Port Vale boss Andy Crosby saluted the character of his team, and Alfie Devine’s coolness under pressure, after his team regrouped to snatch a winner deep into stoppage time in a dramatic 2-1 success at nine-man Oxford.

Alex Iacovitti’s 63rd-minute goal for Vale was cancelled out by Greg Leigh’s equaliser three minutes into time added on at the end.

That looked to be how the game would finish, with Oxford undoubtedly the happier with the result having had both Mark Harris and then Leigh sent off moments after his goal for a second yellow card.

However, in the game’s dying seconds, eight minutes into stoppage time, Fin Stevens fouled Ben Garrity and Devine stepped up to calmly convert the penalty to earn Vale a memorable victory.

Crosby said: “All credit to the players, it was a great response in the second half.

“In the first half we allowed a really good team to dominate the ball and couldn’t get out of that block.

“The sending-off of Harris allowed us to get a control of the game. We got ourselves in front from a set play, which we had spoken about pre-game, because we had looked to see if we could identify potential weaknesses they might have. We’re disappointed we couldn’t hold on to that.

“Their threat was mainly in transition and we knocked off a bit in the box, and then the game is looking like we have maybe lost two points.

“But then we find a great pass in the final third, Ben (Garrity) takes a lovely touch too when facing their goalie and gets brought down – and I’m thinking all three of our penalty takers have come off the pitch!

“I’m looking around and thinking ‘make a decision quick’ – and all credit to Alfie, to take that penalty in that pressurised situation says a lot about him and epitomises everything about my group.”

Oxford head coach Liam Manning admitted it was a difficult result to take, saying: “There’s huge frustration from my point of view.

“All credit to Port Vale for the win, but to me it was that we lost it.

“We have spoken a lot about behaviour and discipline and really that went out the window in the second half.

“I’ve seen the video of the Mark Harris incident and it does appear to be an elbow, so I’ve got no complaints about that. The ref’s performance, to my mind, contributed to all that.

“We showed spirit and intensity to get back into the game – you can’t then have another mad moment as we did.

“Let’s be honest, we don’t often train with nine men. It was an emotional afternoon for everyone.

“I was pleased with elements of the first half, when I thought we were in control, but in the second half we started too slowly.

“I’ve spoken with Mark (Harris) – we shouldn’t be giving the officials the opportunity to make those decisions. We shifted the momentum away from us with those sendings-off.

“Yes, you don’t want something like that, but it did happen and it’s then a question of how you respond. The main thing is that we stay focused.

“But let’s remember, we have had a terrific run of results and the biggest thing for me is remembering just how far we have come.”

Northampton boss Jon Brady was left fuming at the officials after claiming “two bad decisions” cost his side during their 1-0 home defeat to Wycombe.

Richard Keogh scored the only goal after five minutes at Sixfields but Brady felt the initial free-kick in the build up should never have been awarded.

His side went on to dominate the rest of the game, taking 20 shots to Wycombe’s seven, but they were unable to turn their pressure into goals.

“It’s a tough one to come away from that game and not have anything to show for our efforts but it’s two poor decisions from the referee,” said Brady.

“It’s not a free-kick in the first place and then when the ball comes in, Kieron (Bowie) gets back on the line to head it out but (Garath) McCleary and Keogh are on the line with him and they’re both offside.

“We don’t defend it right because Mitch (Pinnock) gets a nick on the ball when he goes to clear it and Max (Thompson) has to adjust at the last second but Kieron does brilliantly on the line and it should be offside.

“The officials got it wrong and we were two bad decisions from taking at least a point. We totally dominated, we pulled them apart and it was just the execution in the penalty box that let us down.”

Wycombe manager Matt Bloomfield admitted it was far from the ideal performance by his side but he felt delighted to make it successive away wins.

He said: “It’s been a tiring week but I think the boys showed real character and grit. It probably wasn’t the performance we wanted in terms of how the game went.

“But we got the early goal and we showed the determination to see that through and it’s obviously very pleasing to get another win away from home.

“We were chuffed to start on the front foot but I think it might have impacted the psychology of the game and we changed formation a couple of times to try and get a foothold in the game.

“We’re happy with the result but you always want more, but the lads were excellent in the way we went about it tactically and a lot of their shots came from outside of the box.

