Matt at the double silences the Lambe

LINCOLN retained their three-point gap at the top of League Two with a 2-0 win at Cheltenham.

Both goals came in the second half as the home side’s resistance was finally broken in the 74th minute through a Craig Alcock own goal, with Shay McCartan adding the second 10 minutes from the end.

The Imps have a three-point cushion over Newport, who are now second in the table after their 4-2 comeback victory over Cambridge.

County appeared to be heading for defeat after a Reggie Lambe double put the visitors in control.

But Mickey Demetriou’s penalty halved the deficit right on half-time. Padraig Amond equalised at the start of the second half and two quick goals from Jamille Matt completed the turnaround.

Exeter slipped five points off the top after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Port Vale thanks to Idris Kanu’s last-gasp header.

Stevenage climbed six places up to fourth in the table after Ben Kennedy (above) gave them a 1-0 success at Carlisle.

None of the other teams in the top seven won. Colchester lost 2-1 at home to Bury, who led through goals from Byron Moore and Chris Dagnall. Luke Norris replied for the U’s with a late penalty.

Ollie Palmer, Ashley Nathaniel-George and Filipe Morais scored for Crawley as they saw off Yeovil 3-1.

Oldham drew 0-0 at Swindon, who had Matthew Taylor sent off in injury time. Forest Green were held 1-1 by struggling Macclesfield after Scott Wilson cancelled out Dayle Grubb’s opener for Rovers. Grimsby are in the bottom two after losing 2-1 to Morecambe following Liam Mandeville’s winner.

Notts County moved above the Mariners after getting their first win of the season under Harry Kewell with a 2-1 victory against Crewe at Meadow Lane. Rob Milsom and Jordan Bowery exchanged goals before Elliott Hewitt’s winning strike.

Goals from Timi Elsnik, CJ Hamilton and a double from Danny Rose saw Mansfield defeat Northampton 4-0, while MK Dons and Tranmere drew 1-1.