Seb Palmer-Houlden netted a stoppage-time winner as Newport continued their strong run of form with a 1-0 triumph at Doncaster.

Clear-cut chances were hard to come by during a game in which both sides lacked quality in their creativity.

But Palmer-Houlden snatched the three points three minutes into added time when he connected with a side-foot volley as he met Lewis Payne’s cross in the middle of the goal.

It had been a lacklustre affair for much of the 93 minutes that preceded the winner.

Will Evans saw a volley deflected wide after controlling the ball with his chest as Newport looked to capitalise on a bright start.

Hosts Doncaster grew into the game and new signing Billy Waters drew a good save from Nick Townsend with a diving header before Joe Ironside and Luke Molyneux were denied by the Newport keeper.

Ironside saw a volley cannon off Townsend and rattle the crossbar with 13 minutes to go and Doncaster substitute Kyle Hurst poked a shot straight at Townsend before Palmer-Houlden’s winner.

A Charlie Brown goal 12 minutes from time gave Morecambe a deserved point against high-flying Mansfield at the Mazuma Stadium.

Brown slid home a Yann Songo’o cross 12 minutes from time to pull the Shrimps level after Baily Cargill had given the visitors the lead just after the hour when he was all alone in the box.

Songo’o came close to a late winner for Ged Brannan’s side when he got on the end of a neat ball into the box but could only volley straight at Christy Pym at full stretch.

Morecambe started brightly and created a string of early chances with Gwion Edwards, Jordan Slew and Joe Adams firing wide of the target from good positions.

Slew did find the target in the 34th minute but saw his goal disallowed for offside and was frustrated moments later when his long-range effort was parried away by Pym.

The Stags looked at their strongest on the break and George Maris was denied the opener when his goal-bound shot was blocked by his own player Lucas Akins.

The Stags finally found the target with Cargill’s neat finish but the Shrimps levelled with Brown’s excellent late goal.

Grimsby will honour 16-year-old youth-team player Cameron Walsh and his father Dave at Saturday’s League Two match with Notts County.

The Mariners have been left “devastated” after the pair died in a car accident on Saturday.

Tributes will be paid ahead of kick-off at the weekend, though the club are yet to announce the full extent of their plans.

Walsh has been described as an “integral” member of the Mariners’ academy.

The League Two club said in a statement on Monday night: “It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that Grimsby Town Football Club announces the untimely passing of one of our cherished youth-team members, Cameron Walsh, aged 16, and his father Dave.

“Cameron Walsh was an integral part of the GTFC academy. His passion for the game, coupled with his undeniable talent, made him a much-loved figure among team-mates, coaches, and the entire Grimsby Town family.

“The club is devastated by this heartbreaking loss and extends its deepest condolences to the family during this incredibly difficult time.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they navigate through the pain and grief that comes with such a tragedy.”

On Sunday, Lincolnshire Police said two people, including a 16-year-old boy, had died after a car crashed and became submerged in water.

Police, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue and East Midlands Ambulance Service crews were all sent to the scene, where the two people were pronounced dead.

Troy Deeney expressed his anger as he was denied a first Forest Green win in a dramatic 2-2 draw at Salford, whose new manager Karl Robinson saw red in his first game in charge.

New Ammies boss Robinson was sent off 14 minutes into his Moor Lane bow to set the tone for an action-packed afternoon.

The hosts had handed their new head coach – who was appointed on Friday – a dream start through Matt Smith’s early opener.

But after his dismissal, Charlie McCann levelled before the interval and Mathew Stevens volleyed Rovers ahead with 20 minutes to go.

However, Salford were offered a late lifeline with a stoppage-time penalty, resulting in Ryan Inniss and Adrian Mariappa both being shown red, which Ryan Watson converted to end the hosts’ four-match losing streak and prolong Rovers’ winless run.

“I’m raging, angry, disappointed and all the above,” said Deeney, whose side were denied a first win since October.

“It’s the same story but a different day. 2-1 up, comfortable and it’s just poor from us.

“By no stretch of the imagination am I standing here defeated. It’s just the same mistakes keep happening and it just shows a lack of quality.

“We changed the manager because apparently it’s the manager’s fault, but it’s the players’ (fault). It’s not good enough.

“We need to be calm and collected in those moments and understand that we’re in control here. Fundamentally, we have to get better in winning positions.

“Whenever we make a change, we get weaker. They’re not focused sitting on the bench. It’s not clicking and it’s insanity if we keep doing the same thing.

“The only thing I can do now to change that is change the people.

