Saturday 23 January 2016 22:44, UK
Northampton Town moved two points clear at the top of Sky Bet League 2 with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Morecambe at Sixfields.
James Collins gave the Cobblers the lead on the half-hour when he tapped in after the Shrimps' defence was caught napping by a Joel Byrom free-kick.
John-Joe O'Toole added the second goal from close range 10 minutes later after Brendan Moloney had fired in, with Rod McDonald netting the third in the 51st minute with a towering header from a Lee Martin corner.
Paul Mullin netted his eighth goal of the season for Morecambe in the 72nd minute but Northampton held firm to leapfrog Plymouth at the summit with their 10th league win in 11 matches.
Argyle claimed a valuable point from a 1-1 draw with fourth-placed Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium thanks to an 88th-minute daisy-cutter from Josh Simpson.
Billy Bodin had put Rovers ahead nine minutes earlier as he powered the ball home after combining well with Jermaine Easter.
Oxford United consolidated third place with a vital 1-0 victory over fifth-placed Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
Debutant striker Jordan Bowery, who joined the Us after leaving Rotherham in midweek, came off the bench to net the winner in the 76th minute.
Carlisle United returned to Brunton Park 49 days after the pitch was submerged by the Storm Desmond floods but they were unable to celebrate with a win as bottom-of-the-table York City snatched a 1-1 draw.
Jason Kennedy put the Cumbrians ahead on their newly-laid pitch in the 15th minute when he jinked past two defenders and fired home.
However, the Minstermen levelled with just three minutes remaining courtesy of Luke Summerfield who reacted quickest after Danny Galbraith had hit the post.
Kevin Nolan made a flying start in his new role as Leyton Orient's player-manager as his side claimed a 2-0 victory over stuttering Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park.
Jay Simpson put the visitors ahead in the 64th minute with his 21st goal of season and Calaum Jahraldo-Martin made sure of the three points with three minutes remaining.
Luton Town manager Nathan Jones was also able to celebrate his first victory as the Hatters triumphed 2-0 at Mansfield Town.
Paddy McCourt struck in the seventh minute with his first goal for the club and Pelly Ruddock added the second in the 54th minute.
Exeter City bounced back from the disappointment of their FA Cup exit at Liverpool as they came from behind to claim a 2-1 home win over promotion hopefuls Accrington Stanley.
Stanley made a flying start thanks to Shay McCartan's third-minute goal but Tom Nichols levelled just two minutes later and Christian Ribeiro wrapped up the win for the Grecians in the 79th minute.
Yeovil Town also suffered FA Cup heartbreak in midweek after losing to Carlisle on penalties but they bounced back with a 2-1 win over Crawley Town at Huish Park to move out of the bottom two.
Ryan Bird (59), with his first goal in 13 games, and on-loan West Brom winger Tahvon Campbell (77), with his first goal for the club, put the hosts in control, although Lee Barnard (83) ensured a nervy finale.
The Glovers moved above Dagenham & Redbridge on goal difference after the Daggers let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 at Newport County.
John Still's side were quick out of the blocks at Rodney Parade with Christian Doidge opening the scoring in the first minute before on-loan Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall made it 2-0 in the sixth minute with a looping header for his first senior goal.
John-Christophe Ayina pulled a goal back for County with just seven minutes remaining and on-loan Bolton midfielder Conor Wilkinson then made a dramatic impact on his debut with an 88th-minute equaliser.
Hartlepool United looked to have snatched a vital three points at Cambridge United courtesy of Jake Gray (71) but they were denied by Ben Williamson late on as it ended 1-1 at the Abbey Stadium.
AFC Wimbledon boosted their promotion hopes with a 2-0 victory over Notts County at Meadow Lane.
Goals from Tom Elliott (9) and Andy Barcham (83) extended the Dons' unbeaten away record to eight matches as new Magpies manager Jamie Fullarton made a disappointing start at home.
Stevenage and Barnet had to settle for a point apiece as their game at the Lamex Stadium ended goalless.
