Crawley kept themselves in the hunt for the League Two play-offs with a thumping 4-0 win at Newport, whose own top-seven hopes are now surely over.

Scott Lindsey’s side, who climb to seventh, took just 55 seconds to break the deadlock as Dion Conroy volleyed in Will Wright’s cross.

And Ronan Darcy put the visitors in control with a superbly taken second in the 26th minute when he confidently fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

In between the goals, strikers Will Evans and Offrande Zanzala were guilty of wasting several chances for the hosts and Bryn Morris fired just wide before half-time.

But Crawley could have added to their lead, with Darcy hitting the post and Klaidi Lolos letting himself down with a poor first touch on two occasions.

And Laurence Maguire poked in at the far post from Wright’s free-kick to seal victory on 69 minutes, before substitute Adam Campbell slotted in a fourth in stoppage time.

Aaron Nemane’s stoppage-time equaliser dented MK Dons’ automatic promotion hopes as they drew 3-3 with Notts County.

The visitors took the lead in fine fashion as Max Dean’s neat turn in midfield was followed up with a sensational strike into the roof of Luca Ashby-Hammond’s net.

County almost levelled as Macaulay Langstaff saw his effort cannon back off the crossbar, with Dan Crowley also going close moments later.

The home side’s dominance was rewarded in the final minute of first-half stoppage-time as Nemane’s deflected cross found Sam Austin on the line to score.

Alassana Jatta headed the hosts in front three minutes into the second half after good work from Adam Chicksen.

Dons would draw level with Ellis Harrison grabbing his first of the afternoon with a low finish into the bottom corner in the 64th minute, adding another seven minutes from time after breaking the offside trap and dinking the ball home.

However, the spoils were shared as Jodi Jones’ teasing delivery found Nemane unmarked at the back post to finish.

Forest Green stunned promotion-chasing Crewe as Jordan Garrick struck twice in a 3-0 win.

Steve Cotterill’s strugglers hit three goals in a 15-minute first-half spell then defended resolutely, with keeper Vicente Reyes conjuring heroics in the second half to preserve the lead.

The success ended a three-game losing spell for Forest Green, while adding to the woes of Crewe, who have lost four of their last seven games as their hopes of automatic promotion continue to fade.

Forest Green made a bright start and were ahead in the 13th minute when Christian Doidge seized the ball off Ed Turns and squared for Garrick to go clear on goal and fire past Tom Booth.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 26th minute from a set-piece delivery, with Ryan Inniss meeting Dominic Thompson’s corner with a powerful downward header and Garrick helping the ball over the line.

The home crowd were howling in disapproval when Jamie Robson glanced a header on Charlie McCann’s cross to find the far corner for a third after 28 minutes.

Emmanuel Osadebe went close to grabbing a fourth but his effort  cannoned off the post.

Crewe half-time substitute Aaron Rowe almost made an immediate impact, firing an effort just past the far post as the Railwaymen attempted to rally.

But they were thwarted by Reyes, who kept out  a close-range volley from Elliott Nevitt.

There was anguish for Crewe, who had a penalty appeal for a handball turned away and then Charlie Kirk’s volley came off the underside of the bar and post, but claims the ball crossed the line also fell on deaf ears.

Reyes then kept out a low blast from Kirk and he was in the right place to thwart Shilow Tracey who was sliding in for a low finish.

Morecambe made it two wins from two over the Easter holiday period with a 2-1 victory over fellow promotion chasers Barrow to keep their play-off hopes alive.

Early goals from David Tutonda and Gwion Edwards gave the Shrimps the three points before a late goal from Ben Whitfield set up a thrilling five minutes of injury time.

The Shrimps had the best possible start as they went ahead after only four minutes when Tutonda got the final touch to a Charlie Brown corner that caused the Barrow defence all sorts of problems.

The home side doubled their lead seven minutes later as they took advantage of a lapse in the Barrow defence. The visitors lost possession just outside their own area and Edwards was given a free run on goal which ended with a neat finish after rounding Paul Farman in the Barrow goal.

Barrow enjoyed their fair share of possession and Cole Stockton saw a snap-shot well saved by the outstretched left foot of Archie Mair before the same player was denied by an excellent block from Morecambe midfielder Jake Taylor.

The visitors looked to hit back in the second half but it took until the 89th minute for a reply when Whitfield scored from close range after Mair had saved Sam Foley’s effort.

