Portsmouth boss John Mousinho saluted Australian striker Kusini Yengi after he helped fire the south coast side to a six-point lead at the top of the League One table as they beat second-placed Bolton 2-0.

Conor Shaughnessy was also on target as Pompey recorded a statement victory at Fratton Park.

Mousinho said: “It was a great result. We were a constant threat going forward.

“I can’t remember our goalkeeper having to deal with anything in the second half. I thought we were comfortable and pushed well.

“We had opportunity after opportunity and were perhaps a bit sloppy in the final third, but when we did get it right, we scored.

“Kusini’s performance against (Ricardo) Santos, who is one of the best centre-halves in the league, was terrific.

“We wanted him to lead the line, and he handled it superbly. He was pressing Santos and the goalkeeper, and we did at the back end of the game wonder if we needed to freshen things up a bit.

“But he showed how fit he is. It was his second league start, and his first here. It was a battle that I thought the referee handled pretty well.

“We’ll savour the moment, then turn the focus to the next game.”

In a fiercely-contested first half, Bolton should have taken the lead after 28 minutes. A powerful header by Jon Dadi Bodvarsson was brilliantly pushed away by Will Norris, and from six yards out and with an open goal, Dion Charles somehow fired the rebound wide.

Pompey then had the ball cleared off the line as Yengi’s shot was partly blocked by goalkeeper Nathan Baxter and Gethin Jones hooked it away.

Right on half-time a corner kick by Jack Sparkes was met by Shaughnessy to glance his header into the net.

Pompey controlled the second half and deserved their second goal a minute from time as Yengi hammered home from six yards from a Gavin Whyte cross.

Bolton boss Ian Evatt said: “I think that in the first half we managed to wrestle control of the game but misses like the one from Dion seemed to affect the flow of our game.

“It’s always frustrating when conceding right on half-time. I thought there was a clear foul leading up to the corner and I can’t understand why it’s not given.

“The second half, they put us on our toes and we couldn’t deal with it. We lost faith and belief, we rocked and wobbled, and it was very disappointing. That’s not what we are about. We are so much better than that.

“They made it very difficult for us and basically dominated on everything. I don’t think they outplayed us, but they outfought us. We’ve let ourselves down but the players have always responded when they have to. We’ve lost the game playing their way, not ours.”

Goals from Conor Shaughnessy and Kusini Yengi sealed a 2-0 win for Portsmouth over Bolton in a top-of-the-table League One clash at Fratton Park.

The victory takes Pompey six points clear of second-placed Bolton.

In a fiercely-contested first half, Bolton should have taken the lead after 28 minutes. A powerful header by Jon Dadi Bodvarsson was brilliantly pushed away by Will Norris, and from six yards out, and with an open goal, Dion Charles somehow fired the rebound wide.

Pompey then had the ball cleared off the line after 43 minutes as Yengi’s shot was partly blocked by goalkeeper Nathan Baxter before Gethin Jones hooked it away.

Right on half-time a corner kick by Jack Sparkes was met by Shaughnessy to glance his header into the net.

Pompey controlled the second half and deserved their second goal two minutes from time as Yengi hammered home from six yards from a Gavin Whyte cross.

Matt Bloomfield understands fans’ frustration with his Wycombe side but insists they are not “desperate” for results.

Taylor Perry’s brilliant long-range strike earned Shrewsbury a 1-0 win and left Wanderers winless in eight League One games.

Bloomfield said: “I understand there will be criticism from the fans and rightly so because of the results. I’m in a results-based business so I get that but they are going against us at the moment.

“Barring the Morecambe performance (in a 2-0 defeat) when I told you guys how unhappy I was with it, we’ve played some very good stuff.

“Desperate is the wrong word if I’m honest as it sends out the wrong message.

“The lads gave me everything and I can’t question their application. It’s just finding that final touch.

“We cut through Shrewsbury but their one shot on target proved to be more than our five. They didn’t get in our box at all, as their goal came from outside the box from 20 yards.

“We also played most of the game in their half and that’s what is going against us at the moment. We need to be better in the opposition box, we need to find that killer instinct.”

