Midweek action from the Sky Bet Championship saw 27 goals with leaders Leeds showing the way and Boro moving back up to second.
Leeds United got back to winning ways in emphatic fashion at Elland Road against Preston North End on Tuesday night. Skipper Liam Cooper gave Marcelo Bielsa's side a first-half lead and a double from Tyler Roberts completed a 3-0 win late on.
Brentford missed out on the chance to make it three consecutive wins, and keep up the chase on Leeds. Neal Maupay had given the Bees the lead against bottom side, Ipswich Town but Kayden Jackson scored a late equaliser to earn Paul Hurst's side a point.
West Bromwich Albion moved into third spot, and above opponents Bristol City, when they came out on top of a six-goal thriller at the Hawthorns. The a brace from Jay Rodriguez, as well as goals from Dwight Gayle and Harvey Barnes gave Darren Moore's side a 4-2 victory.
Two Villa Park debutants ensured Aston Villa returned to winning ways. Goals from Tammy Abraham and Yannick Bolasie sent the Villans to all three points.
Just goal difference keeps Wigan Athletic outside a Play-Off spot. The Latics were 2-1 victors over Hull City at home. Elsewhere, Stoke City were 1-0 winners against Swansea City, and Derby County and Blackburn Rovers played out a goalless draw.
On Wednesday night, Middlesbrough reclaimed the second spot they had passed up at the weekend after suffering their first defeat of the season with a 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers – on the occasion of Phil Parkinson's 100th game in charge of the Trotters.
Nottingham Forest, Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City all climbed up the table with wins over Sheffield Wednesday, Millwall and Reading respectively.
Chris Wilder also clocked up a century of games as Sheffield United boss but he too couldn't mark the milestone with three points, after the Blades were held to a goalless draw by unbeaten Birmingham City – their sixth draw in eight games so far this season.
