Charlton, Barnsley step up promotion challenge

Luton’s point at Sunderland on Saturday saw Portsmouth’s lead at the top of the League One table trimmed to just four points.

That was as a result of Pompey’s shock 1-0 home defeat against Blackpool.

Chris Long’s 74th-minute goal settled the game at Fratton Park.

Charlton and Barnsley were able to narrow the gap to the automatic promotion places as both recorded comfortable 3-0 wins. Lyle Taylor, Darren Pratley and Karlan Ahearne-Grant, from the penalty spot, were on target in the Addicks’ success at Shrewsbury.

The Tykes defeated Yorkshire rivals Bradford at Oakwell courtesy of goals from Jacob Brown, Kieffer Moore and Alex Mowatt.

Lee Tomlin celebrated his 30th birthday with a goal as he set Peterborough on their way to a 2-1 victory against Rochdale on his return to the club. George Cooper also scored for Posh before Ethan Hamilton’s last-minute reply for the visitors. Peterborough’s win saw them move back into the play-off places at the expense of Doncaster, who conceded late goals to lose 3-2 at Wycombe. Rovers were in control after strikes from John Marquis and Tommy Rowe but Paris Cowan-Hall reduced the Chairboys’ arrears after 77 minutes.

Curtis Thompson equalised for Wycombe in the final minute before Cowan-Hall headed the winner deep into injury time.

Plymouth were the only team in the bottom four to win on Saturday as they prevailed 3-2 at Southend. Antoni Sarcevic, Freddie Ladapo and Ruben Lameiras gave Argyle a three-goal lead but Simon Cox, from the penalty spot, and Charlie Kelman netted late replies for the hosts.

AFC Wimbledon stay bottom after drawing 1-1 at Coventry. Jake Jervis gave the Dons an early lead but Luke Thomas levelled things up.

Second-half goals from James Henry and Jamie Mackie saw Oxford battle back for a 2-2 draw at Fleetwood, who had led after first-half strikes from Wes Burns and Paddy Madden.