“We knew they would do that because Northampton like to take a lot of shots with the likes of Sam Hoskins and Mitch Pinnock but I felt like we kept them at arm’s length.

“The subs came on and made a big difference in the second half so it was a real squad effort today and I’m really pleased with that.”

Paul Simpson insists Carlisle have “something to build on” after his side claimed their first win of the League One season by beating Shrewsbury 2-0.

Substitute Joe Garner’s stoppage-time strike added to Tom Bayliss’ own goal as the Cumbrians moved out of the relegation zone.

“It’s a big win for us,” Simpson said.

“The first one is always the hardest. It did get a bit nervy towards the end of the game before we got that second goal, because they’re a good side.

“They caused us a lot of problems. Their forward players caused us problems, but I thought we defended really well as a team today because we had to – that’s the truth of it, we had to defend well.

“I think the base of any performance is defending well, so we’ve done that side of it and then we’ve had some good football. We’ve got ourselves into good areas.

“We probably haven’t been as clinical as I would like, but a lot of good things today from the players, some brilliant stuff from the supporters, and it gives us something to build on.”

Shrewsbury left-back Mal Benning, making his first league start for the club since signing from Port Vale in the summer, nearly broke the deadlock in the eighth minute, but his strike was diverted narrowly wide.

Down at the other end, Jordan Gibson’s shot from just outside the box was pushed over the crossbar by Marko Marosi as the first half ended goalless.

Carlisle took the lead in the 57th minute when Owen Moxon’s corner hit a couple of Shrewsbury players before going in off Bayliss.

The Cumbrians quickly came close to doubling their advantage, with Jon Mellish slicing an attempt wide before Luke Plange’s effort from Callum Guy’s cross hit the post and went wide.

Daniel Udoh threatened to grab an equaliser for the visitors in the 68th minute, but his powerful effort was well saved by Jokull Andresson.

Carlisle’s much-needed victory was sealed in the sixth minute of stoppage time as Garner found the net from fellow substitute Terry Ablade’s cross.

Shrewsbury boss Matt Taylor felt his side were worthy of a draw, but still believes they could have performed better on the day.

“I felt that there wasn’t a huge amount in the game for either team to be perfectly frank,” he said.

“But they’re obviously a lot happier than we are because they’ve got the three points.

“It’s difficult, I think, when you’re chasing the game and you want to try and get back in it.

“And then, ultimately, I think we conceded in the 96th minute and we’re trying to get ourselves a goal.

“But I’m disappointed in the level of performance and, I suppose, the bravery that we had on the ball because it probably wasn’t as good as we have been.”

Charlton interim boss Jason Pearce praised the work ethic of Alfie May after the striker’s double earned a 2-1 victory over Fleetwood.

May, a summer signing from Cheltenham, scored for the third successive match and took his tally for the campaign to four goals as the Addicks ended a four-match losing streak in Sky Bet League One.

Chem Campbell’s perceptive pass put the 30-year-old through and he threaded his finish confidently past Cod Army keeper Stephen McMullen in the 43rd minute. It wiped out Jayden Stockley’s header which had put the visitors in front in the 16th minute.

Charlton’s second-half pressure finally paid off in the 73rd minute. Fleetwood defender Olabusun Lawal tripped Corey Blackett-Taylor inside the penalty area and May opted to lash his spot-kick straight down the middle.

Pearce, placed in charge after manager Dean Holden was sacked on Sunday, said: “Alfie keeps getting in the right place and the right time. He’s a natural goalscorer. As long as we provide the service then he’ll get the goals.

“What I’ve liked since he came in is that his work rate is outstanding. At the end of the game he is doing doggies back and forth for the team.

“Hopefully this win kick-starts the season. I could feel the second goal was coming – shooting towards the Covered End, with the fans behind us. I felt at the time we needed to get someone up there with Alfie and changed to a 4-4-2, went a little more attacking, and it paid off.

“In the first half I was a little bit disappointed. The first time we put the ball behind them was Alfie May’s goal – our counter-press when we lost the ball wasn’t good enough and defending our box needs to be better. We had a little pop at them at half-time, they agreed with us and performed very well in the second half.”

Fleetwood have taken one point from a possible 18.

Head coach Scott Brown said: “We controlled large periods of the first half and were the better team, yet again someone makes a mistake and we get punished – one shot on target.