Mo Faal scored a stoppage-time winner to earn Walsall a narrow 2-1 League Two victory over Salford and breathe new life into the Saddlers’ play-off push.

On-loan West Brom striker Faal cut in from the left to fire the ball beneath Salford goalkeeper Alex Cairns in the third minute of second-half stoppage-time and end the hosts’ four-game winless run.

Walsall initially led in the ninth minute as Jamille Matt rose highest – six yards out – to bullet home a header from Isaac Hutchinson’s corner.

Matty Lund wasted a golden chance to draw Salford level, blazing Connor McLennan’s brilliant ball across the six-yard box over with the goal gaping.

Walsall goalkeeper Jackson Smith made a low dive to foil Conor McAleny’s 20-yard effort, while his Salford counterpart Cairns did equally well to hold Josh Gordon’s powerful shot on the turn.

After the break, Hutchinson lashed a low shot into the side netting for Walsall but Salford levelled after 61 minutes when Lund headed home Ryan Watson’s deep cross.

However, substitute Faal’s fine finish gave the hosts victory to keep them within three points of the play-off places.

Odin Bailey’s late goal helped Stockport extend their lead at League Two’s summit with a 1-0 win against AFC Wimbledon.

The play-off chasing Dons could have gone ahead but James Tilley missed from the penalty spot at Edgeley Park and substitute Bailey netted as full-time neared to put league leaders County four points clear.

James Ball scored early for the visitors but referee Lewis Smith had already stopped play for a foul.

County’s first chance fell to Paddy Madden just before the half-hour, firing at Alex Bass from a corner.

The visitors won a penalty when Fraser Horsfall fouled Omar Bugiel but Tilley blasted wide 10 minutes before half-time.

After the break, Stockport’s Callum Camps fired wide, before Wimbledon’s Josh Neufville drove forward to fire just off target before 70 minutes.

County substitute Tanto Olaofe nodded Ibou Touray’s dangerous cross over with 15 minutes left.

But substitute Bailey received Touray’s pass to turn and curl home an 85th-minute effort which proved to be the winner.

Harrogate left fellow League Two play-off hopefuls Gillingham shell-shocked as a devastating second-half comeback secured a 5-1 home win.

Matty Daly (two), Anthony O’Connor, Jack Muldoon and Abraham Odoh emphatically turned the tables after George Lapslie had given the visitors the lead, meaning the Gills also lost after scoring an opening goal for the first time since January 2022.

Earlier, away keeper Glenn Morris made a brilliant first-half reflex save to keep out Rod McDonald’s powerful header before Lapslie netted in the 41st minute.

The ex-Mansfield midfielder was initially denied by an excellent save from James Belshaw but when the ball rebounded off the underside of the crossbar, he was quickest to react with a diving header from six yards out.

Harrogate levelled on the hour when George Thomson’s cross from the left was headed in at the far post by O’Connor.

Eight minutes later, Conor Masterson’s dreadful ball out of defence was intercepted by Thomson. The hosts’ 14-goal top scorer fed Daly, who curled into Morris’ bottom-left corner from 15 yards.

Daly was back on the scoresheet moments later, prodding in after Morris had saved from Josh March.

Substitute Muldoon made it 4-1 in the 93rd minute as he broke on to a loose ball and thumped a dipping strike over Morris from 15 yards.

Two minutes later, fellow replacement Odoh completed the rout from a similar distance, firing inside the far post after cutting inside from the left flank.

Shaun Pearson admits Grimsby are deflated after Bradford hit back to deny them a priceless win in their League Two relegation battle – but also have no complaints about the penalty which cost them.

Bradford captain Richie Smallwood converted from 12 yards two minutes into added time, snatching three points away from 10-man Grimsby.

Denver Hume was sent off for conceding that last-gasp penalty after his Grimsby team-mate, Curtis Thompson, looked as though he was going to be the difference with a second-half opener.

Assistant manager Pearson said: “You never think you are home and dry until the end, but it was gutting to concede at the death, especially after that performance.

“I thought we were absolutely outstanding.

“I’d be lying to say it wasn’t a blow or a real killer, but we have got to try and take the positives from it. We were pleased with the performance level.”

He added: “No [complaints for the penalty]. I don’t think so.

“I’ve not watched the incident back again but, from speaking to the lads, you know when they’re aggrieved and feel hard done by.

“They feel hard done by in terms of the performance, but there were not too many complaints about the penalty.”

Bradford manager Graham Alexander was happy as his men came from behind.

