West Brom, like the Boro, failed to take advantage of Newcastle's inactivity by going down 3-1 at Barnsley.
The Tykes, who began the night in the bottom three, went ahead in the 14th minute when Adam Hammill converted from close range after good work from Jon Macken and Iain Hume doubled the lead from the penalty spot when Shelton Martis fouled Macken.
Martis then steered the ball into the back of his own goal with 10 minutes to go, and although Chris Brunt pulled one back late on it was nothing more than a consolation.
Roy Keane was within moments of celebrating his first victory as Ipswich manager before Chris Morgan's injury-time equaliser for Sheffield United forced a 3-3 draw at Bramall Lane.
The Tractor Boys had claimed just two points before the game and normal service appeared to resume when Darius Henderson put United ahead early on.
Jonathan Walters levelled though, and Grant Leadbitter made it 2-1 to Ipswich before Gareth McAuley got a third with 20 minutes to go.
However, Henderson pulled one back as he put the ball into the top corner with Morgan popping up in stoppage time to secure a point after a blunder by Town keeper Richard Wright.
Four goals by Michael Chopra led Cardiff to a 6-1 demolition of Derby.
Peter Whittingham put them ahead early at the Cardiff City Stadium and Chopra extended their advantage shortly before the interval.
Rob Hulse pulled one back for the Rams but it was a false promise as Chopra, who got another three, and Chris Burke led the Welsh team to a comprehensive victory.
Preston, in third, went down to a surprise 2-1 home defeat by Reading.
Reading went into half-time 2-0 to the good for the second consecutive away game having also led Peterborough at London Road.
Simon Church put the Royals ahead just after the half-hour mark with a neat finish and Jimmy Kebe doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time.
A Jon Parkin penalty with five minutes to go gave the Lilywhites some hope but the Royals held on.
Blackpool started the night in fifth but goals by Nicky Maynard and Danny Haynes eased Bristol City to a 2-0 victory at Ashton Gate.
Coventry claimed a 3-2 win over Watford in a see-saw game at Vicarage Road.
Sammy Clingan's fine 20-yard effort fired Chris Coleman's men ahead inside the opening 10 minutes, but Tom Cleverley soon levelled.
Striker Will Hoskins grabbed his first goal of the season eight minutes before the interval to give the Hornets a deserved lead at half-time.
However, two Leon Best goals saw the Sky Blues seal a win.
Plymouth leapfrogged Ipswich at the bottom of the table thanks to a 2-1 win at Peterborough courtesy of goals by Jamie Mackie and Rory Fallon, Craig Mackail-Smith pulling one back. It was the Pilgrims' first win of the campaign.
Doncaster and Swansea shared a 0-0 draw, as did Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday.