Promotion-chasing Oxford kept up the pressure on League One’s top two with a convincing 3-1 victory at Carlisle.

The U’s ran riot as Mark Harris’ brace and a further strike from Tyler Goodrham did the damage at Brunton Park.

Alfie McCalmont pulled one back for the relegation-threatened hosts, but they ultimately slipped to a third defeat in four matches.

The game sprung into life five minutes before the break as Harris slotted home after Elliott Moore headed Cameron Brannagan’s corner into his path.

And within minutes of the restart the striker doubled his and Oxford’s tally with his fourth goal in as many games as he rounded the keeper after being played through by Fin Stevens.

The game was done and dusted in the 68th minute when Goodrham cut inside and expertly found the bottom corner.

McCalmont opened his Cumbrians’ account after some brilliant work from Luke Armstrong to keep the ball alive, but it proved too little too late for Paul Simpson’s strugglers as their poor recent run stretched to just one win in 12 league outings.

Bolton’s League One clash with Cheltenham was abandoned after 29 minutes due to a medical emergency in the crowd.

Referee Sunny Singh Gill took the players off the field just after 3.30pm as medical staff went to help the supporter.

The match was officially abandoned 30 minutes later.

Bolton said the fan had suffered a suspected cardiac arrest and was taken to hospital.

A club statement read: “A supporter in the East Stand suffered a suspected cardiac arrest around 30 minutes into the game at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

“The man was treated by medical staff and paramedics at the scene, while the two teams were taken off the pitch.

“Following sustained attempts to revive the patient, he was taken to the first-aid room at the stadium and the match was abandoned shortly after 4pm.

“The supporter was subsequently taken to hospital and the thoughts of everyone at Bolton Wanderers are with him and his family.

“An update on the supporter’s condition will follow.

“Details regarding a new date and ticket refunds/arrangements for the fixture will be released in due course.”

Cheltenham added: “Today’s fixture against Bolton Wanderers has been abandoned due to a medical emergency in the crowd.

“The thoughts of everyone at Cheltenham Town Football Club are with the individual involved and their loved ones at this time.”

The game was still goalless when play was halted. Kyle Dempsey had fired over for Bolton at one end while Cheltenham’s George Lloyd was denied by home goalkeeper Nathan Baxter.

Bolton ended the day still two points off the top of the table after leaders Portsmouth suffered a surprise home defeat, while Cheltenham remained three points from safety.

Portsmouth’s poor form continued as John Mousinho’s league leaders made it one win in six games by slipping to a shock 3-0 defeat at home to Leyton Orient.

A disastrous opening half saw stuttering Pompey conceded all three goals before the break.

Orient could have been ahead inside the first 10 seconds, but Dan Agyei’s shot was deflected for a corner.

They did take the lead after 30 minutes when a one-two between Shaq Forde and Max Sanders saw Forde score easily.

It was 2-0 five minutes later when Jordan Brown stabbed home after a goalmouth scramble.

Pompey had a chance to get back in the game after 40 minutes with a penalty after a foul on Jack Sparkes, but Colby Bishop’s tame effort was easily saved.

Things got worse for Pompey in the last minute of first-half added time when Agyei headed home from a corner.

Orient maintained their dominance in the second half, stifling Pompey’s efforts to get back into the game and came away worthy winners.

Reading’s League One match against Port Vale was abandoned after hundreds of home fans invaded the pitch to protest against the club ownership of Dai Yongge.

The game had already been held up for three minutes early in the first half when tennis balls were thrown on to the playing surface at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Then, after 16 minutes, referee Ross Joyce took the players into the dressing rooms when the home fans entered the field of play, some letting off blue flares.

After approaching the Vale fans, some of whom applauded them, most of the home fans started to leave the pitch.

But many of them then returned and staged a sit-in in the centre circle.

Many Reading fans want the owner to sell up following a number of sanctions imposed by the EFL.

A statement posted on Reading’s X account read: “We are fully aware of and understand our supporters’ frustrations, but we must reiterate to our supporters that entering or throwing items on to the pitch can put the fixture at risk of abandonment and can result in personal consequences including banning orders.

“Thank you for your support today.”

As Reading fans continued to stay on the pitch, the club made two announcements over the PA system.

They stated that once the fans had returned to the stands, the game could resume.

