LONDON, Feb 24 — Mohamed Diame's second-half winner at Ipswich Town ensured that Hull City stayed top of England's second-tier Championship with a 1-0 victory, as all of the top four won yesterday.

Steve Bruce's Hull were fresh from holding Arsenal to a 0-0 draw in the FA Cup at the weekend, and they kept their promotion bid on track against an Ipswich side recently distracted by off-field matters, with the club avoiding a winding-up order.

The only goal of the game at Portman Road arrived in the 49th minute when Diame latched onto a cross from Scotland defender Andy Robertson to keep Hull a point clear of Burnley at the top.

Sean Dyche's Burnley stayed right on Hull's coat-tails, although they have played a game more, as they edged past Nottingham Forest 1-0 at Turf Moor.

Welsh striker Sam Vokes gave his Euro 2016 credentials a boost by scoring his tenth goal of the season, tapping in a square ball from strike-partner Andre Gray midway through the second period.

Middlesbrough picked up a much-needed three points, as they ended a five-match winless streak by beating Cardiff City 3-1 to stay third.

Aitor Karanka's side had not won at the Riverside Stadium since January 2, and they fell behind early on to a fantastic strike from Cardiff midfielder Fabio.

Boro's Spanish manager will be pleased with the way his side fought back though, although they needed a slice of luck to get back on level terms when Matthew Connolly contrived to head into his own net.

The hosts were much improved in the second 45 minutes with January signing Jordan Rhodes becoming increasingly influential.

His headed pass was slammed into the roof of the net by Uruguay international Gaston Ramirez to put Boro into the lead.

Grant Leadbitter had a penalty saved by David Marshall, but it did not cost the midfielder, as David Nugent added a third less than two minutes later.

Fourth-placed Brighton and Hove Albion sent Bristol City deeper into relegation trouble by putting four past the Robins at Ashton Gate.

Jamie Murphy and Sam Baldock put the visitors two up inside 21 minutes and Israeli Tomer Hemed added a third after half-time.

A miserable day for City was completed by a Mark Little own goal and a Kieran Agard missed penalty as it finished 4-0.

Elsewhere, Sheffield Wednesday in fifth were held 1-1 at home by Queens Park Rangers, while Birmingham City moved to within three points of the final play-off spot by edging struggling Bolton Wanderers 1-0.

Preston North End's unlikely play-off challenge continued with a fourth consecutive win, 2-1 over bottom club Charlton Athletic. — AFP