Wycombe had started the stronger and could have taken the lead after 21 minutes, Luke Leahy’s free-kick tipped over the bar, before David Wheeler fired wide.

Instead, five minutes before half-time, Shrewsbury hit the front when Perry picked up the ball from distance and drove it home for his third of the season.

A hamstring injury had kept Perry on the sidelines but he showed no ill-effects on his return, with a scorching finish to secure all three points.

And for manager Matty Taylor, who has had to deal with an injury crisis in recent weeks, the performance showed just why he was so keen to get his midfielder back.

He said: “It was an unbelievable goal by Taylor Perry and we want more of that from him, that’s why it was so important for him to come back into the squad and he’s performed really well.

“He was exceptional as well as the rest of the group.

“I don’t actually remember (goalkeeper) Marko Marosi having to make an outstanding save in the game, but I did see everyone put their body on the line for this team.

“Wycombe may not have as many points as they want but to come here against a bigger team in the league and come away with that result, with the players they put on, it’s fantastic.

“I played with Sam Vokes in the Premier League (from 2014 to 2016 with Burnley), Lyle Taylor was at Nottingham Forest last year, and they’ve got a good squad of players.

“But we defended very well and I’m very happy for the fans that travelled here because it’s a long way for them.”

Both Shaun Maloney and Michael Skubala agreed the goalless Sky Bet League One draw between Wigan and Lincoln was a fair result.

It was the visitors who registered the only shot on target, through Ethan Hamilton in the first half, as defences reigned in miserable conditions at the DW Stadium.

“It was a pretty even game really,” said Wigan boss Maloney.

“I thought they were very good defensively, Lincoln, as they have been in the last few games under the new manager.

“We found it very hard to break them down and probably didn’t do quite enough to win the game.

“We were just slightly off it and, against a team that is very well organised, we didn’t create enough with the amount of possession we had.”

Lincoln chief Skubala added: “We knew we were coming to play against a side that are very good at home and, to a man, we were really on it.

“They were trying to drag us all over the place but we’d worked on that in training and what I’d call ‘shifting’ as a back five, while also being as aggressive as we could.

“We pressed them from minute one, and for a good 70 minutes we stopped them from playing.

“If you look at the conditions, it’s always difficult to play in the wind and the rain.

“They had a couple of moments, we had a couple of half-chances, we probably edged the first half and they probably edged the second half.

“They have good players, you have to respect that, and they have good players on the bench to bring on.

“But so do we, and I was really pleased with the boys we brought on and the impact we had on the game.

“We see it as a big point and that’s what I’ve told the lads, don’t be disappointed with that.”

Wigan came desperately close to a winning goal with five minutes to go when Jordan Jones’ cross was fumbled by Lukas Jensen, with substitute Chris Sze firing home the rebound.

However, the official ruled Jensen had been fouled by fellow home substitute Charlie Wyke as he attempted to regather the ball, and Wigan’s celebrations were short-lived.

“I’ve watched it a couple of times back and, from the angle I had, I think it was probably the wrong decision,” said Maloney. “Just in terms of the goalkeeper dropping the ball before the contact with Charlie.

“But I won’t complain too much because, as I said, I don’t think we did quite enough to win the game.

“I try not to complain too much about decisions that don’t go our way, it is what it is. Sometimes they go for you, and sometimes they go the other way.

“But I can’t really say anything negative about the players, because what I really liked about the second half was the way they stayed patient.”

Skubala said: “I’ve not had time to watch it back, but it looked a bit of a scrappy one. It is what it is.”

Barnsley head coach Neill Collins praised the “fantastic finish” of top scorer Devante Cole that helped his side on their way to a 3-1 League One victory at lowly Reading.

Reading went in front in the fourth minute through Harvey Knibbs, with his ninth goal of the season, but Herbie Kane levelled before the break from a penalty.

Cole gave Barnsley the lead 10 minutes from time with a powerful 25-yard drive – his 12th goal of the campaign – and Max Watters settled the issue in the 87th minute.

“Devante first steadied himself then it was a fantastic finish, especially for all our travelling fans,” Collins said.