As the supporters remained on the pitch, stewards guarded both goalmouths.

The Port Vale fans began to grow tired of the protests, chanting they had “made their point” and should leave the pitch.

A further announcement over the PA system said that, unless the pitch was cleared, the match would be abandoned.

It added that it would go “along with the consequences” of a possible points deduction.

As the game continued to be held up, reaching the half-hour mark, some Reading fans who had remained in the stands began to boo those on the pitch.

It also appeared that some of the stadium floodlights were being turned off, as if in preparation for an abandonment.

Port Vale fans also began to chant: “We want our money back”.

There remained a tight cordon of stewards around the entrance to the players’ tunnel, with the players having remained in the dressing rooms throughout.

Around 300 Reading fans remained on the pitch and at 3.56pm officials from both clubs were in contact with the EFL fixtures management team to discuss “the best course of action”. The game was eventually called off at 4.25pm.

:: Bolton’s League One match against Cheltenham was also abandoned. This was due to a medical emergency in the crowd.

Lyle Taylor scored on his Cambridge debut and Sully Kaikai struck a stoppage-time winner as the U’s beat League One’s bottom side Fleetwood 2-1.

Taylor signed for the club on Friday and found the net 14 minutes after coming off the bench.

Promise Omochere equalised for Fleetwood but Cambridge were not to be denied as Taylor teed-up Kaikai in the first minute of added time.

All of the game’s big chances happened in the closing 20 minutes as a number of substitutes made their mark.

Brandon Njoku, seconds after coming on, produced great work before the ball fell to Taylor to open the scoring with 19 minutes left.

Cambridge were pegged back six minutes later when Jayden Stockley, a one-time U’s loanee, stood a cross up for Omochere to nod home at the back post, only two minutes after he himself had come off the bench.

The home side should have been back ahead seconds after the restart when Taylor pulled the ball back for Jack Lankester, who somehow missed the target from six yards.

Ryan Bennett headed Kaikai’s corner on to a post in the final seconds, before in added time Taylor’s ball across the box was fired into roof of the net by Kaikai for Cambridge’s winner.

Ethan Erhahon’s late equaliser saw Lincoln salvage a point in a 1-1 draw with Wycombe.

Dale Taylor’s first-half goal had looked like being enough to win the game, only for Erhahon’s strike in the eighth minute of stoppage time to deny Wycombe victory.

The hosts were looking to mark Matt Bloomfield’s 50th game in charge with a win, while Lincoln were aiming to improve after four straight defeats.

Wycombe took the lead just before the half-hour as Sam Vokes headed Jack Grimmer’s cross to Taylor and his header just crossed the line before Adam Jackson could clear.

Taylor saw a low strike fall inches wide late in the first half, before Lincoln almost equalised when Dylan Duffy’s shot hit a post.

Imps debutant Joe Taylor had a goal disallowed before Wycombe saw a Vokes header go narrowly over the crossbar seconds later.

Substitutes Reeco Hackett and Jack Moylan forced good saves out of Max Stryjek before Erhahon’s lofted finish saw Lincoln snatch a point at the death.

Barnsley returned to winning ways after defeating Bristol Rovers 2-1 at Oakwell.

Devante Cole and Corey O’Keefe scored either side of Chris Martin’s equaliser to wrap up the three points for Barnsley, who had drawn their last two league games.

The Tykes had a flurry of chances in the 32nd minute as Rovers could not clear. Adam Phillips came closest, but Matthew Cox was able to tip around the post.

The hosts broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute through Cole. He was picked out in the box by John McAtee, heading onto a post and tapping the rebound into an empty net.

Matt Taylor’s side had the chance to equalise in the opening minute of first-half stoppage time. Former Barnsley forward Luke Thomas turned inside the box and looked to curl one into the bottom left corner, but Roberts saved.

Rovers did equalise in the 68th minute when Antony Evans crossed from the right, finding Martin who directed his header into the far corner.

Neill Collins’ side regained the lead in the 73rd minute. Phillips played a composed pass to O’Keefe who slotted home from inside the box.

Ephron Mason-Clark scored twice as Peterborough extended their unbeaten league run to 10 games with a 2-1 win at Charlton that moved them up to second place in Sky Bet League One.

