Stevenage stay top despite draw away at Gillingham
STEVENAGE maintained their twopoint lead at the top of Sky Bet League Two despite being held 1-1 at Gillingham.
Steve Evans’ side were denied a fifth straight league win as Elkan Baggott’s first-half header for Gillingham cancelled out Danny Rose’s opener.
The point was enough to keep Stevenage clear of automatic-promotion rivals Leyton Orient and Northampton, who drew 0-0 at the Breyer Group Stadium.
Orient defender Daniel Happe’s first-half header hit the crossbar, while Northampton played most of the second half with 10 men after midfielder Ben Fox was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Craig Clay.
Mansfield extended their unbeaten home league run this season to six matches as substitute Will Swan’s late header sealed a 2-1 win against Walsall.
The promotion-chasing Stags had been pegged back by Liam Bennett before the interval after George Lapslie had given them the lead.
Andy Cook’s 13th goal of the season in all competitions sealed Bradford a 1-0 win at fellow promotion hopefuls Salford, who struck the crossbar through Callum Hendry’s first-half effort.
Jack Stretton fired a second-half double as Carlisle extended their unbeaten league run to nine matches with a 3-0 home win against Doncaster.
Callum Guy gave Carlisle a firsthalf lead and Derby loanee Stretton fired his first goals for the Cumbrians before team-mate Ryan Edmondson’s late penalty was saved.
Grimsby climbed up to 10th after their 3-1 win at 10-man Stockport.
Harry Clifton and Gavan Holohan struck in the space of six first-half minutes for the Mariners and although Paddy Madden reduced the deficit, Alex Hunt’s stoppagetime effort sealed all three points.
Stockport midfielder Callum Camps received a straight red card for his reckless high tackle on Kieran Green.
Rochdale made it three wins from their last four as goals in either half from Liam Kelly and Scott Quigley secured them a 2-1 home victory against Barrow. Niall Canavan headed a late consolation for the visitors.
Tyrese Shade’s solitary secondhalf goal clinched Swindon a 1-0 home win against Colchester and Sutton won by the same score at AFC Wimbledon thanks to Craig Eastmond’s close-range finish.
Managerless Newport slipped to a sixth defeat in eight league games, losing 2-1 at Crawley, who climbed off the foot of the table.
James Tilley and Ashley Nadesan’s header gave Crawley a twogoal lead and after Nathan Moriahwelsh replied for Newport, the home side held on.