“That gave us the opportunity to win the game and then we had the same bit of quality from Fabio Jalo to put the ball across for Max to finish.

“We actually started the game well but then we found ourselves 1-0 down from Reading’s first attack off a set-piece.

“I don’t think that knocked us too much, I think our players looked quite a threat at times.

“But when we got back into the game, when we got our goal, we then probably had our worst spell until half-time. After that, we pushed on well to win the game.

“It was quite open at times but I thought we made use of that really well and got two fantastic goals to win it.

“There was a lot to be pleased with and I’m glad we were able to come from behind and win. It’s something we’ve been threatening to do.

“We’ve come from behind to draw but not quite got it over the line to win. Today we did that.”

Reading remain off the bottom of League One only thanks to a better goal difference than Cheltenham.

Manager Ruben Selles said: “We started well, scored first and then had a chance to score a second through a header from Tyler Bindon.

“Then we conceded a penalty, which was an unfortunate one, so we go in at 1-1 at half-time.

“In the second half, we made a few mistakes – especially with Barnsley’s second goal. We should have defended it better.

“And then in the moments that we try to make substitutions and go for the game, we just let it go to 3-1. We need to continue working on those moments.

“We made a couple of bad decisions. I think we can do better.

“But we still showed that we are competitive and that we can compete against any opponent. We just need to be able to do it for 100 minutes.”

Neil Critchley is desperate for Jordan Rhodes to stay at Blackpool after the veteran striker bagged two goals in their 3-0 win against Carlisle.

Rhodes signed on a season-long loan from Huddersfield last summer but the Terriers have the option to recall him next month.

Rhodes is bang in form and took his season’s tally to 13 on Saturday, while Huddersfield need all the help they can get in their battle against relegation from the Championship.

No decision has been taken but manager Critchley is determined to make the most of the 33-year-old and has urged his young forwards to learn all they can after he scored twice in the second half.

“I felt we were comfortable and the second goal was a real bit of quality from Jordan. That settled us down and we were comfortable,” said Critchley.

“We watch Jordan and try and learn from him and he’s a good example to our strikers who have not had his career. They should be aspiring to achieve what he’s done.

“His positioning inside the penalty box and his patience, his movement, cleverness and ability to finish off both feet or his head is outstanding. We’re delighted he’s here and we really want that to continue for the year.”

The Seasiders went ahead through Andy Lyons, who chipped Tomas Holy after the Carlisle goalkeeper fumbled a cross.

Blackpool dominated and deservedly added a second when Rhodes reacted quickest to a rebound in the box.

The Scottish striker then took his tally to 13 for the season with a clinical finish late on.

“It was a good finish from Andy Lyons and good cross for the second goal, it was a good all-round team performance,” Critchley added.

“When teams come here and want to frustrate you, it becomes doubly difficult. The first goal can be crucial, and we got it.”

Carlisle were toothless as they succumbed to their 11th league defeat of the season.

Alfie McDermott and Jordan Gibson had their best chances but they were comfortably outplayed and manager Paul Simpson admits they do not have the quality required at this level.

“There was a difference there,” he said.

“I’m really disappointed with our performance, but it’s not through a lack of effort. It’s through a lack of quality – that’s my opinion on it.

“We’ve been poor on the ball today, poor in our decision-making, but I think they’ve tried to do the right things. That’s the base we should expect.

“We’re short. We have to get through to January and it’s as simple as that.

“Everybody has to react in the right way and we’ve got two home games coming up that we have to do properly.”

Charlton head coach Michael Appleton felt referee Thomas Kirk had “a shocker” for Cambridge’s dramatic late equaliser at The Valley.

The Addicks looked to be coasting towards maximum points as they led 2-0 going into the closing stages after second-half goals from Alfie May and Chem Campbell.

Gassan Ahadme sparked hopes of a comeback when he headed home George Thomas’ corner and then the Ipswich loanee converted a penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time, securing new Cambridge boss Neil Harris a point in his first game in charge.

Kirk awarded the spot-kick despite Tayo Edun’s foul on Jack Lankester appearing to be just outside of the box.