The Posh striker fired his side ahead midway through the first half before restoring the lead in the 75th minute after Alfie May had levelled for the Addicks with his 20th goal of the season in all competitions.

The visitors dominated the first half and deserved to make the 29th-minute breakthrough when Mason-Clark curled a shot beyond Addicks keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

Charlton, who have now lost four of their last five league games, were booed off at half-time and boss Michael Appleton made a double change in an attempt to spark life into his side.

The changes had an immediate effect as the hosts drew level just three minutes after the restart when May headed home from close range after Tyreeq Bakinson’s shot was blocked.

However, they finished the game empty-handed when Mason-Clark drilled in a low drive 15 minutes from time.

Josh Magennis’ second-half strike secured a precious point on the road for Wigan as they drew 1-1 at in-form Northampton.

The veteran striker netted from close range in the 64th minute to cancel out Cobblers top scorer Sam Hoskins’ 16th-minute penalty.

Wigan dominated possession in the early stages, and wasted a great chance to score when Jordan Jones blasted over from 15 yards, but they found themselves behind after 16 minutes.

Kieron Bowie seized on a loose pass 25 yards out, and ran straight in on goal, only to be upended by goalkeeper Sam Tickle for a clear penalty.

Hoskins stepped up and slotted home to put the Cobblers ahead.

Wigan pressed for an equaliser, and should have got one on the stroke of half-time, but Liam Morrison’s free header from five yards out was blocked on the line by his own player, Magennis.

The visitors piled on the pressure in the second half as they battled to get back in the game, and they got their reward after 64 minutes when Magennis poked home from close range after a driving run from Martial Godo had set up the chance.

Goalmouth action was limited after the equaliser, with the Cobblers going closest to snatching a winner through Mitch Pinnock late on, but his shot from 20 yards out flew wide.

Jamie Reid secured Stevenage a 1-0 League One away win over Shrewsbury at the Croud Meadow to get their first victory of 2024.

The first half saw very limited chances for both sides, but Stevenage had a shot on target inside the opening minute when Reid – from a tight angle – fired the ball wide of the near post from close range.

Shrewsbury went close in the 20th minute when Chey Dunkley rose highest at the back post to head goalward from a corner ball, but his effort sailed just wide.

Two Shrewsbury substitutes combined nicely just past the hour mark when Tom Bayliss fed a smart ball into Max Mata’s path, who spun and got a shot off inside the area, but visiting goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond was equal to the opportunity.

With just six minutes remaining, Stevenage found the opener with Jake Forster-Caskey playing a fabulous through ball into Reid, who nicely converted his 19th goal of the season in all competitions.

Steve Evans’ side remain level on points with sixth-placed Barnsley and kept up the pace with the play-off pack as a result.

Reading’s League One match with Port Vale was abandoned on Saturday “on the advice from the EFL” after 1,000 home fans invaded the pitch.

The home supporters were protesting against the club ownership of Dai Yongge and the match was halted after 16 minutes of play, with around 40 of the fans still refusing to leave the pitch some 45 minutes later.

In the gathering gloom, with most of the floodlights switched off, those supporters still stood in the centre circle surrounded by stewards before the announcement to call the game off was made at 4.25pm.

The game was held up earlier for three minutes – before the pitch invasion – when tennis balls were thrown on to the playing surface at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Referee Ross Joyce took the players into the dressing rooms, while the supporters milled around the pitch, some letting off blue flares.

After approaching the Vale fans, some of whom applauded them, most of the home fans started to head back to the stands.

But many of them then returned and staged a sit-in in the centre circle.

A statement posted on Reading’s X, formerly Twitter, account, read: “We are fully aware of and understand our supporters’ frustrations, but we must reiterate to our supporters that entering or throwing items on to the pitch can put the fixture at risk of abandonment and can result in personal consequences including banning orders.

“Thank you for your support today.”

As Reading fans continued to stay on the pitch, the club made two announcements over the PA system.

They stated that once the fans had returned to the stands, the game could resume.

As the supporters remained on the pitch, stewards guarded both goalmouths.

The Port Vale fans began to grow tired of the protests, chanting they had “made their point” and should leave the pitch.

A further announcement over the PA system said that, unless the pitch was cleared, the match would be abandoned. It added that it would go “along with the consequences” of a possible points deductions.