“They start the second half a little more eager and with more positivity, then Roons (Shaun Rooney) switches off then Blackett-Taylor gets in behind.

“It’s one mistake after another at this moment in time. We are giving teams encouragement to score.

“They didn’t really play through us and that one time they do, we’re not big enough and brave enough to hold the positions. Don’t give away penalties and make it easy for them.

“The first half we were by far the better team, they didn’t know how to deal with us. We need to be more ruthless. We get in behind and cause problems but we don’t pick the right pass – we panic. Alfie May gets in there and scores.

“We’ve not got that little bit of quality in the final third.”

Exeter boss Gary Caldwell praised a “perfect away performance” after a 1-0 win at Burton sent the Grecians top of League One.

On-loan midfielder Ryan Trevitt scored the winner in the 75th minute.

“Absolutely delighted to come away from home and I thought it was a perfect away performance and a brilliant three points,” Caldwell said.

“I am really proud of them. We came with a clear game plan to dominate possession and control the game. With that you are always going to have to defend long throws and corners here.

“They are a good side that put you under a lot of pressure and when we were asked to do that, I thought we were excellent.”

Exeter survived a scare when Albion skipper John Brayford hit the bar inside the first 90 seconds before growing into the game.

Caldwell said: “We had to compete in those first 15 minutes to see off that early threat and then after 20 minutes or so we got control of the game and dominated possession and from there I felt very comfortable.”

Exeter proved difficult to break down and Caldwell praised the whole team approach to games.

“Our number nine is our first defender, and our goalkeeper is our first attacker,” he added.

“The way we want to play is to have that team ethos and right now we are getting both parts of the game right.”

Burton boss Dino Maamria had to watch from the stands as he served a one-match touchline ban and also saw his side finish with 10 men when substitute Steve Seddon was sent off for a second yellow card deep in added time.

“It was very tough for me,” he admitted.

“I never want to experience that again. Probably my team needed me today on the sidelines to inject that bit of energy in the second half.

“Exeter are a good team, very rigid and they don’t give a lot of chances away.

“I thought we had most of the game in the first half, but it was always going to be a tight game and whoever was going to score first, it was going to be difficult for the other team to come back.

“It was a sweet shot from Trevitt right into the bottom corner and we sent all our attackers on and some of them showed glimpses of what we can expect when they are fit.”

Goals have been a problem for the Brewers with most of their strikers injured or only just returning to fitness, but Maamria hopes that with two weeks off players will return and fortunes change.

He added: “Hopefully we can get some of our forward players back fit and that is what we are lacking. Everyone can see that we are lacking goals at the top end.”

Bristol Rovers remain without a home win in Sky Bet League One despite clawing back a point against Lincoln in an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Memorial Stadium.

Substitute Josh Grant’s header in the fourth minute of stoppage time saw the hosts equalise late in the game when the 24-year-old met an Antony Evans corner with the ball deflecting in.

Lincoln took the lead in the 53rd minute through captain Adam Jackson when he bundled home from close range after goalkeeper Matt Cox had palmed out an Ethan Erhahon volley into a crowded area.

The Rovers players claimed that there had been a handball in the build-up when the ball came off Alistair Smith, but referee Lewis Smith disagreed and Jackson capitalised as the ball broke to him.

The home side dominated possession and territory for much of the game, but failed to make the most of several first-half chances.

Jackson blocked a low Aaron Collins effort after Luke Thomas’ good run after 15 minutes, and Sean Roughan’s sliding challenge stopped Collins volleying home in the 32nd minute.

Kenny Dougall scored an injury-time winner to help Blackpool beat Wigan 2-1 at Bloomfield Road.

Jordan Rhodes handed the hosts the advantage before Wigan’s Josh Magennis headed Latics level as full-time approached.

However, Dougall’s injury-time strike secured three points for Blackpool.

The Tangerines took a fifth-minute lead when CJ Hamilton’s cross found Rhodes, who produced a clinical finish to score his first Seasiders goal.

Jensen Weir’s curling effort in the 10th minute was parried away by Wigan’s Sam Tickle before Callum Connolly’s free-kick tested the Latics stopper.