“I’m not going to defend the referee because it is indefensible,” said Appleton.

“Before the lad has even hit the ground the whistle is in his mouth. He has given the penalty and it is clearly outside the box.

“I just told him he had a shocker. Clearly that is what linesmen are there to do – to try and help make decisions. But I don’t think he even gave the linesman an opportunity to make a call or a say on it.

“There are so many mixtures of emotions. The way the first half panned out a lot of players looked a little bit nervous and anxious – they struggled playing with an expectation on them, which is a little bit alarming at half-time.

“Having said that, with the changes we’ve had to make over the last couple of weeks and the players we haven’t got playing at the minute due to injury – the physical presence they have – it wasn’t a massive surprise.

“In the second half we were on the front foot, aggressive and passed the ball forward much more like ourselves. We go 2-0 up and could’ve scored another couple.

“Just little bits of detail have let us down at the end. We can’t allow a free header from seven yards. It is impossible to allow that to happen at any level of football.”

Former Millwall, Cardiff and Gillingham boss Harris signed an 18-month deal with the U’s earlier this week.

“First half we were outstanding and if we’d come in 3-0 up then you’d still feel Charlton got away with that – it could’ve been four or five because we were that good,” said Harris.

“The response to come back from a two-goal deficit was terrific. No-one switched off or downed tools.

“No-one gave up and the subs made an impact. The character, resilience, camaraderie and quality to come back in that game like we did, I can’t praise the players highly enough.

“I’ve always enjoyed friendly banter with Charlton fans. Of course to come from behind like I did, as I did in my first game as Cardiff manager here after being 2-0 down, is quite fitting for me. My first three days in the job have been mega.”

Dino Maamria was sacked as Burton manager following his side’s 2-1 defeat to promotion-chasing Stevenage.

Deji Oshilaja gave Albion a seventh-minute lead, converting the rebound after Joe Powell’s penalty was saved by Taye Ashby-Hammond.

But Kane Hemmings struck against his former side on the stroke of half-time and Jamie Reid kept his cool from the penalty spot to condemn Burton to a fifth defeat in six winless games in League One.

That run has seen Burton slip down the table, with Maamria leaving them in 19th place, four points above the relegation zone.

A statement from chairman Ben Robinson read: “Dino Maamria has been relieved of his first-team duties with immediate effect.”

Maamria performed his post-match media duties but was in sombre and reflective mood of not only the game but his time at the club before learning of his departure.

“I thought we started well in very tough conditions,” Maamria said.

“We dealt with a number of long balls and then went ahead, deservedly, I thought and then last minute of the half we switch off at the back post and then they score to go in at half time one-one.

“Second goal it comes from a poor throw out and their players pick it up. KB (Kwadwo Baah) is trying to get back in position but they get a penalty.

“It is tough to take. Ultimately I have been at this club two weeks short of three years and I have loved my time here. I think the fans have been magnificent with me throughout that time, a lot of players and a lot of staff.

“It is a winning business and I haven’t won enough games. We had a good October but overall I understand the fans frustrations. Football is a winning business and we didn’t win today.”

Stevenage boss Steve Evans hailed his side as they maintained their League One promotion push.

Evans, whose team are third, said: “It was an outstanding performance. Maybe we were still trying to deal with the conditions in the first 10 minutes and we were a bit sloppy leading to them getting the penalty.

“We had a perfectly good goal disallowed with one that was over the line, having seen the footage and the stills, but in fairness to the referee there were a lot of bodies in the way but then you look to the assistant, so we felt a bit hard done to.

“I thought we became really strong in the last 20 minutes before half-time, got the goal, and perhaps we should be turning round in front, despite the penalty and then, I think, second half, we controlled it. It was inventive and it was bright.

“For 70 minutes, how could you not be commending that sort of performance and we come away with a very hard fought and deserved three points.”

Paul Warne could not contain his delight after watching his Derby side complete a comfortable 3-0 League One win at 10-man Leyton Orient, their first victory at Brisbane Road since the 1964-65 season.

The Rams had gone ahead in the first half with a sublime strike from Louie Sibley before Orient defender Brandon Cooper was sent off for elbowing James Collins.