As the game continued to be held up, reaching the half-hour mark, some Reading fans who had remained in the stands began to boo those on the pitch, while Vale fans began to chant “we want our money back”.

There remained a tight cordon of stewards around the entrance to the players’ tunnel, with the players having remained in the dressing rooms throughout.

As around 300 Reading fans remained on the pitch, at 3.56pm officials from both clubs were in contact with the EFL fixtures management team to discuss “the best course of action”.

Twenty minutes later, Port Vale manager Andy Crosby walked along the touchline to speak to the Vale fans. He spoke only briefly, before walking back to the dressing room, but many Vale supporters then started to leave the stadium.

Moments later the announcement for the match to be postponed was made.

Albie Morgan’s stylish brace guided Blackpool to a comfortable 2-0 victory over struggling Exeter.

The Tangerines started on top and spurned a fine chance to take the lead when Jordan Rhodes’ 25th-minute penalty was saved by Viljami Sinisalo, the Finnish goalkeeper making amends after fouling the striker.

The Aston Villa loanee then tipped Kyle Joseph’s long-range effort around the post, but he could do nothing to stop Morgan’s stunning strike from Karamoko Dembele’s lay-off six minutes before the break.

Zak Jules saw a shot go wide as the Grecians sought a response, but their task became harder when Morgan doubled his tally early in the second half with a fine volley into the bottom corner through a crowd of players.

Exeter rarely threatened until Jack Aitchison was twice denied by Dan Grimshaw in quick succession, with Jack Harris firing over shortly afterwards.

But Blackpool held on with a minimum of fuss to stay in touch with the play-off places and extend Exeter’s winless away league run to nine matches.

Bolton’s League One clash with Cheltenham was abandoned after 29 minutes due to a medical emergency in the crowd.

Referee Sunny Singh Gill took the players off the field just after 3.30pm as medical staff went to help the supporter.

And 30 minutes later the match was officially abandoned, but no further update was given over the individual involved.

A Bolton statement read: “Due to a medical emergency in the crowd, today’s game has been postponed.

“Our thoughts are with the family concerned. More information will follow.”

Reading’s League One match with Port Vale was halted after 16 minutes when around 1,000 home fans invaded the pitch.

They were protesting against the club ownership of Dai Yongge and the game had already been held up earlier for three minutes when tennis balls were thrown on to the playing surface at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Referee Ross Joyce took the players into the dressing rooms, while the supporters milled around the pitch, some letting off blue flares.

After approaching the Vale fans, some of whom applauded them, most of the home fans started to leave the pitch.

But many of them then returned and staged a sit-in in the centre circle.

A statement posted on Reading’s X, formerly Twitter, account, read: “We are fully aware of and understand our supporters’ frustrations, but we must reiterate to our supporters that entering or throwing items on to the pitch can put the fixture at risk of abandonment and can result in personal consequences including banning orders.

“Thank you for your support today.”

As Reading fans continued to stay on the pitch, the club made two announcements over the PA system.

They stated that once the fans had returned to the stands, the game could resume.

As the supporters remained on the pitch, stewards guarded both goalmouths.

The Port Vale fans began to grow tired of the protests, chanting they had “made their point” and should leave the pitch.

A further announcement over the PA system said that, unless the pitch was cleared, the match would be abandoned.

It added that it would go “along with the consequences” of a possible points deductions.

Derek Adams has continued his Ross County squad overhaul by signing goalkeeper George Wickens on loan from Fulham and allowing  defender Ben Purrington to depart for Exeter City.

Wickens, 22, is yet to make a senior appearance for the west London club, although he got some experience of first-team football while on loan at National League side Wealdstone in the 2021-22 campaign.

The 6ft 5ins goalkeeper, who has represented England at under-18 level, will provide competition and cover for County number one Ross Laidlaw.

Left-back Purrington has moved to Sky Bet League One side Exeter for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old joined the Staggies in July 2022 from Charlton and made
33 appearances, scoring twice.

Purrington is the fourth player to leave County this month, with Ben Paton departing upon expiry of his contract, Kyle Turner joining Raith Rovers on loan and Scott High returning to parent club Huddersfield.

The Staggies, who appointed Adams as manager in November, are currently 11th in the cinch Premiership and looking to ease their relegation concerns when the campaign resumes later this month following the winter break.