Saturday 14 January 2017 19:29, UK
Doncaster and Plymouth both came from behind to secure victories and extend the gap between themselves and third-placed Carlisle.
Rovers fell behind at The Hive when Barnet striker John Akinde rounded goalkeeper Ian Lawlor to score his 18th goal of the season.
But Doncaster rallied with two goals from James Coppinger coming either side of John Marquis’ strike to give the visitors’ a 3-1 half-time lead that still stood come the final whistle, with Barnet dropping out of the play-off places as a result.
Plymouth also made life hard for themselves at home to Stevenage, who took the lead after just two minutes through Matt Godden, a player in a rich vein of form having bagged a hat-trick in their win over Newport last week.
Jordan Slew and Jake Jervis then got on the scoresheet to put the Pilgrims in front only for a first half stoppage-time free-kick from Steven Schumacher to level matters for the Hertfordshire club.
Arnold Garita pounced (54) as Plymouth finally took control of the game before substitute David Goodwillie put the result beyond doubt when he slotted home from close range in the second minute of time added-on to seal a 4-2 victory.
Carlisle had to settle for a point from their match with Morecambe at Brunton Park.
The Shrimps started well and took the lead through Aaron Wildig but were undone in the second half, with Dean Winnard dismissed for a second yellow card before Charlie Wyke notched his 17th goal of the campaign a minute later (74) to make it 1-1.
Portsmouth closed the gap on the Cumbrians to just two points after they defeated Leyton Orient 2-1.
Conor Chaplin scored both goals for Pompey and would have had a hat-trick had he not missed an earlier penalty, with Gavin Massey’s driven shot into the top corner between those efforts proving to be no more than a consolation.
Luton moved back into the play-off places as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Crewe, despite having defender Alan Sheehan sent off for a second bookable offence.
Veteran striker Ryan Lowe gave the Railwaymen the lead but Luton drew level when Jack Marriott fired in a left-footed shot just before the break.
Sheehan was then dismissed for a crude challenge on the edge of his own penalty area but the Hatters showed their mettle and clinched the winner when Jake Gray forced home a deflected Danny Hylton shot (69).
Wycombe had to settle for a point at home to Yeovil, after Joe Jacobsen’s penalty (26) cancelled out a spot-kick from Kevin Dawson six minutes earlier for the Glovers.
Colchester remain just inside the play-offs after they too drew 1-1, this time away to Newport, with Chris Porter scoring from the penalty spot after midfielder Josh Sheehan had given the division’s bottom club a 23rd-minute lead.
Cambridge played out a goalless draw at home to Blackpool but that was enough to see them move up to eighth in a game that contained more drama than the scoreline might suggest.
Sam Slocombe was the Blackpool hero as he saved Luke Berry's penalty, with Tom Aldred sent off for the Seasiders.
Exeter’s good run of form continued as they leapfrogged Grimsby with an impressive 3-0 victory on the Lincolnshire coast, a sixth win in their last eight league matches.
Reuben Reid scored his 100th career goal to give the visitors the lead four minutes before half-time before second-half goals from David Wheeler and Ollie Watkins ensured Grecians boss John Tisdale could celebrate his birthday with a win.
At the other end of the table, Notts County slipped into the relegation places after they drew 0-0 with local rivals Mansfield in the lunchtime kick-off before Cheltenham beat Accrington 3-0 later in the day.
That still represented a breakthrough for the Magpies, whose losing streak in League Two was halted at 10 matches in former Leyton Orient manger Kevin Nolan’s first game in charge.
Cheltenham finish the day outside the bottom two, however, after second half goals from Danny Wright, Diego De Girolamo and Billy Waters earned maximum points for Gary Johnson’s side, who benefited from Accrington having Scott Brown red carded with the score at 1-0.
In Saturday’s other game in the division, James Collins’ 63rd-minute effort earned Crawley a 1-0 win at home to Hartlepool.
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