Agard is the Kie as Dons close the gap

KIERAN AGARD scored the only goal as MK Dons gained ground on the top two after Lincoln and Exeter both failed to win.

Paul Tisdale’s side overcame Northampton courtesy of a goal that came a minute before the break from Agard.

The 10 men of Lincoln were held 1-1 at home by Cambridge despite taking an early lead through veteran striker Matt Rhead (below).

The visitors were level 10 minutes later as Jevani Brown shot into the top corner.

Lincoln played nearly 70 minutes with 10 men as Ellis Chapman was shown a red card for a late challenge on Gary Deegan.

Grimsby keeper James McKeown denied

Exeter a win when he saved Pierce Sweeney’s second-half penalty in their 0-0 draw.

Newport, who had started the day in third, suffered a 4-1 defeat at Crawley which saw the home side move to the fringe of the play-offs.

Joe Maguire gave the home side an early lead before Jamille Matt equalised on the hour.

Ollie Palmer, AshleyNathaniel George and a Filipe Morais penalty made it 4-1 before Newport’s Fraser Franks was shown a straight red card with only eight minutes to go.

Macclesfield’s 2-1 win over Carlisle came after the visitors broke the deadlock when Ashley Nadesan bundled home from close range.

Michael Rose converted a penalty and Peter Vincente hit the winner with seven minutes left. Courtney Senior scored the only goal as Colchester won at Morecambe and a Tom Pope spot-kick gave Port Vale a 1-0 success at Oldham. Nicky Maynard, Dom Telford, Jay O’Shea and Nicky Adams helped Bury beat Notts County 4-0.

Stevenage played almost 80 minutes with

10 men in their 1-0 defeat to Crewe.

Joseph Mills got Forest Green’s equaliser in the

1-1 draw at home to Cheltenham, who had led when Tyrone Barnett had forced home Luke Varney’s saved penalty.

Swindon could not punish 10-man Mansfield as their encounter ended in a 0-0 draw, as did Yeovil and Tranmere who also shared the points in a goalless draw.