Championship wrap: Long and Cannon on the mark

Kevin Long was on the mark as Birmingham City cruised to a first win in six games by beating fellow strugglers Rotherham United 2-0.

The Blues took the lead in the fifth minute when on-loan Brighton winger Reda Khadra he bagged his third goal for the Blues.

The home side continued to dominate and deservedly doubled their lead on the 35-minute mark when Long smashed home from close range.

The Millers never truly threatened John Ruddy's goal, but Connor Washington called him into action in the second half when his long-range strike was pushed away.

Preston kept their slim play-off hopes alive as goals from Ireland underage international Tom Cannon and Ched Evans earned them a 2-0 win over strugglers Cardiff in a feisty affair at Deepdale.

Cannon opened the scoring with a blistering second-half strike and Evans sealed the points at the death after Cardiff goalkeeper Jak Alnwick was sent off to extend the Lilywhites' unbeaten run to six games

Kion Etete and Jaden Philogene-Bidace went close for Cardiff but they remain six points above the relegation zone and saw a goalkeeper sent off in stoppage time for the second week running.

Middlesbrough ramped up the pressure on second-placed Sheffield United as the automatic-promotion race heated up.

The Blades seemed to be cruising into the Premier League along with Burnley a few weeks ago, but a 1-0 home defeat to Luton and Boro's 3-1 win at Swansea closed the gap to four points.

Carlton Morris’ 15th goal of the season gave fourth-placed Luton victory at Bramall Lane.

And after Joel Piroe gave the Swans a half-time lead, Aaron Ramsey and Cameron Archer struck in the space of four minutes early in the second half before Chuba Akpom netted his 23rd strike of the campaign from the penalty spot