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With Frank Lampard's side not playing until Monday, Boro took full advantage, racing into a 3-0 lead by half-time.

Former Preston captain Alan Browne put them ahead in the ninth minute, with Tommy Conway and Morgan Whittaker putting the game to bed before the break.

Jordan Storey was then sent off for a last-man foul on Conway, who was on hand to poke in the rebound of Leo Castledine's saved free-kick to turn in their fourth.

And in the other early kick-off, Millwall kept the pressure on the top four with a 4-0 win of their own over Charlton Athletic.

Kayne Ramsay's early own-goal started proceedings, before late strikes secured the result.

Caleb Taylor doubled their lead in the 81st minute, before Camiel Neghli saw a 91st-minute penalty saved. He then set up Luke Cundle to slot home, before Aidomo Emakhu added their fourth a minute later.

Ipswich Town remain third but are now just one point above Alex Neil's side, after they were stunned in a 3-1 loss to 10-man Sheffield United.

Callum O'Hare, Andre Brooks and Patrick Bamford got the all-important goals for the Blades, despite Jack Clarke's penalty, with Bamford being sent off for two bookings (dissent and simulation).

Hull City are now level on points with them after their 2-1 win over Swansea City. Oli McBurnie's penalty and a Regan Slater goal put Hull in control at the break, but they held out for all three points despite Liam Cullen pulling one back before the hour.

Wrexham, meanwhile, moved into the play-off positions after twice coming from behind to beat Queens Park Rangers 3-2, with substitutes Josh Windass and Oliver Rathbone scoring in the 93rd and 94th minutes, respectively.

Elsewhere, the pressure piled on Leicester City boss Marti Cifuentes after they suffered a 2-1 loss to relegation-threatened Oxford United, who moved within two points of safety.