Mason-Clark's stunner sinks Stoke to boost Coventry promotion push

Coventry stepped up their bid to reach the Premier League with a dramatic 1-0 win at Stoke on Saturday, thanks to Ephron Mason-Clark's stunning strike.

Mason-Clark netted in the 86th minute with an eye-catching bicycle kick from Ellis Simms' corner.

Frank Lampard's side had been frustrated by former Coventry boss Mark Robins, whose Stoke team boast the best defence in the second tier.

But Mason-Clark's moment of magic sealed Coventry's eighth victory in their last nine matches and ended third-placed Stoke's three-match winning run.

Coventry are five points clear of second-placed Middlesbrough, who beat Birmingham 2-1 but look set to lose manager Rob Edwards to Wolves after he was given permission to speak to the Premier League strugglers.

John Eustace returned to haunt Blackburn, spoiling his former club's 150th anniversary celebrations as Derby won 2-1 at Ewood Park.

After controversially leaving Blackburn to join the Rams in February, Eustace endured a hostile reception from Rovers fans on his first return.

But Derby striker Carlton Morris headed the 19th-minute opener before Patrick Agyemang nodded home on the stroke of halftime.

Yuki Ohashi's 66th-minute penalty reduced the deficit, but Derby clinched their fifth successive win to move into contention for a play-off berth.

SAINTS BEAT WEDNESDAY

Caspar Jander and Finn Azaz netted their first Southampton goals as caretaker boss Tonda Eckert enjoyed a 3-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday.

Under-21 boss Eckert took charge after Will Still was sacked last weekend and has since won successive matches to ease the Saints' fears of another relegation after they crashed out of the Premier League last term.

Jordan James headed the stoppage-time winner as Leicester came from behind to beat lowly Norwich 2-1.

Josh Windass' penalty fired Wrexham to a 1-0 win against Charlton, while struggling Sheffield United were held to a 0-0 draw by QPR at Bramall Lane.

Ipswich thrashed Swansea 4-1 in south Wales and West Bromwich Albion beat Oxford 2-1 at the Hawthorns.

Joe Gelhardt scored his fifth goal in six games as Hull defeated Portsmouth 3-2 at the MKM Stadium.