Hull wasted a chance to clinch automatic promotion to the Premier League on Saturday, slipping to a 2-0 defeat against struggling Barnsley.
Steve Bruce’s second-placed side would have guaranteed their place among English football’s elite with a victory at Oakwell, but goals from Jacob Mellis and Chris O’Grady ensured the battle to go up from the Championship will be decided on the final weekend of the season.
The Tigers still have their fate in their own hands as they remain one point clear of third-placed Watford, who won 2-1 at Leicester on Friday, and a victory over already-promoted Cardiff at the KC Stadium next Saturday would seal promotion.
Barnsley, who will avoid relegation if they defeat Huddersfield in their last match, took the lead in the fourth minute when Mellis fired home off the crossbar.
O’Grady added the second goal five minutes into the second half and nervous Hull, who only drew with already relegated Bristol City in their previous match, were unable to respond.
Craig Noone earned champions Cardiff a 1-1 draw against Bolton as the Welsh club were presented with the Championship trophy in front of their own fans.
Bolton had looked set to spoil the party when Chris Eagles gave the visitors a 19th minute lead.
But substitute Noone curled home a free-kick in the 68th minute as Cardiff look ahead to their first top-flight campaign for 51 years.
Bolton remain in the play-off places ahead of the final round of fixtures.
Brighton’s spot in the play-offs was confirmed as Gus Poyet’s men won 2-1 in a fiery clash at Leeds where the home side finished with nine men and the visitors ten.
Jordan Rhodes secured Blackburn’s Championship status with an equaliser in the 1-1 draw against fifth placed Crystal Palace, who still need one win from their remaining two matches to book a play-off berth.
Nottingham Forest are also still in the hunt for the play-offs thanks to a 1-0 win at Millwall which left Billy Davies’ side one point outside the top six.
At the other end of the table, Wolves were plunged further into trouble as 10-man Burnley sealed a 2-1 win at Molineux.
Goals from Danny Ings and Martin Paterson were enough for Burnley, although Nouha Dicko got one back for Wolves after Michael Duff saw red for the visitors.
Dean Saunders’s team are three points adrift of safety and must win at Brighton on the final day to stand any chance of survival.
Huddersfield are almost safe after a 3-1 win at Bristol City.
Elsewhere, Blackpool beat Derby 2-1, Ipswich defeated Birmingham 3-1 and Middlesbrough drew 2-2 with Charlton.