Matt Crooks scored two goals and set up another as Middlesbrough beat Birmingham City to record a sixth win in seven games and return to the Championship play-offs.
Crooks headed in from Howson's deep cross to give the visitors a lead in the second half.
Two minutes later, the former Rotherham player doubled the lead after pouncing on a poor touch by George Friend and guiding the ball past John Ruddy.
After Auston Trusty nodded a Troy Deeney cross back across goal, the Blues had a chance to win.
Chuba Akpom made the points safe with five minutes left when he rounded Ruddy before slotting in.
Millwall and Luton are tied on goal difference but Millwall have a better record.
In a first half of few clear chances, Akpom had a headed wide in the opening 20 minutes, while Jutkiewicz volleyed narrowly over just before the break.
Marcus Forss was denied by Ruddy after the restart after he had been found with a long pass forward.
No error from Howson's cross led to the opening score. The Blues defence was undone by another ball from the back when Ruddy was unable to control the ball and it went to Crooks.
Blues boss John Eustace responded with a quadruple substitution and Deeney played a big part in their goal when his deep cross from the right-hand side of the box was kept alive by Trusty and converted by Chong.
With five minutes left,Boro sealed all three points when Akpom's through-ball was released by Crooks after he burst forward.
John Eustace spoke to the radio station.
This is not an easy job, but it has been difficult. The squad has been tested with injuries and had a great first half of the season.
The first half was a good one for us. In the first half we were very solid, but in the second half they came through.
I can't fault the effort, desire and attitude of some of the boys. We have to move on and get ready for the next thing.
The fans were behind us all the time. It will take time to turn it around, and we need to stick together.
The manager of a team told a radio station.
It's always a tough place to come and I'm delighted with the result.
When we needed to, we got good goals and killed the game off.
The team is well organised and makes it hard for you. The way we got control of the game made me very happy.
Things are going well at the moment but we need to keep improving.
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