“I’m happy with the players,” he said.

“They have come back after four defeats and won four points out of two games.

“We’ve shown character in from coming from behind, which we haven’t managed to do in a lot of games. That’s a positive step forward in my eyes.

“It was a bitty game, broken up by a lot of free-kicks and fouls. I think it suited them, because we could never get a tempo to our game and to our press.

“They had one shot on target – which was the goal – but after that we brought on our substitutes and had a bit more energy and expansion.

“I’m not saying we should have won it, but we could have.”

Chances were few and far between in the opening 45 minutes as Daniel Oyegoke dragged wide for Bradford and team-mate Tyler Smith forced Grimsby goalkeeper Jake Eastwood – on as an early substitute – into a save.

At the other end, Doug Tharme rose highest from a set-piece, but could not keep his attempt down.

Bobby Pointon curled over for Bradford upon the restart, but it was Grimsby who broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Thompson set his sights from 25 yards and the ball flew past Sam Walker courtesy of a deflection.

That was not to be the telling moment, though, as Hume conceded a penalty in added-time – and was subsequently dismissed – while Smallwood stepped up to smash down the middle.

Relegation-threatened Grimsby were denied a priceless win in dramatic circumstances as they drew 1-1 with Bradford.

Richie Smallwood netted a stoppage-time penalty for Bradford after Curtis Thompson had opened the scoring at Blundell Park.

Grimsby defender Denver Hume was sent off for giving away the penalty two minutes into added time, which proved decisive in the eventual outcome.

Chances were few and far between in the opening 45 minutes as Daniel Oyegoke dragged wide for Bradford and team-mate Tyler Smith forced Grimsby goalkeeper Jake Eastwood – on as an early substitute – into a save.

At the other end, Doug Tharme rose highest from a set-piece, but could not keep his attempt down.

Bobby Pointon curled over for Bradford upon the restart, but it was Grimsby who broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Thompson set his sights from 25 yards and the ball flew past Sam Walker courtesy of a deflection.

That was not to be the telling moment, though, as Hume conceded a penalty in added-time – and was subsequently dismissed – while Bradford captain Smallwood stepped up to smash down the middle.

Mansfield’s League Two game against Accrington was postponed on Monday due to a waterlogged pitch.

The decision was announced by both clubs at 1.30pm, just 90 minutes before the scheduled kick-off time.

A statement on Mansfield’s website read: “Mansfield Town expresses its disappointment in announcing that today’s Sky Bet League Two encounter at home to Accrington Stanley has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

“The match referee deemed the pitch unplayable following a routine inspection of the playing surface after arriving at One Call Stadium this afternoon.”

Barrow boss Pete Wild hailed an “outstanding achievement” from his side to prove their doubters wrong and mount a late-season promotion push in League Two.

An early brace from in-form Cole Stockton and a late clincher from Robbie Gotts secured a 3-1 win over Grimsby that means Barrow have now amassed 14 points from a possible 18 in March.

That has lifted the Cumbrians up to fifth in the table, six points behind third-placed Wrexham with a game in hand, and is the perfect response to those who had dismissed Barrow’s chances barely a month ago.

Wild said: “There were a lot of people who wrote us off at the end of February.

“A lot of people said ridiculous things; things I remember if everyone else doesn’t.

“But we have hit back with 14 points out of 18 points. It is an outstanding achievement.

“We always knew if we were in and around it coming into March, we had a real opportunity with five out of six home games. We have delivered on that.

“I am so proud of everyone. It shows every team goes through these bumps but it is how you respond.

“However, I was frustrated with the players at half-time we hadn’t killed the game off.

“They played as though the game was over. Getting the third goal really helped us.”

Stockton has now scored seven goals since moving to Holker Street on loan from Burton in January.

“We brought Cole here because of his coolness and calmness in front of goal,” said Wild.

“A lot of credit must go to Robbie and Whits (Ben Whitfield) for the first goal and to Dom (Telford) for the second.

“The lads know if they work hard and Cole is in the right position he will take his chances.”

In contrast to Barrow, who visit Stockton’s former side Morecambe on Easter Monday, Grimsby sit only three points above the drop zone.

They were already 3-0 down when Justin Obikwu netted an 88th-minute consolation.

“We didn’t help ourselves and gave them two goals,” said manager Dave Artell.

“If you give a team in the play-offs two goals, who have had four clean sheets here in the last five games, it is going to be a long afternoon.