“It’s disappointing. You either get one or the other where you work really hard and have no quality or you get loads of quality and don’t work hard.

“The positives are that we’re scoring goals, it’s just that the negatives are that we’re conceding goals and can’t see a game out.”

Despite their late reprieve, Salford’s winless run stretched to 11 league games.

Assistant Simon Wiles criticised the sending off of Robinson, who was deemed to have delayed the restart of play when Rovers had a throw-in.

“Everybody in the stadium was surprised (with the decision),” said Wiles, who stood in for post-match media duties.

“We couldn’t believe what had happened and it was very harsh.

“We were so bemused. He didn’t throw the ball away, there wasn’t any malice and he just picked it up and popped it to one side.

“From then, we just had to do everything that we could to make sure that we got something from the game.

“You’ve just got to look at the performance. The new gaffer’s been going on about being relentless and on the front foot and today epitomised that.

“From our side, we tried to replicate what he would want to see from us and the lads thoroughly deserved to come away from here with a point.

“We wanted to go for all three as well and that comes from the gaffer.

“Everything clicked early on, and the start of the game went exactly how we wanted it and the way the game ended, we’re glad we came away with something.

“We deserved more than a point from our energy, work rate and the relentlessness that we showed, but it’s definitely something to build on.”

Danny Cowley was delighted with his Colchester players’ commitment during their 2-2 draw at Swindon in his first game in charge.

Conor Wilkinson scored an equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Colchester fought back from 2-0 down to snatch a point.

Cowley said: “First off, the boys really committed against the ball and played with energy and intensity, but we just conceded a really soft penalty.

“You either go under or you stand up and you’re counted, and credit to the players because I thought they showed a huge amount of determination, a real resilience and a lot of fight.

“And we get the goal just before half-time and I think that gives us energy and momentum, and in the second half I actually felt we played much better with the ball.

“We played the game in their half and that’s how we want to play, want to dominate the ball in the opposing half. I was really pleased that we were able to stay in it.”

Swindon were awarded a penalty after just 17 minutes when Udoka Godwin-Malife was hauled to the ground in the box. Charlie Austin stepped up and blasted his shot down the middle to score.

The hosts had a second goal before the break as Austin’s header went into the path of Tom Brewitt, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net from a yard out.

Matt Jay pulled Colchester right back into the game in first-half stoppage time as from a short corner, he met a near post cross and flicked it into the far corner of the net.

Three minutes after the break, Jay fired a low shot beyond Lewis Ward but Liam Kinsella got back and blocked the shot on the line.

With almost the last kick of the game, Ward fluffed a punch and it allowed Wilkinson to turn home on his debut.

Michael Flynn bemoaned his Swindon side’s problem of dropping points from winning positions.

He said: “They are poor from us. We have conceded from two set-plays when we have left players unmarked when they shouldn’t be.

“It is individual errors and if you make individual errors at this level then you are going to get punished and that is exactly what has happened for us today.

“That is two points dropped from us today and being level-headed and, as fair as I can be, that is 13 points dropped from us now this season.

“If you look at the second goal, it starts from a goal kick with two players running into each other and then the man who scores is free on his own when he shouldn’t be.

“It was littered with errors and 30 seconds before it happens then ball has got to go out of play.”

Pete Wild revealed Barrow’s players addressed the “elephant in the room” before tackling Tranmere and then came up with a huge 1-0 win to boost the Bluebirds’ promotion ambitions.

Dean Campbell’s brilliantly struck goal 10 minutes from time earned the high-flying Cumbrians a first win of 2024, a first home win over Rovers since 1969 and a first victory after three winless outings.

“When the lads came back in we did a half-season review: hopes, fears, expectations,” said manager Wild.

“We asked players who have been promoted to share their experiences of what this time of year is like.

“We had a good hour talking things through. But it is easy writing things on a flip chart, actions need to speak louder than words and that’s what happened.

“However, we did talk about the elephant in the room. But we mustn’t look at something three and a half months away.

“However, as a manager you have to look for progression. So, can we beat the 62 points we got last season which was the fifth best in the club’s history?

“If we can pass that then that’s the first barometer for me of progression. Then you are looking at what next.

“But in terms of points targets, it is making sure we are the best version of ourselves one game at a time.”

Wild called Campbell’s stunning strike a “worldie”.

He added: “January goals come from mistakes, set-pieces or worldies and Deano came up with a worldie.

“But we need goals from all over the place. We cannot go out and buy that 20-goal-a-season marksman.

“I am pleased for Deano. That was one of his best performances.”

Substitute Josh Hawkes almost hushed the celebrations but his stoppage-time, low drive hit an upright and bounced clear.

