London: Frank Lampard’s Coventry are on the brink of promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years after beating Derby 3-2 on Friday, while Millwall usurped Middlesbrough from second place in the Championship.
Jack Rudoni came off the bench to score twice as Coventry opened up an 11-point lead at the top of the table.
Frank Onyeka put Lampard’s men, who have won eight of their last nine games, ahead after 12 minutes.
Ben Brereton Diaz levelled twice for Derby, either side of Rudoni’s first goal just five minutes after being introduced as a second-half substitute.
But Rudoni’s towering header 10 minutes from time edged a five-goal thriller.
Coventry also moved 12 points clear of third-placed Middlesbrough with just six games remaining.
Josh Coburn came back to haunt Boro with a second-half double as Millwall won 2-1 at the Riverside to boost their bid for promotion to the top flight for the first time in the Premier League era.
Dael Fry gave Middlesbrough a half-time lead, but their promotion challenge is wilting after a four-game winless run. Coburn’s deflected effort levelled just before the hour and he won the game four minutes from time with an emphatic fashion from Barry Bannan’s pass.
“I think sometimes in football some things are written in the stars a little bit,” said Millwall boss Alex Neil of Coburn, who spent four years at the Riverside.
“The second goal was one he’ll remember and I’m sure his family will remember forever.”
Fourth-placed Ipswich were not in action as their scheduled opponents Southampton are in FA Cup quarter-final action against Arsenal on Saturday.