After the interval, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and substitute Tom Barkhuizen netted one apiece to earn the visitors their fifth-successive league win as they moved up a spot to fifth.

“Obviously I’m very pleased,” Warne said. “We’re in it to win games of course and it’s good to see the lads in good fettle.

“They are good friends on and off the pitch and I think the team plays better when you have that in the dressing room. We have real confidence and you need that to win games and I thought we were handsome for the win.

“It was a really good day at the office. We could have played better in parts of the game but it’s all about winning so when you come away from home and keep a clean sheet and win then I don’t think you can have too many complaints as a manager.

“I liked the fact we won the game, scored three goals and created lots of chances.

“Our third one was a counter-attack from their corner and I enjoyed seeing six of my players running like the wind to get on the end of it. We were pretty solid and energetic but to be successful we need to be striving to the next level.

Orient coach Matt Harrold reflected: “I thought that we started the game great and things happened in the first 10 minutes which we worked on in training where we were on the front foot and everything was OK.

“But then they score a goal – probably against the run of play – and at the minute things are going against us and so it’s kind of where we are at the moment.

“Last week we were poor at Chesterfield but I thought we put on a good performance today but we’re giving ourselves a mountain to climb by conceding a goal and then losing a player to a red card which has a big bearing on the result.

“At two-nil down, we score one but have it ruled out for offside and then Derby score a third where we just not good enough and it’s those details against good teams where we have to be much, much better.”

Harrold had no complaints about the dismissal of Cooper.

“At the time I wasn’t sure as my view was the other side but having watched our red card again, I don’t think we can have any complaints and it doesn’t look good on the video,” he admitted.

Northampton boss Jon Brady was thrilled after his side made it four wins in five league games by beating Fleetwood 3-0 at Sixfields.

The Cobblers seized control after an even start when scoring twice in four minutes as Mitch Pinnock finished off an excellent team move before Sam Hoskins scored his 12th of the season from the penalty spot.

Fleetwood had lots of the ball in the second half but they struggled to create chances and their misery was complete in stoppage time thanks to Pinnock’s superb finish.

Northampton are up to 12th in League One and are as close to the play-offs as they are to relegation.

“I’m really happy,” said Brady. “I was so pleased with how we played and I thought it was a very professional performance.

“It was good to get the first goal quite early and then score a second one quickly afterwards and then in the second half they have to gamble a bit but we still got more chances on the break.

“Fleetwood have some very good players. I know their recent results haven’t been great but they’ve dominated possession and they’ve been in a lot of their games.

“They had 30 shots away at Stevenage but Stevenage had three and they all went in so they are a good side but the way we played and some of the football we played was really good.

“The boys were excellent, especially in the conditions. The pitch was difficult because of all the rain but to do what we did was very pleasing.”

Fleetwood remain in the relegation zone and have now conceded 16 goals and scored none in their last five games across all competitions.

Manager Lee Johnson said: “There’s a part of me that feels it wasn’t a 3-0 game but there’s also a part of me that says we’ve conceded three goals and (Jay) Lynchy’s had to make two fantastic saves.

“I thought the first 20 minutes were pretty even, territorially we probably edged it but there was always the risk of our line being cut open.

“The first goal is so important at this level and it’s a really poor goal to concede. We give a decent opponent too much space and you just can’t do that.

“We have a very young back four and although there’s quality in there, there’s also a naivety and we’ve got to try and coach discipline into them because individual errors are costing us.

“It was very passionate at half-time and that was from both the players and the staff and that’s good because it wasn’t just coming from me.

“We need to be more together as a team and we need to move out any guys who are not fully behind us for whatever reasons. That’s just a natural evolution of the squad.”

Boss Darren Ferguson hailed his Peterborough side for turning the Weston Homes Stadium into a fortress after demolishing promotion rivals Oxford 3-0.

Hector Kyprianou and Ricky-Jade Jones struck their fourth league goals of the season during a dominant first-half display.

Substitute Ryan De Havilland put the seal on a stunning success with his first Football League strike for the club in second-half stoppage time.