Rovers boss Nigel Adkins said: “I thought we were going to get something.

“Josh hits the post and the ball is going in. We were right behind it but it hits a bobble to go outside of the post instead of into the goal.

“So, it was very frustrating. But I must say the attitude, the application, the work rate and the commitment was phenomenal.

“Both sets of players deserve a lot of praise for trying to win a game of football on an energy-sapping pitch.

“I lost Harvey Saunders with a hamstring injury after he slipped.

“There were two well organised sides and Barrow have not been beaten at home all season. So, the game was great credit to both sets of players.”

Scott Lindsey praised Crawley’s character after they scored twice in stoppage time to clinch a dramatic 4-2 win at Bradford.

The visitors had been trailing 2-1 before Adam Campbell’s 85th-minute equaliser.

They then went on to complete a stunning comeback with Danilo Orsi and Klaidi Lolos scoring in the 10 added minutes.

Manager Lindsey said: “It was a big victory. We showed unbelievable character and sometimes that wins you games.

“We weren’t at our best and they’re a really good side. We defended brilliantly and resiliently and kept believing we could get something from the game.

“Even when we brought it back to be level again, we still had that endeavour to go and win it. I’m really proud of the players.

“Graham (Alexander) is a great manager and they’re a really tough side to play against. They asked a lot of questions of us but we dug in deep and showed brilliant character.

“I remember speaking to the players in pre-season about having a good dressing room, being able to tidy things up so when anyone is being unprofessional the others pull them into line.

“I said how important that togetherness is and how it can win you games. We’ve built that and I’m so pleased.”

Orsi, who has scored four goals in two games, had headed Crawley in front in the first half.

Liam Ridehalgh equalised and then the home side went in front. Corey Addai appeared to have saved Andy Cook’s penalty but the ball rebounded over the line off his ankle.

But Campbell equalised before Orsi restored Crawley’s lead with his fourth goal in two games and substitute Lolos blasted a fourth.

Bradford manager Alexander was shocked by his team’s second loss in a week.

He said: “The scoreline doesn’t reflect the overall game but we have to take it on the chin.

“We changed our mindset after going 2-1 up and allowed them to come back in.

“We went to protect the lead instead of staying on the front foot. We became flat as a team.

“We became a back five with too much space for the midfield to cover and they played through us and got the equaliser.

“It was a real harsh lesson for us in how good we’ve been at pressing teams and not allowing them easy space. It was too easy for them to play through our team.

“We’ve been so good at being aggressive in our pressing. Sometimes you make mistakes and get away with it but we haven’t done that today.

“There was almost a sigh of relief after we got in front. But that has relaxed our minds and we went about it the wrong way with the way we finished the game.”

Crewe boss Lee Bell was delighted to see his side end Mansfield’s unbeaten home record and strengthen their own promotion claims.

Joe White’s finish just over a minute into the game proved enough for Bell to make a winning return to his former club and prevent them going top of League Two.

And a second win of the week moved Alex to within five points of the automatic promotion places.

“That was a really hard-fought three points,” said Bell, who spent a year of his playing career with the Stags.

“We had to ride our luck at times which has been missing. But we didn’t give away any real clear-cut opportunities.

“Mansfield have not lost at home since April so this was a fantastic three points.

“Our gameplan worked for large parts and the players carried out their instructions without the football to a tee.

“The effort, fire and desire we showed was frightening. That’s what you need to do when you come to Mansfield. For me they are the best team in the league and have a bit of everything.

“We defended our box brilliantly to a man, blocking crosses, not allowing their man to get across us and the keeper coming up with saves when needed.

“We stood up to everything on the physical side, so credit to the players for showing another side to a Crewe team that I don’t think we have seen for a long time.”

Mansfield were punished for trying to play the ball out of their box under pressure after 75 seconds as they lost possession and Newcastle loanee White drilled home a low finish.

Lucas Akins should have quickly levelled but sent a free header wide from eight yard.

After that Crewe defended magnificently and goalkeeper Tom Booth saved superbly from George Maris and Stephen Quinn in the first half and, crucially, tipped over a Baily Cargill free-kick in stoppage time.

Mansfield boss Nigel Clough was upset by the early goal conceded and said: “We are bitterly disappointed to lose for only the second time in 24 games or not get even a point. Sometimes even a point at home is a good result.

“The goal we conceded after 90 seconds or so cost us the game today.

“I don’t know if complacency is the word, or sloppiness crept in.

“The reason we have the best defensive record in the league is that we don’t give goals away like that.

