Southampton moved three points clear at the top of the Championship with a 2-0 win over Barnsley, while promotion rivals West Ham were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Doncaster on Saturday.
Nigel Adkins' Saints are now unbeaten in nine league matches after cruising to victory at St Mary's thanks to goals from midfielder Adam Lallana either side of half-time.
Lallana opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a fine finish from the edge of the area after a Rickie Lambert knockdown.
And Southampton doubled their advantage after 54 minutes when Japan forward Tadanari Lee skipped past Scott Wiseman and cut the ball back for Lallana to tap in from close range.
Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele denied Lallana his hat-trick with a superb stop, but the damage had already been done.
Southampton's victory was even sweeter as West Ham once again failed to impress in front of their own fans at Upton Park.
Sam Allardyce's team have drawn their last three home matches and the east Londoners are in danger of losing their hold on an automatic promotion place.
Kevin Nolan's ninth goal of the season capped a dominant start for the Hammers, but they took their foot off the gas and were punished when James Coppinger levelled in the 73rd minute.
West Ham's slip-up allowed third placed Reading to move level on points with their promotion rivals.
Brian McDermott's Royals have won their last eight league games and never looked troubled by Leicester in a 3-1 win at the Madejski Stadium.
Mikele Leigertwood thundered home a rasping drive from 20 yards after 15 minutes to put the Royals in control.
Former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts added a second for the hosts with a close-range effort in the 75th minute and Simon Church headed a third before Neil Danns clawed one back for Leicester.
Former Valencia winger Vicente came off the bench to fire Brighton into the play-off places with a late double in his side's 2-0 win over bottom of the table Portsmouth.
The Seagulls stretched their unbeaten league record to 12 games as Vicente's free-kick found the bottom corner in the 75th minute before he sealed the win in stoppage-time.
Birmingham striker Marlon King returned to haunt his former club with the equaliser in his side's 1-1 draw at Coventry.
King left the Ricoh Arena to join Birmingham in the close-season and his 72nd minute equaliser after Gary McSheffrey's opener kept the Blues in the play-off places.
Elsewhere, play-off hopefuls Blackpool were beaten 3-1 at Peterborough, Watford won 2-1 at Derby and Nottingham Forest boosted their survival hopes with a 3-1 win over Millwall.
Hull drew 2-2 with Ipswich and Burnley were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Crystal Palace.