Ferguson’s men moved to within a point of the automatic promotion places thanks to a result which extended their unbeaten run on their own turf to 13 games in all competitions.

Ferguson said: “I’m very pleased with both the performance and the result. It’s a good victory against another team who have been going well.

“It took a little while to get going but then we started to do things quicker and got a grip of the game as we scored.

“We got the second goal and the game should have really been over by half-time as we had two more massive chances to kill it off.

“I told the lads not to worry about missing chances as they would keep creating more and that’s what happened.

“We were thoroughly deserving winners and I’m delighted with the home form. There are chances being created, there are lots of goals and there are clean sheets.

“We could have scored double figures in each of the last three league games at home quite easily.

“It’s really important we continue this home form and back it up with more wins away.”

Oxford boss Des Buckingham saw his wait for a first league win in the hotseat continue after they were brushed aside.

Billy Bodin had a penalty appeal waved away on the hour but they rarely looked like making a comeback.

Buckingham admitted: “We simply weren’t good enough.

“We can talk about tough conditions with the weather and the pitch and so on but we have to remove the excuses.

“If you give a team like this a two-goal lead, you’re going to find it very difficult to come back into a game.

“We know we’re not quite where we need to be. I’ll take responsibility for that and the players will also.

“What people see on the outside and what people see on the inside are very different. Those that know me know that.

“I’ve been here for two weeks and had five games in that time. At some point I need to put my stamp on things. It’s a fine balance to strike but now is that time.

“We had three good results leading into this game but the league is the priority for us and we need to react on Tuesday night (against Reading).”

New Bristol Rovers manager Matt Taylor admitted to being amazed how poorly his team played in their 1-1 draw with bottom-of-the-table Cheltenham Town at the Memorial Stadium.

Taylor had veteran full-back Jack Hunt to thank for sparing his blushes in his first home game in charge since succeeding Joey Barton as he cancelled out Will Goodwin’s opener.

“It was incredible to witness that first half because there were so many mistakes and so many moments where we weren’t in control of our own game,” Taylor said.

“We were slow and a bit stodgy and we were waiting for moments to appear and when that happens you get a lot going through your brain.

“And footballers can’t have too many thoughts going through their mind because they become indecisive.”

And the former Rotherham boss added: “We weren’t where we needed to be during that first half and I told the players it could only get better.

“We certainly couldn’t get any worse and I challenged them to start showing more of what we are made of.

“And then to see the difference in the second half was impressive – it really was night and day as we went from being a poor team to being a really effective team.

“We played quicker football with a brighter tempo and we looked like a different side.

“We could have gone on and won it but I’d have snapped your hand off at half-time for a point after how we played but I’ m learning so much in a short space of time.”

Striker Will Goodwin put the Robins in command on 28 minutes, coolly slotting in from 10 yards after a counter-attack led by George Lloyd to record his fifth goal this season.

Hunt, making his 500th senior appearance, equalised on 50 minutes, acrobatically poking a bouncing ball beyond Luke Southwood after good work by Luke Thomas.

Cheltenham’s ex-Rovers manager Darrell Clarke headed back up the M5 with mixed feelings.

“The most pleasing aspect is that the dressing room is disappointed that we haven’t won the game and that’s a good sign,” Clarke said.

“We scored a good goal and kept our shape nicely in the swirling wind but didn’t handle the first 15-20 minutes of the second half well when they came back into it.

“We knew they couldn’t play as badly in the second half as they did in the first so we were braced for them to come at us.

“We conceded a sloppy, scruffy goal but we didn’t chuck in the towel, they didn’t roll over and got more impetus as the game went on and that bodes well.

“So I’m sat here with mixed emotions but it was probably a fair result because we were better in the first half, they had the upper hand.”

While the Robins remain rooted to the bottom of the League One table, Clarke is upbeat about his side’s chances of beating the drop.

“We’ve now taken four points from three tough game and we keep going and we’re just trying to claw teams back,” Clarke said.

“I can’t ask for more from the players because they’re giving me everything in terms of effort, determination and grit but we’re playing for snookers because of our bad start to the season.”