“The ball is in our penalty area, it goes away – it’s cleared, no second thoughts or questions whether it’s 90 seconds in or 90 seconds to go.

“That has been our principle and why we haven’t conceded.

“Maybe one or two are getting carried away with the result last week at Stockport. We certainly weren’t staff-wise. And we knew this would be a harder game in lots of ways.

“They are a good team in the top seven.

“I thought we were OK after the first 20 minutes and controlled the game.

“We put an awful lot of balls in the box and won a lot of corners. We just needed someone to finish one off or a break in the six-yard box which we didn’t get today.

“I think we deserved to level. But when you give any team a 1-0 lead almost from the start of the game it doesn’t half incentivise them and give them something to hang on to.”

Karl Robinson marked his first game as Salford boss with a red card but his new side rescued a late point in a fiery 2-2 draw with fellow League Two strugglers Forest Green.

The new head coach lasted less than 15 minutes in his Moor Lane bow after being punished for delaying the restart of play by referee Charles Breakspear.

Salford led at the time through Matt Smith’s early goal but Rovers turned the game around before Ryan Watson’s stoppage-time penalty earned a point in a match both sides ended with 10 men.

The hosts took a fourth-minute lead through Matt Smith’s 15th league goal of the season.

However, with Robinson sent to the stands, Charlie McCann levelled for the visitors before the break.

Troy Deeney’s side grew in confidence after the interval and they were rewarded when Mathew Stevens notched a third goal in four games.

Rovers defender Ryan Inniss and Salford’s Adrian Mariappa were both shown late red cards after the latter earned the hosts a stoppage-time penalty.

Watson stepped up to convert the spot-kick, ending the Ammies’ four-match losing run and denying Deeney a first victory as Forest Green boss as their winless run stretched to 10 league games.

Crawley scored twice in stoppage time to clinch a dramatic 4-2 Sky Bet League Two win at Bradford.

The visitors had been trailing 2-1 before Adam Campbell’s 85th-minute equaliser.

They went on to complete a remarkable comeback as Danilo Orsi scored his second goal of the game from the penalty spot after Nick Tsaroulla was tripped by Jon Tomkinson.

Then substitute Klaidi Lolos made it a six-goal thriller with a well-struck finish into the top corner.

Orsi, who has scored four goals in two games, had nodded Crawley ahead after 12 minutes from Tsaroulla’s cross.

Corey Addai made a good save in a one-on-one with Tyler Smith to preserve their lead at half-time.

But Bradford’s increasing pressure after the break was rewarded when Liam Ridehalgh chipped his first goal for the club.

The home side then went in front through Andy Cook’s penalty after Dion Conroy brought down Vadaine Oliver.

But Campbell equalised from Harry Ransom’s cross before the double strike in time added on made it three away wins in four for Scott Lindsey’s side.

Conor Wilkinson snatched a stoppage-time equaliser to rescue a point for new Colchester manager Danny Cowley as they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Swindon.

Swindon were awarded a penalty after just 17 minutes when Udoka Godwin-Malife was hauled to the ground in the box and Charlie Austin stepped up and blasted his shot down the middle.

Swindon grabbed their second goal before the break as Austin’s header went into the path of Tom Brewitt, smashed the ball into the roof of the net from one yard out.

Matt Jay pulled Colchester right back into the game in first-half stoppage time as from a short corner, he met a near-post cross and flicked it into the far corner of the net.

Three minutes after the break, Jay fired a low effort beyond Lewis Ward, but Liam Kinsella got back and blocked the shot on the line.

With almost the last kick of the game, Ward fluffed a punch and allowed Wilkinson to turn home on his debut to salvage a draw for the visitors and leave the home fans furious.

Mansfield blew the chance to go top of League Two as a gifted early Joe White goal saw promotion rivals Crewe win 1-0.

The defeat was only the Stags’ second league loss of the campaign and ended their unbeaten home record.

Mansfield made an awful start as they tried to play out from their box under pressure in the second minute but lost the ball and watched White drill home a low finish inside the far post from the right.

Lucas Akins should have levelled after four minutes but sent a free header wide from eight yards from Stephen McLaughlin’s cross.

Crewe then defended their lead stoutly with goalkeeper Tom Booth denying George Maris from close range from Lewis Brunt’s cross in the 34th minute and seconds later blocking Stephen Quinn from similar distance.

The visitors went close to a second two minutes after half-time when Courtney Baker-Richardson set up Aaron Rowe for a low shot that came back off a post, while Baker-Richardson flicked a good chance wide from eight yards after Ryan Cooney had robbed Stephen McLaughlin shortly after the hour mark.

