The Tigers were grateful to a goal from Stuart Green after they had fallen behind to a strike from Andy Preece (pictured) at Brunton Park.
Doncaster now sit just a point behind in second after a goal from Gregg Blundell on 45 minutes was enough to give them the win over Macclesfield.
Oxford slipped up at Yeovil as Andy Bishop's strike on 29 minutes gave Gary Johnson's side all three points.
Mansfield continued their promotion push with a win at Bootham Crescent against York City.
Liam Lawrence and Richard Pacquette gave The Stags a two goal lead and, despite Lee Nogan pulling one back for the hosts, they managed to hang on to remain in touch with the top three.
Huddersfield solidified their play-off place with 1-0 win over promotion rivals Torquay at Plainmoor.
The long journey to the South Coast from Yorkshire proved profitable as Nathan Clarke netted on 71 minutes to seal the win. They were forced to hang on for the win after Tony Carss was given his marching orders.
The battle between Lincoln and Scunthorpe ended all square thanks to Cleveland Taylor's late equaliser for The Iron.
Taylor, on loan from Premiership side Bolton, found the net with just eight minutes to go to cancel out Peter Gain's strike ten minutes before half-time.
Southend continued their fine home form with a commanding victory over Kidderminster.
The Roots Hall crowd were treated to a fine display as two goals from Leon Constantine and a Craig Hinton own goal gave them plenty to cheer about.
Northampton boss Colin Calderwood will be a happy manager after his team registered a 3-1 home win over Rochdale.
The visitors had taken the lead through Kevin Townson but the dismissal of Gary Jones, playing his first game since signing a permanent deal with the Spotland outfit, turned the game on its head.
Chris Hargreaves levelled matters on 69 and two goals in the last ten minutes from Paul Reid and Magno Viera saw the hosts claim the spoils.
Gareth Seddon bagged a goal inside two minutes for Bury and that early effort proved to be enough to see off Cambridge.
Cash-strapped Darlington made it two away wins on the trot as they thumped Bristol Rovers 3-0.
All the goals came in the last 16 minutes as Craig Liddle finally broke the deadlock on 74 and a brace from Barry Conlon on 80 and 90 wrapped up the points.
A single strike from John Brough proved enough for Cheltenham against managerless Boston.
Click below for match summaries:
Division Three
Bristol Rovers 0-3 Darlington
Bury 1-0 Cambridge
Carlisle 1-1 Hull
Cheltenham 1-0 Boston
Doncaster 1-0 Macclesfield
Lincoln 1-1 Scunthorpe
Northampton 3-1 Rochdale
Southend 3-0 Kidderminster
Torquay 0-1 Huddersfield
Yeovil 1-0 Oxford
York 1-2 Mansfield
Click here for an updated Division Three table.
