Championship: Leeds loosen grip on league lead as Middlesbrough miss chance to apply pressure

Goals from Sam Clucas and Joe Allen against Leeds gave Nathan Jones his first success as Stoke manager

A controversial week ended in defeat for Leeds (PA)

Leeds' lead at the top of the Championship table is down to only one point after Marcelo Bielsa's side suffered a 2-1 defeat at Stoke.

A controversial week, in which head coach Bielsa admitted to having all their Championship opponents watched in training this season, got no better at the bet365 Stadium as second-half goals from Sam Clucas and Joe Allen gave Nathan Jones his first success as Stoke manager.

Allen scored after Leeds had Pontus Jansson sent off but the 10 men still managed to get on the scoresheet, with Ezgjan Alioski replying deep into stoppage time.

Norwich's home win against Birmingham on Friday night means they are right behind Bielsa's side, with the top two in the Championship set to meet at Elland Road on February 2.

With Sheffield United not in action until later on Saturday and West Brom not playing until Monday, Middlesbrough had the chance to make things even more congested in the race for the automatic promotion place, but they had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Millwall.

Jed Wallace put the Lions in front in the first half and it looked like it would be enough for all the points, until Jordan Hugill's last-minute penalty levelled things up.

Derby maintained their grip on the final play-off spot with a 2-1 win against Reading. Duane Holmes and Harry Wilson scored to give the Rams the half-time lead at Pride Park Stadium before substitute Sone Aluko pulled a goal back for Reading, who remain in the relegation zone.

Bristol City are still breathing down the Rams' necks after they ruined Martin O'Neill's Nottingham Forest homecoming with a 1-0 victory at the City Ground. Famara Diedhiou struck the decisive blow midway through the second half as O'Neill's first game as Reds boss ended in defeat.

Hull saw their six-game winning run in the Championship halted by a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa, but the point moved them up two places to eighth in the table.

Tammy Abraham helped get Villa out of trouble against Hull (Action Images)

The Tigers looked on course to extend their victorious streak when goals from Jarrod Bowen and Goebel Evandro put them in control. However, James Chester headed Villa back into the match just before half-time and Tammy Abraham netted the equaliser after 64 minutes.

Ipswich remain rooted to the bottom of the table after a 2-0 loss at Blackburn. Danny Graham, from the penalty spot, and substitute Joe Nuttall were on the scoresheet for Rovers, who slip a place in the standings to ninth.

Rotherham remain just above the bottom three after losing 4-2 at home to Brentford, who led after only two minutes through Kamohelo Mokotjo's strike. Jon Taylor equalised to send the Millers into the break level but Said Benrahma quickly restored the Bees' advantage in the second half.

A Ezri Konsa own goal got Rotherham all-square once more but Mokotjo and Neal Maupay struck again to extend Brentford's unbeaten league run to six games.

Steven Fletcher's 62nd-minute goal saw Sheffield Wednesday defeat Wigan 1-0 at Hillsborough while Preston pulled away from relegation danger after winning 4-1 at QPR.

North End powered into a comfortable lead courtesy of efforts from Jayden Stockley, Jordan Storey and Alan Browne. Matt Smith headed a late reply for the Hoops but Brad Potts restored the three-goal cushion in the 87th minute.

PA