Bristol City remain bottom of the table, but recorded their first home win of the season as they defeated Reading 1-0.
Danny Haynes scored the only goal of the game just before the half hour mark at Ashton Gate.
Preston drop to 23rd after the loss, with Crystal Palace going above them to 22nd thanks to their 2-1 success at Norwich City.
Grant Holt had put the Canaries ahead, but Julian Bennett levelled and Anthony Gardner completed the win.
Middlesbrough are only out of the bottom three on goal difference, and were thankful they only conceded one as they lost out to Nottingham Forest 1-0.
Sven-Goran Eriksson tasted success as Leicester City manager for the first time, as the Foxes secured an impressive 2-1 win at Leeds United.
Hull City dropped to 19th - one place below the Iron - after a 1-0 home loss at the hands of fellow strugglers Sheffield United.
Portsmouth's surge away from the relegation zone continued with a 1-0 victory at Millwall thanks to a penalty conversion from Liam Lawrence.
Queens Park Rangers saw their gap at the top of the table narrowed to two points after they were held to a goalless draw at Swansea City.
They had goalkeeper Paddy Kenny to thank for securing them a point, as he kept out a penalty kick from David Cotterill after 38 minutes.
A late goal from Jay Bothroyd gave Cardiff City a 2-1 win over Coventry at the Ricoh Arena to move closer to Rangers.
Peter Whittingham had put the Welsh side ahead, with Gary McSheffrey levelling for the Sky Blues.
Watford moved up to third after a 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town. Burnley were 3-0 winners over Barnsley at Turf Moor, while Derby County secured a 3-2 victory at Doncaster Rovers.