After the break, Tickle kept another Weir effort out before opposite number Daniel Grimshaw produced a great stop of his own to deny Callum Lang after a sweeping Wigan counterattack before the hour mark.

Latics stopper Tickle’s impressive game continued when he stopped Jake Beesley’s effort.

Magennis levelled with two minutes remaining by nodding past Grimshaw from Stephen Humphrys’ fine cross as Latics thought they had grabbed a point.

But the late drama continued as Matty Virtue’s low cross was turned in by fellow substitute Dougall to secure victory for Blackpool.

Colby Bishop was among the goals as Portsmouth took revenge for their mid-week Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Peterborough with a 3-1 win in their Sky Bet League One clash at Fratton Park.

Posh took the lead after 20 minutes as, with plenty of room and only one defender to beat, Ricky Jade Jones cut inside and curled the ball into the far corner.

Pompey equalised in the 38th minute when a Marlon Pack cross found Bishop to head home from close range.

Within five minutes, Pompey had the lead. A corner from the right saw Kwame Poku slice the ball into his own six-yard box for a surprised Abu Kamara to sweep home.

After Peterborough midfielder Hector Kyprianou headed against his own bar, Pompey stretched their advantage after 59 minutes when a powerful low cross from Kamara saw Regan Poole net from close range.

Joe Morrell saw red for the home side after a second yellow five minutes from time, but Pompey held on for the points.

Richard Keogh scored the only goal of the game as Wycombe beat Northampton 1-0 at Sixfields.

The decisive moment of the contest came after just five minutes when goalkeeper Max Thompson fumbled Luke Leahy’s free-kick and the ball was forced over the line by Keogh.

The home side responded well to that early setback as Patrick Brough side-footed wide and Sam Hoskins went close with a couple of efforts before Sam Sherring headed over.

Louis Appere failed to beat Max Stryjek as another Northampton chance went begging, and the hosts continue to dominate with Hoskins dragging a low shot wide from the edge of the box.

Appere prodded beyond the far post and it was more of the same in the second half with Stryjek flying to his right to keep out Hoskins.

Wycombe’s goalkeeper was having a busy afternoon and he also got his body behind Appere’s shot, but Northampton lost momentum as the second half wore on and Wycombe were able to see out the rest of the game without too much trouble.

Promoted Stevenage continued their fine start to the season as they recorded their fourth league win of the campaign after beating last year’s League Two champions Leyton Orient 3-0 at Brisbane Road.

Charlie McNeill marked his debut for Boro with the opening goal after 21 minutes, Dan Sweeney doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time before Nick Freeman wrapped things up with 12 minutes to go.

However, it should have been Orient who drew first blood when Ruel Sotiriou fired against the crossbar with only the keeper to beat after six minutes.

Instead it was teenager McNeil, signed on loan from Manchester United 24 hours earlier, who opened the scoring when he met a free-kick from Dan Butler to steer the ball past Sol Brynn.

The visitors extended their advantage from their fifth corner of the game when Butler’s cross was headed home Sweeney and from there on, Boro bossed the game.

Stevenage keeper Taye Ashby-Hammond had few concerns, although he was at full stretch to deny a Theo Archibald effort.

Boro then ensured the points would be heading home with them when they notched a superb third goal, Freeman volleying the ball into the roof of the net from 25 yards.

Alfie May scored twice as Charlton beat Fleetwood 2-1 to earn their first three points since the opening day of the season.

Both the Addicks, who had placed Jason Pearce in interim charge following the dismissal of Dean Holden last Sunday, and Fleetwood came into the clash at The Valley off the back of four straight Sky Bet League One losses.

Former Charlton striker Jayden Stockley opened the scoring in the 16th minute. He had already hit the underside of the bar with a free-kick before he headed Ryan Broom’s cross past keeper Harry Isted.

Charlton had struggled to create chances before May levelled in the 43rd minute. Wolves loanee Chem Campbell’s pass sent the forward through and he confidently tucked the ball past Stephen McMullen.

The Addicks went in front in the 73rd minute from the penalty spot. Olabosun Lawal brought down Corey Blackett-Taylor and May drilled his kick straight down the middle.

May went close to a hat-trick as first he latched on to a deep Terry Taylor corner but McMullen denied him and then at full-stretch just failed to make contact on a Charlie Kirk cross.

Carlisle picked up their first win of the League One season after beating Shrewsbury 2-0.

