JASON KENNEDY’S

second-half winner sent Carlisle into second spot as they clinched a thrilling a 3-2 victory at Notts County.

The Cumbrians, who won 5-0 at Meadow Lane last season, took a 10th-minute lead when Charlie Wyke nodded in from close range.

Notts levelled on the half-hour mark when Jon Stead produced a brilliant header from Michael O’Connor’s free-kick, before Jonathan Forte fired them ahead nine minutes later.

But late in an entertaining first half, Carlisle equalised when Nicky Adams was afforded too much space on the left and his cross was headed in by Jabo Ibehre.

After the break, Ibehre forced a stunning save from Scott Loach, before Kennedy snatched the decisive goal when he flicked in Tom Miller’s long throw.

Blackpool played-out a goalless draw against Grimsby at Blundell Park.

Kyle Vassell was twice brilliantly denied by Mariners’ on-loan goalkeeper Dean Henderson, while Mark Cullen fluffed his lines late on from just six yards out as the Tangerines were forced to settle for a point.

Elsewhere, Plymouth went top thanks to goals from Oscar Threkeld and Craig Tanner as they beat Crawley 2-0 in a match which saw referee Brendan Malone book 11 players.

Doncaster were at the summit at the start of the day, but they dropped to third as they could only draw 1-1 at Mansfield, with Liam Mandeville’s penalty cancelling out Matt Green’s opener for the Stags.

Newport remain rooted to the foot of the table after they were crushed 4-1 at home by Exeter, for whom Ollie Watkins bagged a hat-trick.