“Did we deserve something out of the game? Probably.

“We weren’t helped by the referee (Oliver Langford). He is a full-time referee but he was a disgrace,” added Artell, who was shown a yellow card in the second half for protesting a decision.

“I am not saying any more of that. I will get myself into trouble. Take the referee out of it though, we have got to make sure we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot in the first instance.

“We started off well, we hit the post, we have had chances. Justin scored a good goal but their third goal killed us.

“Games are won in both boxes and we weren’t good enough in both boxes.”

Mike Williamson heaped praise on his MK Dons side after they roared back into form with a rousing 5-0 demolition of Walsall.

The Dons lost by the same scoreline on their last outing, at leaders Stockport, but responded emphatically against play-off chasing Walsall to stay in the race for automatic promotion from League Two.

With Wrexham and Mansfield still three points clear of the Dons, Williamson called for focus as his side look to reel in the top three.

“I could go through and praise the whole team but we’ve got to sort our away form out,” the Dons boss said.

“As good as that was, let’s enjoy it and we will enjoy it now, but then let’s re-focus because that’s as quick as football happens.”

Substitute Max Dean scored twice in the second half either side of goals from Alex Gilbey and Joe Tomlinson, adding to Emre Tezgel’s first-half strike for the Dons’ biggest win of the season.

“I think that’s the highs and lows of football that we all love it for,” said Williamson.

“We spoke to them before the game and we felt there was still a bit of pain from the weekend, which is perfectly natural but it’s our job to try and support and take that away and refocus.

“I thought we struggled to focus a bit this week, but then they respond like that. So I think we had a bit of apprehension.

“We’re normally very good at home but we know how good Walsall are. There just couldn’t be any complacency.

“First half was one I felt as though we controlled things, we could’ve scored more but Michael Kelly made a few good saves and there was a little tiredness out there.”

Meanwhile, Walsall head coach Mat Sadler was left bemoaning missed chances when the game was still in the balance, as his side’s play-off hopes were dented.

The Saddlers are still in a strong position, however, trailing seventh-placed Gillingham by just four points with two games in hand.

“I thought we had a couple of really good chances in the first half to go 1-0 up,” said Sadler.

“You know that these are a very good team and they’ve got the best home record for a reason. So you want to take your chances when they come and unfortunately we didn’t.

“Then the next 30 minutes become a bit of a blur, we were disappointed with where the game got away from us.

“For us, we have to dust ourselves down quickly. We didn’t get the outcome we wanted today but we’re still in a position to attack the final seven games.

“We need to get back to who we are and attack the final 30 days.”

Johnnie Jackson was left fuming at Ronan Curtis’ sending off after AFC Wimbledon’s goal-scorer was given his marching orders moments after equalising in a 1-1 draw with Harrogate at Plough Lane.

Matty Daly had given Harrogate the lead after eight minutes, with Curtis levelling for the Dons just before the hour.

He was then shown a red card for a reckless challenge, with Wimbledon having to settle for a point, leaving them one point outside the play-off places.

Jackson was adamant that decision was both wrong, and cost his side dear.

He said: “The red card was ridiculous. He’s not got his studs up, he’s trying to toe poke the ball, he’s from the side and the referee’s on the wrong side.

“The linesman has got a great view of it and he’s not been involved in the decision process.

“It baffles how he’s given that – you’ve got to be absolutely certain that’s violent conduct, or serious foul play or whatever they call it, and it’s not.

“It probably robs us of the chance of going on and getting all three (points) and for a referee to have made a call like that and at this stage of the season where there’s so much riding on it, is a tough one to swallow.

“It’s not a disappointing point as in what the lads produced in the second half and the way we went for it when we had 10. It’s a mad year this year and that might be a valuable point but of course we wanted all three.”

The Sulphurites hit the front early as George Thomson teed up Daly after nice work down the left by Jeremy Sivi.

Having looked toothless in the first half, Wimbledon turned things around in the second, Curtis and James Ball both going close.

Curtis equalised after Harrogate failed to deal with a Jake Reeves free-kick before he was dismissed for a late tackle on Levi Sutton, which Harrogate manager Simon Weaver admitted was a tough call.

He said: “I didn’t think it was, my instinctive reaction was that he’s caught him but not enough for a red.

“Twenty years ago that probably isn’t even a foul or maybe a foul, but not a yellow card.

“First half I thought we were excellent, it was a great away performance.