Crewe then survived intense home pressure and in added time, Booth superbly tipped over a Baily Cargill free-kick.

Harrogate boss Simon Weaver hailed the impact of half-time substitute James Daly after his first goal for the club inspired a 3-1 home victory over derby rivals Doncaster.

Daly – a summer signing from Woking – had failed to net in 16 previous appearances for the Sulphurites.

But he was introduced from the bench after first-half marksman Sam Folarin was unable to continue after the break.

And, with Doncaster taking firm control of the game following Tommy Rowe’s equaliser, Daly swung the match back in the hosts’ favour with a 66th-minute strike and then provided the pass that teed up Abraham Odoh for a spectacular solo effort to settle matters.

Daly’s strike was also his first league goal at EFL level since October 2020, ending a 49-game drought and leaving Weaver to declare: “He did fantastically well to score the goal because he muscled his way in at the far post and I’m really pleased for him.

“He’s such a good pro and a good lad, who is very popular in the changing room. He’s had a couple of injuries and been a bit unlucky, but he definitely made a difference today.”

Doncaster have now failed to beat Harrogate in four EFL meetings between the two teams and Weaver added: “We’re delighted to win a derby game because they always mean that bit more. It was a good atmosphere and a tough game that ebbed and flowed.

“We started well and scored but they got a fantastic equaliser and were right in it. Luke Molyneux had a great chance for them on his right foot and, maybe if it was on his left foot, it would have been a different story, but goals change games and we scored a second against the run of play and a third that put the game to bed.”

Doncaster boss Grant McCann was angry with the manner in which his team conceded all three goals and their inability to find the net when dominating the game at 1-1.

“I thought the final scoreline was harsh and probably didn’t reflect the full picture of the game,” he said. “We made a slow start for the first 15 minutes and conceded a goal because we’re simply not learning or taking information on board and still letting people go inside and have a shot at our goal like we have been doing all season.

“We then equalised after a good finish by Tommy Rowe and, from that moment on, we controlled the rest of the first half and then had tremendous chances to score at the start of the second half that we didn’t take.

“We were really dominant but, then, for their second and third goals, the same thing happened as the first and players need to understand the principles of how we work. Teams hurt you when you open up your goal for them and it’s a habit that has hurt us all season.”

Dean Campbell restored promotion-chasing Barrow to winning ways with the only goal in the Cumbrians’ 1-0 Sky Bet League Two victory over in-form Tranmere.

Campbell’s third goal of the campaign came 10 minutes from time as Barrow bounced back from their 4-1 defeat at Wrexham on New Year’s Day.

Elliot Newby laid off the ball for the midfielder to curl the ball left-footed into the top corner from 18 yards out.

His stunning strike enabled Pete Wild’s side to record a league double over a Prenton Park outfit who arrived on a four-game winning streak.

It also provided the Cumbrians with a first home win over Tranmere since August 1969.

Barrow, however, suffered an even later scare before the three points were confirmed.

The Bluebirds had thrown away leads in their last three games and it was almost four when Josh Hawkes struck an upright with a stoppage-time effort.

However, Barrow survived and had a last-minute Kian Spence effort disallowed for offside.

Goals from Sam Folarin, James Daly and Abraham Odoh ensured Harrogate maintained their unbeaten league record in meetings against Yorkshire neighbours Doncaster.

The Wetherby Road outfit are yet to lose in four EFL contests against Rovers, with captain Tommy Rowe’s second goal in as many games the visitors’ only consolation in a 3-1 defeat.

Harrogate forged ahead just past the quarter-hour mark when Folarin picked out Odoh in the penalty box before receiving the ball back and confidently side-footing a low 15-yard shot past Doncaster keeper Louis Jones.

But the Sulphurites had not kept a clean sheet in any of their previous 14 home matches and that run was extended to a 15th when, two minutes later, Rowe collected a short pass from Jack Senior before rifling a 20-yard effort inside James Belshaw’s left-hand upright.

Doncaster then had chances to take the lead with Luke Molyneux and Mo Faal particularly wasteful before Daly restored Harrogate’s lead midway through the second period.

The ex-Bristol Rovers and Stevenage attacker scored his first league goal at EFL level since October 2020 when he swept in from seven yards at the far post after rampaging right-back Kayne Ramsay had crossed in from the byline.

Odoh went on to sensationally settle matters in the 74th minute when he picked up a loose ball just inside the Rovers half before charging at a backpedalling Joseph Olowu and unleashing a 20-yard thunderbolt that Jones could only help into his top-right corner.