A busy midweek programme across the EFL saw Lincoln City strengthen their grip on top spot in League One, while managerial departures at Walsall and Barrow dominated the headlines in League Two.
The Imps secured a hard-fought victory at Exeter City while Cardiff City were held to a draw at Barnsley, allowing Michael Skubala’s side to move four points clear at the summit.
Elsewhere in League One, Plymouth Argyle continued their push towards the play-offs, AFC Wimbledon thumped struggling Blackpool, and Leyton Orient claimed a vital victory in their battle for survival.
In League Two, Mat Sadler’s near three-year spell at Walsall came to an end as the Saddlers’ alarming slide continued, while Barrow also parted company with Dino Maamria after a short reign in charge.
Also, Milton Keynes Dons’ thumping win over Gillingham added further momentum to their promotion push.
Here is a roundup of the best action from the midweek League One and League Two games.
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League One
Exeter City 0-1 Lincoln City
Lincoln’s relentless march towards the Championship continued with a 1-0 win at Exeter, which was far more comfortable for the League One leaders than the scoreline suggests.
The Imps made a fast start to the game and quickly had Exeter on the back foot, but their finishing was wayward with Rob Street, Tom Bayliss, Tom Hamer and Ryan One all off target in the opening quarter.
The only goal, which extended Lincoln’s unbeaten run to 19 matches, was scored in the 32nd minute, and it came when Adam Reach’s free-kick picked out the unmarked Hamer, and he directed a header beyond the reach of goalkeeper Joe Whitworth from 10 yards.
Barnsley 1-1 Cardiff City
Cardiff lost ground on the League One leaders after a 1-1 draw at mid-table Barnsley.
Rubin Colwill opened the scoring in the 11th minute after a mistake by Jack Shepherd allowed Ollie Tanner to cross the ball straight to the 23-year-old, who finished well past Owen Goodman.
However, Scott Banks levelled for the hosts in the 22nd minute after Tom Bradshaw’s cross missed everybody in the box and landed perfectly at the Scotsman’s feet, and he made no mistake in front of goal.
PICTURE: Alamy
Wigan Athletic 0-3 Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth continued their play-off charge in League One with a convincing 3-0 victory at struggling Wigan Athletic, who are now in the relegation zone on goals scored.
The Pilgrims took control of the game with two goals in the space of two minutes just before half-time.
After 38 minutes, the home defence failed to deal with a free-kick, allowing Bim Pepple to force the ball over the line.
Then, five minutes before the break, Malachi Boateng teed up Pepple, who made no mistake from 15 yards.
Plymouth added salt to the wounds as Boateng again provided the assist, Caleb Watts supplying the finish with 19 minutes remaining.
AFC Wimbledon 4-1 Blackpool
AFC Wimbledon boosted their slim hopes of a League One play-off spot with a 4-1 win against relegation-threatened Blackpool at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
The game burst into life in the 11th minute when Ryan Johnson nodded Steve Seddon’s sublime corner past Bailey Peacock-Farrell to give his side the lead.
The Dons won a penalty in the 53rd minute when James Husband fouled Marcus Browne as he burst into the box.
Matty Stevens stepped up to take the spot-kick and he sent Peacock-Farrell the wrong way to make it 2-0.
Blackpool pulled one back out of nowhere in the 62nd after Niall Ennis produced a delightful chip over Joe McDonnell.
However, Zack Nelson went around the goalkeeper before tapping the ball into an empty net in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time for a third.
Omar Bugiel added a fourth from close range in the sixth minute of stoppage-time to wrap up the win.
Stevenage 1-2 Leyton Orient
A double from Dom Ballard saw Leyton Orient come from behind to win 2-1 at Stevenage and boost their League One survival hopes.
Stevenage had dominated the first half without creating too many clear-cut chances.
They had taken the lead after 22 minutes when skipper Carl Piergianni was hauled down at a corner, Will Forrester paying no attention to the ball, only the man.
Jamie Reid fired past Will Dennis and at that point, they were in complete control.
But moments after Ballard should have scored, scooping a chance over the top from four yards, he fired emphatically beyond Filip Marschall in the 44th minute to drag Orient level.
An injury to Saxon Earley left Boro reshuffling their defence and they were still sorting themselves out when Ballard glanced in a James Morris cross 10 minutes into the second half.
PICTURE: MI News & Sport
Elsewhere…
FA Cup quarter-finalists Port Vale were brought back down to earth with a 2-0 home defeat to high-flying Bradford City.