Substitute Joe Garner’s late strike added to Tom Bayliss’ own goal as the Cumbrians moved out of the relegation zone.

Shrewsbury left-back Mal Benning, making his first league start for the club since signing from Port Vale in the summer, nearly broke the deadlock in the eighth minute, but his strike was diverted narrowly wide.

Down at the other end, Jordan Gibson’s shot from just outside the box was pushed over the crossbar by Marko Marosi as the first half ended goalless.

Carlisle took the lead in the 57th minute when Owen Moxon’s corner hit a couple of Shrewsbury players before going in off Bayliss.

They quickly came close to doubling their advantage, with Jon Mellish slicing an attempt wide before Luke Plange’s effort from Callum Guy’s cross hit the post and went wide.

Daniel Udoh threatened to grab an equaliser for the visitors in the 68th minute, but his powerful effort was well saved by Jokull Andresson.

Carlisle’s much-needed victory was sealed in the sixth minute of stoppage time as Garner found the net from fellow substitute Terry Ablade’s cross.

Alfie Devine converted a penalty deep into stoppage time to give Port Vale a 2-1 victory at Oxford, who had two players sent off in a madcap second half.

Devine fired the spot-kick past James Beadle in the eighth minute of time added on after Elliott Moore had fouled Ben Garrity.

All of the game’s action came in a dramatic final half-hour.

Oxford striker Mark Harris was shown a straight red card in the 63rd minute following an off-the-ball clash with Vale captain Nathan Smith.

Alex Iacovitti then headed the visitors in front in the 74th minute, glancing home from Devine’s free-kick.

Greg Leigh equalised at the far post three minutes into stoppage time, firing high into the net when Stan Mills’ cross reached him at the far post.

However, left-back Leigh’s delight turned to despair moments later when he was shown a second yellow card for a trip.

Oxford, bidding for a fifth successive victory, were below their best on a warm afternoon, but Vale keeper Conor Ripley produced good saves from Billy Bodin, Cameron Brannagan and Tyler Goodrham before Harris’ red card sparked the frantic finale.

Ryan Trevitt scored for the second away game in succession to earn Exeter a 1-0 win at 10-man Burton that sent them top of League One.

The Brentford loanee fired home from the edge of the box to settle a tight clash at the Pirelli Stadium.

John Brayford almost gave Albion the perfect start, his poked effort rattling the Exeter crossbar inside 90 seconds as Tom Hamer’s long throw threatened to catch the visitors cold.

Max Crocombe produced excellent saves to deny Demetri Mitchell and Reece Cole as Exeter settled but a goalless first half was largely due to Viljami Sinisalo’s crucial save to deny Josh Gordon on the stroke of half-time.

Trevitt was denied by the outstretched leg of Crocombe early in the second half as Exeter threatened and Sinisalo had to produce another good save to deny Albion substitute Steve Seddon.

After Trevitt’s 75th-minute goal, Albion’s afternoon got worse deep into stoppage time when Seddon saw red for a second yellow card as Burton pushed for an equaliser.

Tyrese Fornah’s own goal completed a miserable afternoon for 10-man Derby during Bolton’s 2-1 comeback win in Sky Bet League One.

Wildsmith was sent off after 48 minutes for handling a Dion Charles shot outside his area after he had tackled Victor Adeboyejo in the initial attack.

Josh Vickers, who came on to make his County league debut as Wildsmith’s replacement, was beaten in the 65th minute as Josh Dacres-Cogley’s cross hit Fornah and looped over him.

Bolton fell behind when skipper Conor Hourihane’s 33rd-minute penalty put the visitors in front after Adeboyejo hauled down Callum Elder.

Two minutes before half-time, referee Charles Breakspear awarded another spot-kick – this time for Wanderers – after Korey Smith’s challenge on Josh Sheehan.

Northern Ireland international striker Charles converted for his fifth goal in as many games.

Three minutes after the break, the game took another twist. Substitute Sonny Bradley’s mistake saw Wildsmith attempt to rescue the situation, blocking Adeboyejo’s run but then handling as Charles tried to fire home from 20 yards.

Derby were further frustrated as claims for another penalty for a tackle on Nathaniel Mendez-Laing went unheeded as Bolton won for the first time in four games.