Southampton kept their automatic promotion hopes alive with a convincing victory over Blackburn Rovers, while south-coast rivals Portsmouth did them a huge favour by upsetting second-placed Ipswich Town.

The Saints made it six successive Sky Bet Championship wins with a 3-0 success at St Mary’s, continuing a remarkable turnaround to move within three points of the top two.

Cyle Larin opened the scoring midway through the first half, converting from close range after Cameron Archer had raced in behind and delivered from the left.

The hosts doubled their advantage shortly before the interval in fortuitous fashion, as Ryan Manning was credited after a clearance ricocheted off him and into the net following pressure from Shea Charles.

Blackburn were far more competitive after the break and went close to reducing the deficit when Ryoya Morishita struck the crossbar, but Southampton always carried a threat on the counter.

Archer sealed the points late on, calmly steering home after being picked out by Leo Scienza.

The result consolidated Tonda Eckert’s side fourth in the table and extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 matches.

Relegation-threatened Rovers, who had been unbeaten in five prior to the trip, remain four points clear of the bottom three.

Portsmouth boosted their survival hopes with a stunning home victory against Ipswich Town.

After a tight opening period, Pompey struck twice in quick succession before half-time to take control.

Conor Shaughnessy broke the deadlock by powering home a header from a corner before Colby Bishop reacted quickest in the box to convert after John Swift’s effort had been saved, sparking jubilant scenes at Fratton Park.

John Mousinho’s side held firm after the break to secure three massive points, lifting them to 19th in the table and four points clear of the relegation zone.

Ipswich remain in the automatic promotion places but the defeat narrows the gap to the chasing pack.

The Tractor Boys still have a game in hand but face crucial upcoming fixtures against both Southampton and Middlesbrough as the race for promotion intensifies.

Southampton surge as Portsmouth spring Ipswich shock

Southampton surge as Portsmouth spring Ipswich shock