Louis Reed’s deflected goal gave Mansfield Town their first win in 10 league matches as they beat Reading 1-0.
And, Brandon Hanlan’s second-half strike rescued a point for Doncaster Rovers in a 1-1 draw with Luton Town after Kasey Palmer’s first goal for the Hatters had put them on course for a first win in six league games.
League Two
Gillingham 1-5 Milton Keynes Dons
Five-star MK Dons maintained their League Two promotion push as they stretched their unbeaten run to 12 games with a 5-1 drubbing of injury-ravaged Gillingham.
Captain Alex Gilbey got the party started in the 15th minute as he thumped home the opener after being teed up by Aaron Collins.
It was two in the 26th minute when full-back Gethin Jones opened his account for the club in style with a first-time finish after being threaded through by Ben Wiles.
Wiles stung the palms of Jake Turner before Marvin Ekpiteta made it three before the break as he headed home from Liam Kelly’s free-kick.
Shortly after the restart, Turner could only parry Collins’ strike into the path of Wiles, who netted for a second successive game.
Seb Palmer-Houlden nodded home a consolation in the final 15 minutes after Sam Vokes’ initial header was blocked on the line.
Kelly added the finishing touches late on as he slotted home at the far post.
Salford City 1-0 Walsall
Fabio Borini scored the winning goal on his 400th senior appearance as Salford won 1-0, with Walsall boss Sadler facing the sack the next day.
The former Liverpool, Sunderland and AC Milan striker stepped off the bench to mark the milestone with a crucial goal as The Ammies battled to a second successive League Two win.
After Salford boss Karl Robinson turned to his bench for inspiration, neat passing play from substitute Prince Ehibhatiomhan and Ryan Graydon opened the space for Borini to fire a low shot into the bottom corner in the 74th minute.
A statement from Walsall on Wednesday confirmed: “Walsall football club have today parted company with men’s first team head coach Mat Sadler, bringing an end to his tenure after nearly three years in charge.
“At this time, Darren Byfield will take interim charge of the team with the immediate focus on Saturday’s fixture against Crewe Alexandra, supported by Terry Connor and the rest of the club’s backroom staff.
“The club will be working through the next steps and shall provide further updates regarding a new head coach in due course.”
(Cody Froggatt/PA)
Barrow 0-2 Bristol Rovers
Tommy Leigh scored his third goal in two games as Bristol Rovers boosted their League Two survival hopes with a 2-0 win at relegation rivals Barrow, who then sacked boss Maamria.
Leigh, who netted both goals in last weekend’s victory over Crewe Alexandra, set Rovers on the way to a first-ever EFL win at Holker Street after 27 minutes when Jack Sparkes crossed for him to tap in at the far post.
He was also involved in the build-up to the visitors’ match clincher as top scorer Fabrizio Cavegn slid in to convert a misdirected shot from Joel Senior after 56 minutes.
Rovers’ third victory in four games lifted Steve Evans’ nine points clear of the relegation places. Barrow, however, remains out of the bottom two only on goal difference from Newport County.
The Bluebirds parted ways with their manager on Wednesday, a statement announcing: “Barrow AFC can confirm Dino Maamria has left the club today. We would like to thank Dino for his efforts and wish him well for the future.
“Sam Foley, supported by Simon Ireland and David Worrall, will take the team until the end of the season.
“We recognise that this has been a very disappointing season with far too much managerial change.
“As the board of directors, we understand that the buck stops with us. We believe this change gives us the best chance of remaining in the Football League.”
Elsewhere…
Cheltenham Town hit back from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw at in-form Fleetwood Town in League Two.
The home side were dominant in the first half and pulled clear thanks to Mark Helm’s double.
League One results
Tuesday
Barnsley 1–1 Cardiff City
Doncaster Rovers 1–1 Luton Town
Exeter City 0–1 Lincoln City
Mansfield Town 1–0 Reading
Stevenage 1–2 Leyton Orient
Wigan Athletic 0–3 Plymouth Argyle
Wednesday
AFC Wimbledon 4-1 Blackpool
Port Vale 0-2 Bradford City
League Two results
Tuesday
Barrow 0–2 Bristol Rovers
Fleetwood Town 2–2 Cheltenham Town
Gillingham 1–5 Milton Keynes Dons
Salford City 1–0 Walsall
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