous, free-flowing attack. Abdul Fatawu’s forward pass allowed Bobby De Cordova-Reid to pirouette and play in James to sweep home at the near post after 11 minutes.
Roles were reversed five minutes later when James cut the ball back for De Cordova-Reid, who scuffed his shot but still forced a fantastic save from Carl Rushworth, who sprawled to tip the effort over the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Caleb Okoli headed narrowly wide.
Coventry took less than two minutes after half-time to pull themselves level in somewhat fortuitous fashion. Jack Rudoni, who missed three months with a calf injury sustained in the reverse fixture in September, lashed a shot goalwards, the ball rebounded off Simms and nestled in the corner.
The winner came with five minutes of normal time to spare. Leicester failed to clear their lines as the ball bounced in the area and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto took full advantage. The Japanese winger dragged his shot to the far post where a perfectly placed Wright was waiting to slide in and secure Coventry the victory.
Former Blackburn player Sam Szmodics scored a late third goal against his old club as Ipswich extended their unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions with a 3-0 victory at Portman Road. Two goals in the opening 12 minutes set Ipswich on their way and they remain third in the table.
Injury-hit Blackburn conceded an own goal from the debutant Eiran Cashin, while midfielder Jack Taylor scored the second and Szmodics was on target in the 88th minute – to add the gloss – in a match where the hosts spurned a series of chances. Blackburn, who failed to have a shot on target, were left languishing in 20th spot, four points above the relegation zone.
Femi Azeez returned to the club that once released him to inspire Millwall to a 2-0 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road. Goals from Azeez, a Watford youth product until he was let go at the age of 14, and Josh Coburn kept Millwall in the playoff positions and brought a shuddering halt to Watford’s four-game winning run in the Championship.
A stop-start game was delayed by numerous injuries and an incident when a ballboy entered the playing area and caught the ball in the mistaken belief the ball had curled out of play.
This story will be updated