EFL weekend round-up: Southampton stun Coventry City as Lincoln City extend unbeaten run

By Holly Wright

Southampton boosted their Championship play-off hopes with an impressive victory over Coventry City, while Lincoln City strengthened their grip on top spot in League One.

The Sky Blues continue to lead the way, though they were stunned by the Saints, who continue their late-season surge towards the play-offs.

Elsewhere, in League One, the Imps extend their unbeaten run to a club record of 20 games, setting the pace at the top.

Finally, in League Two, Bromley, Cambridge United and Milton Keynes Dons all tasted victory in the race for automatic promotion.

Here, Holly Wright rounds up the key talking points from another dramatic weekend across the EFL.

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Championship

Saints shock the league leaders

Southampton pulled off a remarkable 2-1 victory at Coventry, moving to within three points of the play-offs and handing the Sky Blues only their second home defeat of the season.

Flynn Downes opened the scoring before Kuryu Matsuki struck late to double the lead.

Coventry pressed for a response, with Liam Kitching denied by Daniel Peretz and Haji Wright coming close twice before leaving the pitch with a groin injury.

Victor Torp’s stoppage-time penalty narrowed the deficit, but Coventry’s lead at the top now stands at seven points.

Southampton extended their unbeaten run to 10 games, climbing to seventh under Tonda Eckert.

Boro left frustrated at home once again

Middlesbrough had to settle for a 1-1 draw at the Riverside Stadium as Adam Randell’s stoppage-time header rescued Bristol City.

Leo Castledine had given Boro an early lead with a powerful strike, while David Strelec missed the chance to seal victory.

This draw halts Middlesbrough’s home momentum, leaving them just two points clear of Millwall and highlighting ongoing inconsistencies despite earlier title hopes.

Rovers cause a stir at the Lions’ Den

Blackburn Rovers overturned a deficit to defeat 10-man Millwall 2-1 at The Den.

Luke Cundle had initially put Millwall ahead with a stunning overhead kick, but Zak Sturge’s controversial red card shifted the game.

Danish striker Mathias Jorgensen scored twice in five minutes to secure Rovers’ first win in five outings.

Meanwhile, the Lions drop to fourth, two points off Boro, while Blackburn climb to 19th, three points above the relegation zone – a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change.

Baggies end winless run

West Bromwich Albion snapped a 13-match winless streak with a 3-0 victory over Hull City.

Josh Maja, Aune Heggebo, and Isaac Price all found the net, with the Tigers reduced to ten men after Charlie Hughes’ red card.

The Baggies climbed to 21st, one point above Oxford United, while Hull’s promotion push took a setback despite remaining fifth.

The win provides a crucial boost for Albion’s survival bid.

League One

Imps extend unbeaten run with another win

After defeating Cardiff City last week to take the top spot, Lincoln moved four points clear with a 3-1 victory over Stockport County.

Jack Moylan gave Michael Skubala’s side an early lead, but Stockport fought back through former Imps loanee Jack Diamond.

Late goals from Tendayi Darikwa and Alfie Lloyd secured the win for the leaders.

Lincoln remain comfortably in first, while the Hatters sit seventh outside the play-offs on goal difference, but hold two games in hand, keeping their hopes alive.

Trotters come from behind to salvage a draw

Bolton Wanderers maintained third place after rescuing a 2-2 draw at Rotherham United.

A brace from Sam Nombe put the hosts ahead in the first half, but Bolton fought back with goals from Chris Forino and Sam Dalby.

The comeback highlighted Bolton’s resilience as they continue a rather impressive unbeaten run.

For Rotherham, though, they still remain in the relegation zone, five points behind Wigan Athletic, and are under pressure to pick up wins.

Latics climb to safety with victory over Bantams

Wigan moved out of the bottom three with a 2-0 win over Bradford City.

Caylan Vickers opened the scoring in the 20th minute, followed by Joe Taylor’s decisive goal late in the second half.

The victory pushed the Latics clear of danger, while Bradford’s poor away form continued.

However, the Bantams still sit comfortably in third, eight points ahead of Stockport. Bradford dominated possession and created chances but were unable to convert, while Wigan’s efficiency on the break proved decisive.

League Two

Ravens remain on course for promotion

Bromley stretched their unbeaten League Two streak to 19 games with a 1-0 victory over 10-man Bristol Rovers, maintaining their two-point lead at the top of the table.

Will Hondermarck’s strike in the 18th minute proved decisive. Rovers created a few clear chances and saw substitute Shaq Forde sent off late for two yellow cards.

The Ravens dominated possession and came close to doubling their lead through Corey Whitely and Jesse Debrah.

The result consolidates Bromley’s top spot, while Rovers, 19th and eight points clear of relegation, can take positives from limiting the league leaders to a single goal.

U’s crush Gills to strengthen promotion hopes

Cambridge United powered to a 5-0 victory over Gillingham, opening up a four point gap over Notts County, who dropped points to Chesterfield.

Dom Ball scored within two minutes, before Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, an own goal by Lenni Cirino, Louis Appere, and Shayne Lavery completed the rout.

The Gills struggled to respond and conceded five for the second time in five days.

The U’s commanding performance strengthens their automatic promotion bid, while Gillingham remain outside the play-off picture but clear of the relegation fight.

Dons edge past Robins with late winner

MK Dons claimed a vital 2-1 victory over promotion rivals Swindon Town thanks to Marvin Ekpiteta’s 79th-minute header from Scott Hogan’s cross.

Alex Gilbey had opened the scoring before Ollie Clarke’s equaliser gave Swindon hope.

Both sides created opportunities, but the decisive header secured three points for the visitors.

MK Dons move seven points clear of fourth-placed Notts County and strengthen their automatic promotion push, while Swindon, winless in four games, drop to fifth but remain seven points above eighth-placed Grimsby, with a game in hand.

Spireites punish Magpies after bizarre sending off

Notts County showed resilience but fell 3-2 to Chesterfield after Oliver Norburn was bizarrely sent off in the 19th minute for chucking Armando Dobra’s boot off the pitch.

Chesterfield took the lead through Dobra, but County fought back with an own goal by Sil Swinkels and a close-range finish from Matty Platt to restore parity.

Liam Mandeville’s 66th-minute header ultimately settled the contest.

Spireites remain seventh in the final play-off spot, whilst the Magpies suffered a setback as they fell further behind in the race for automatic promotion.

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