Luton stay on top as Rochdale left battered

LUTON kept up the pace at the top of League One with a 2-0 home win over Rochdale, who finished with 10 men. Danny Hylton broke the deadlock after 59 minutes. Rochdale saw midfielder Ethan Hamilton dismissed for a second caution with five minutes left, and James Collins added a second for the Hatters in stoppage time.

Second-placed Barnsley saw midfielder Jacob Brown sent off late in the first half, but still ran out 3-0 winners at Southend as they remain five points behind the leaders. The Tykes rallied and wrapped up the points with goals from Cameron Mcgeehan, Cauley Woodrow and Jordan Green.

Portsmouth recorded a first league win since January 1 with a 5-1 trashing of managerless Bradford at Fratton Park.

A penalty from Gareth Evans set them on their way after 23 minutes, with Tom Naylor doubling the lead just before halftime. Bradford got back into the match through Hope Akpan’s close-range effort after 65 minutes. The home side, however, were back in front when Jamal Lowe made it 3-1 two minutes later and midfielder Ben Close hit a late double to complete the victory.

Doncaster and Charlton drew 1-1 at the Keepmoat Stadium. The Addicks went in front after 72 minutes when John Marquis headed into his own net. Mallik Wilks equalised within five minutes.

Peterborough moved level with sixth-placed Rovers on 55 points after beating Wycombe 4-2. Matt Godden struck twice inside the opening 10 minutes to put Posh in control, before an own goal from defender Ryan Tafazolli reduced the deficit. Marcus Maddison made it 3-1 after 31 minutes, but Matt Bloomfield pulled another one back for Wycombe before the break. Maddison’s second after 66 minutes settled matters.

Bristol Rovers boosted their survival hopes with a 4-0 win over Blackpool with a hat-trick from Jonson Clarke-harris at the Memorial Stadium.

Clarke-harris completed his treble in the 68th minute when knocked home a rebound and Liam Sercombe scored a fourth for the hosts in stoppage time.

Fellow strugglers Oxford made it two wins from two as they beat Scunthorpe 2-1 at home. Coventry won 1-0 at Accrington Stanley. Burton drew 0-0 at home against Walsall, while it was also goalless between Shrewsbury and bottom club AFC Wimbledon.