Derby extended their lead at the top, while Sunderland moved into second spot.
Derby extended their lead at the top of the Championship with a 2-1 win at Barnsley.David Jones broke the deadlock after 11 minutes and Matt Oakley doubled the lead three minutes into the second half.
In the build-up to the second goal Barnsley goalkeeper David Lucas picked up a serious injury and he had to be replaced by Nick Colgan.
Sam Togwell reduced the arrears in the dying seconds, but Derby held on to take all three points.
Sunderland moved into the second automatic promotion spot with a 1-0 victory at Cardiff.
Ross Wallace grabbed the only goal of the game 18 minutes from time to send Roy Keane's men into second spot.
Southampton got their promotion hopes back on track with a stunning 6-0 win at fellow promotion hopefuls Wolves.
Marek Saganowski set Southampton on their way with the opener on 24 minutes and they were gifted a second goal three minutes later with Gary Breen putting through his own net.
Saganowski made it 3-0 for Southampton on 36 minutes and Michael Kightly blew a chance to get Wolves back in the game right on the stroke of half-time when he missed from the penalty spot.
Leon Best put the game beyond Wolves with Southampton's fourth goal of the game ten minutes after the break.
Andrew Surman got in on the act with Southampton's fifth on 79 minutes and Saganowski completed his hat-trick seven minutes from time to cap a miserable day for Wolves.
West Brom moved into fifth with a 2-1 win at struggling Queens Park Rangers.
Kevin Phillips fired West Brom in front on 48 minutes, but Dexter Blackstock drew Rangers level on 63 minutes.
Soon after Paul Furlong saw his penalty saved by Dean Kiely and he was left to rue that miss when Zoltan Gera grabbed the winner for West Brom six minutes from time.
Stoke kept their play-off hopes alive with a 4-2 victory over Leicester at the Britannia Stadium.
Darren Kenton gave Leicester the lead on 16 minutes with his first goal for the club, but the lead proved short-lived with Jon Parkin equalising just two minutes later.
Ricardo Fuller fired Stoke in front from the penalty spot on 29 minutes only for Elvis Hammond to draw Leicester level just before the hour mark.
Mamady Sidibe restored Stoke's lead on 79 minutes and Liam Lawrence made sure of the win with Stoke's fourth in the final minute.
Kevin Blackwell began life as Luton manager with a priceless point after a goalless draw at fellow strugglers Burnley.
Dean Windass inspired Hull to a superb 4-0 win over Southend with a superb hat-trick to fire them further clear of trouble.
Windass broke the deadlock two minutes before the break and he added his second on 73 minutes.
The veteran striker completed his treble on 79 minutes and Sam Ricketts sealed the rout with Hull's fourth nine minutes from time.
Colchester kept their slim promotion hopes alive with a 3-0 win over Norwich at Layer Road.
Jamie Cureton came back to haunt his old club with the opener on 52 minutes and Richard Garcia doubled the lead 12 minutes later.
Chris Iwelumo added a third on 73 minutes to seal the success for Colchester.
Ipswich overran ten-man Plymouth 3-0 at Portman Road.
Plymouth were always facing an uphill battle after Mathias Doumbe was sent-off after just two minutes for a professional foul.
Ipswich made their numerical advantage count when Owen Garvan fired Town in front on nine minutes and Alan Lee doubled the lead six minutes later.
Danny Haynes put the icing on the cake for Ipswich with their third goal in the dying seconds.
Sheffield Wednesday leapfrogged Crystal Palace in the table with a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park.
Deon Burton gave Wednesday the lead on 57 minutes, but Clinton Morrison drew Palace level ten minutes from time.
Marcus Tudgay netted the winner for Wednesday five minutes from time.
Click on fixture for full match summary
Barnsley 1-2 Derby County
Burnley 0-0 Luton Town
Cardiff City 0-1 Sunderland
Colchester United 3-0 Norwich City
Crystal Palace 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday
Hull City 4-0 Southend United
Ipswich Town 3-0 Plymouth Argyle
Queens Park Rangers 1-2 West Bromwich Albion
Stoke City 4-2 Leicester City
Wolverhampton 0-6 Southampton
