Toon loanee helps spoil party as new Bantams boss Hughes loses first game
MARK Hughes suffered defeat in his first game in charge of Bradford as Mansfield recorded a 2-0 away win.
Goals in either half from Rhys Oates and Newcastle loanee Matty Longstaff consigned the Bantams to a fourth straight league defeat.
Leaders Forest Green suffered a second successive defeat as they were beaten 2-1 at Crawley.
Rovers, beaten at home by Walsall last weekend, found themselves trailing at the break as Ashley Nadesan and Jordan Tunnicliffe put Crawley in control.
Rob Edwards’ men, though, remain 10 points clear after promotion rivals Northampton and Tranmere also both lost.
The Cobblers went down 1-0 at Rochdale, where Tahvon Campbell’s goal early in the second half proved the difference.
Tranmere were beaten 4-2 at Newport, who scored twice in the last three minutes.
Aaron Lewis’ goal early in the second half gave County the lead, which was followed by a penalty from Dom Telford before the hour.
Rovers rallied as Josh Dacrescogley reduced the deficit before an own goal from Newport defender Mickey Demetriou levelled things up at 2-2.
However, Finn Azaz struck with just three minutes left to put the Welsh side back in front before Telford wrapped things up in stoppage time.
Exeter also failed to make up much ground on the top three after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers.
Luca Hoole gave the hosts an early lead, with Jevani Brown equalising midway through the first half.
Promotion hopefuls Swindon – who thrashed Walsall 5-0 on Tuesday night – were beaten 2-1 at home by Salford.
Harry Mckirdy had put the Robins in front early in the second half, but Liam Shephard equalised after the hour and Ryan Watson headed a winner with four minutes to go.
Sutton are fifth after they beat bottom club Scunthorpe 4-1. Rob Milsom’s penalty was quickly followed up by Will Randall’s strike on the half-hour and Joe Kizzi added a third before half time.
Randall got his second just after the hour, with a late own goal from Sutton substitute Harry Beautyman providing little consolation for the Iron, who are eight points from safety.
Carlisle won 1-0 at managerless Leyton Orient to boost their own survival hopes, with an early goal from Patrick Omar giving new boss Paul Simpson a perfect start to his second stint in charge.
The O’s, who parted company with Kenny Jackett shortly after the 2-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers in midweek, had midfielder Theo Archibald sent off early in the second half for two quick cautions.
Strugglers Colchester and Oldham drew 1-1, with an own goal from Latics defender Jordan Clarke cancelling out Davis Keillordunn’s first-half opener for the visitors.
Elsewhere, Port Vale beat Stevenage 2-0, while Barrow and Harrogate drew 0-0.