“We dug in when we had to, we looked organised and sharp on the ball. But second half, I don’t know if it was just my perspective, but it seemed to blow a bit more of a gale and we didn’t settle on the ball as well, especially when we’re into that position where we’re favourites when they went down to 10 men.

On Harrogate’s play-off ambitions, he added: “You’ve got to be a dreamer to be in this game. It’s about trying to keep the dream alive for as long as possible and we’re in a position that most people probably didn’t expect us to be.”

Crawley boss Scott Lindsey called on his play-off-chasing side to “show their teeth” after describing their 2-0 home defeat by Doncaster as “a big missed opportunity”.

The Red Devils slipped from seventh to ninth after goals from Hakeeb Adelakun and substitute Max Biamou gave 10-man Rovers their fourth successive win.

Rovers battled for the last 24 minutes with a man less after defender Tom Anderson received a straight red card for bringing down the on-rushing Danilo Orsi.

Lindsey felt the game, before a bumper crowd of 5,336, was an ideal opportunity to claim a seventh win in nine matches but was far from happy with the manner of the performance.

He said: “It was a big opportunity, but we showed not enough conviction and were fluffy and not aggressive enough at the top of the pitch.

“We were too nice and didn’t take our opportunity to nail our position.

“No disrespect to Doncaster, but I feel given the season we’ve had, if we are serious about being in the play-offs, we have to win.

“The first goal was a very poor one to give away and now we’ve just to show our teeth. I told the players afterwards that they have been lucky in the way other results have fallen.”

Delighted Rovers boss Grant McCann described Adelakun’s opening goal as one of the best they have scored this season.

He said: “The goal is right up there in a list of goals we have scored this season – it’s a bit of magic.”

Winger Adelakun, on loan from Lincoln, scored his sixth goal for Rovers from an acute angle.

McCann added: “To be honest we were waiting for a free-kick because (Will) Wright had hold of him, trying to pull him back, but then Ade just let it go.”

McCann felt his team should have won more convincingly, saying: “I think we played well against a very good Crawley side.

“We’re delighted with this run we’re putting together and we’ve got another big test on Tuesday at home to Wrexham.”

McCann was relieved when Biamou settled the issue in added time after goalkeeper Corey Addai had an attempted clearance charged down.

“I began to feel sorry for Max and George (Broadbent) as I don’t know how we missed open goals like that,” said McCann.

“What I’m pleased about is that we only really allowed them one opening when (Klaidi) Lolos got right through and left us very short at the back.”

Crewe boss Lee Bell says his side’s 0-0 draw with Gillingham can only be considered a point gained if they go one better against Forest Green on Easter Monday.

After one win in their last six games, the Railwaymen have slipped out of the automatic promotion picture, trailing the top three by seven points with six games to go.

Nevertheless, Bell was pleased with his side’s resolve in an entertaining draw at play-off chasing Gillingham and hopes to use the result as the foundation for a strong end to the season.

“We were well worthy of a point, it was probably about right,” he said. “I thought we were just going to nick one. We were starting to open them up.

“I thought they would take a few more risks when they were on the ball. All in all it’s a pleasing point on a windy day on a tough pitch to play on.”

Elliott Nevitt missed a good chance to put the visitors ahead and Bell knows that another blank against basement boys Forest Green on Monday would be a far more damaging result.

“We would have liked three points,” he said. “If you look at the league it’s so tight. We’ve got to try and turn this point into a really good point by the end of next week.

“When you’re playing teams in and around you they’re going to be nip-and-tuck games.

“They are tough away games, Gillingham are a good team. A lot of managers would have taken a point here at the start of the season.

“I thought we showed a lot of professionalism to silence a big crowd and I’m really pleased with the side’s application.”

The Gills had the better of the play and nearly took an early lead when Timothee Dieng’s header was superbly tipped around a post by Tom Booth.

Manager Stephen Clemence was happy to settle for a point but knows an anxious end to the season lies ahead, with Gillingham’s play-off hopes out of their hands.

“You want to be in the mix with five games to go and we are,” he said. “I know teams have games in hand and it is out of our hands in that respect. I don’t think any teams will win all of their games.

“We’re in seventh spot with five games to go so we’ll see what happens.

“If you can try and get four points from the Easter break then you would take that.

“Results could have gone differently for us. If we took our chances we’d probably be in the play-off places quite comfortably.

“What I do know about this group of players is they will go right until the very end.”