Exeter manager Gary Caldwell vowed he would fight on despite seeing his side’s winless League One run extend to 11 games with a 1-0 home defeat to Port Vale.

Oliver Arblaster netted the only goal of the game after 29 minutes, while the hosts lost captain Will Aimson to a red card for a second booking at the death.

Exeter have scored only twice in that time and it is evident where their problem lies and, at full-time, a vocal but growing minority made their feelings clear with chants of ‘Caldwell out’.

“It was another frustrating game and it feels like Deja-vu,” he said. “I thought the players gave everything and we were the better team in the game, but we just can’t put it in the back of the net.

“We have to keep going and stick together. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I think it’s a vocal minority.

“The supporters since I’ve been here have been absolutely incredible and a lot of the supporters that stayed at the end are supporting me, the staff and the players.

“We can change the manager, but a new manager is not going to put the ball in the back of the net. I understand the frustration, but we have an opportunity to improve things in January.

“If I sense any negativity from the players on what we are trying to do, then I won’t need the fans to sing for me to go, I’ll know if I have lost the dressing room, or if the club aren’t going in the right direction and I’ll be the first one to go and speak to the board.”

Port Vale scored the only goal of the game on the half-hour mark when Ben Garrity flicked on a near-post corner and Arblaster finished from close range to end an 11-match winless run for the Valiants.

Manager Andy Crosby said: “We knew the importance of this game, given the positions we are both in and the run both teams have been on.

“It wasn’t a vintage performance, we were under pressure for most of the second half and we couldn’t quite get that last pass away but we defended our box with courage, bravery and leadership.

“The conditions played a part. It was windy and blustery and for the fans to travel down here today was great.

“I would like to say a massive thank you and it is about time we rewarded them with three points. It hasn’t been for the want of trying. We are all giving absolutely everything and sometimes small moments win games.

“Sometimes you come out of the right side of them and sometimes you don’t. I am just proud we have been rewarded as a group for sticking to what we believe in.

“Most of the second half we were under the cosh and we defended well. I am not sure how many saves our keeper has had to made but we defended our box well.”

Derby made it five League One wins from their last five games as they cruised to a 3-0 victory away to 10-man Leyton Orient.

Louie Sibley scored in the first half before O’s defender Brandon Cooper was dismissed and then Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Tom Barkhuizen added one apiece in the second period.

Playing with energy and enthusiasm, the Rams had squandered a couple of excellent chances before they took the lead after 34 minutes through Sibley.

He collected a pass and bore down unchallenged on goal before delivering a sublime drive from 22 yards that nestled low into the bottom corner of the net.

And the O’s misery was compounded nine minutes later when Cooper was sent off by referee David Rock after elbowing James Collins as the pair clashed just inside the Orient half.

Derby doubled their lead two minutes into the second half when skipper Conor Hourihane picked out the unmarked Mendez-Laing, who had the simplest of chances to net his sixth goal of the campaign.

Totally in control, the visitors added to their tally when Mendez-Laing fed substitute Barkhuizen a simple opportunity after the pair had broken out quickly following an Orient corner.

Oliver Arblaster was on target as Port Vale won the battle of League One’s out of form teams with a narrow 1-0 win at Exeter.

It was the Valiants’ first win in 11 league games and stretched Exeter’s winless run to 11, with the home fans again voicing their frustrations at full-time towards under-fire manager Gary Caldwell.

Exeter made a positive start to the game and should have gone in front when Immy Niskanen’s cross fell to Harry Kite at the back post, but his shot was charged down by Connor Ripley.

The visitors responded with Conor Grant dragging a shot wide from 18 yards, but they went in front after 30 minutes when a corner was flicked on at the near post by Ben Garrity and Arblaster finished from close range.

Exeter were booed off at the break and Yanic Wildschut drew a save from Ripley early in the second half, while Niskanen missed a great chance when he scuffed Pierce Sweeney’s cross into the ground and the ball was headed behind.

The home side huffed and puffed, but they lacked quality in the final third and Exeter’s miserable afternoon was compounded in stoppage time when captain Will Aimson was sent off for a second yellow card.