Ipswich Town have returned to the top of the Sky Bet Championship for the first time since

Ipswich Town have returned to the top of the Sky Bet Championship for the first time since December, thanks to a hard-fought win over Blackburn Rovers.

Kieran McKenna’s Tractor Boys secured the three points at Ewood Park thanks to an early goal from Conor Chaplin, who pounced on mistakes made by promotion rivals Leeds United and Leicester City.

The Foxes had the opportunity to lay down a marker in the midday kickoff, but were defeated 1-0 by Bristol City thanks to Anis Mehmeti’s fantastic second-half strike.

Leeds United were forced to settle for a draw after falling behind twice against Watford, with Crysencio Summerville’s exquisite curler and a poacher’s strike from substitute Mateo Joseph securing a point for Daniel Farke’s side.

Meanwhile, the race for the final Play-Off spot took another turn when Stoke City stunned Hull City 2-0, leaving the Tigers six points behind sixth-placed Norwich City, with Coventry City and Preston North End winning to keep pace with the Canaries.

In Sky Bet League One, Portsmouth moved one step closer to automatic promotion by defeating Wycombe Wanderers 3-1, with a Colby Bishop double keeping Pompey five points ahead of Derby County, who beat Blackpool thanks to a cracker from loanee Ebou Adams.

The top two gave the chasing pack more breathing room as Bolton Wanderers, Peterborough United, and Barnsley all dropped points on Good Friday.

Ian Evatt’s Bolton were held to a goalless draw by Stevenage, while Peterborough and Barnsley suffered shock home defeats to Carlisle United (1-3) – with Jon Mellish scoring a hat-trick for the Cumbrians – and Cambridge United (0-2).

Meanwhile, Oxford United’s 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury Town opened the way for Lincoln City to go into a Play-Off berth, with Jovon Makama scoring in the 90th minute.

At the other end of the table, Port Vale and Cheltenham Town improved their chances of survival with victories against struggling Burton Albion. Darren Moore’s Vale made it back-to-back victories by defeating Bristol Rovers 2-0, while the Robins won a six-pointer over second-bottom Fleetwood Town courtesy to a late Aidan Keena goal.

Stockport County moved to the top of the Sky Bet League Two table after a 3-0 win over Forest Green Rovers.

The Hatters were given the opportunity to recover top spot after Mansfield Town lost 2-0 to third-placed Wrexham AFC in the day’s game, with Paul Mullin netting both goals to bring his record to 99 for the Red Dragons.
MK Dons responded perfectly to their 5-0 devastation of Stockport last week, winning by the same scoreline against Walsall, due primarily to substitute Max Dean, who scored twice and set up two more during his 35-minute cameo.

Barrow AFC remain in contention for automatic promotion after a comfortable 3-1 victory over Grimsby Town, while Gillingham and Crewe Alexandra drew 0-0 to maintain their Play-Off status.

In the fight for survival, Sutton United won 2-1 against Salford City thanks to Olly Sanderson’s double, but they are still a point behind Colchester United after Jay Mingi’s goal in stoppage time completed a late comeback against Newport County.