Sutton boss Matt Gray was left with a sour taste in his mouth after Joel Senior’s dramatic stoppage-time winner for Morecambe in a 3-2 thriller.

The U’s forced their way back into the game after Michael Mellon’s penalty and Adam Mayor’s effort had put Derek Adams’ side two goals to the good at Gander Green Lane.

Harry Smith’s header and Ben Goodliffe’s goal levelled proceedings.

But Senior stole the spoils with his first goal for the club.

“Football is really cruel at times, we didn’t deserve that at all,” said a dejected Gray.

“We were very dominant, it was a really good display full of pressure and energy.

“The first goal was a penalty, I think it looks very soft, but I haven’t seen it back. At the time, I can’t see any pulling in the box there.

“If he’s going to give one for that, then he could have given us a few down the other end that’s for sure, if you’re going to be consistent with that.

“It was a good response to the goal then we concede on the counter-attack and that’s not good enough from us.

“We hit straight back with the goal on the stroke of half-time and I thought we were outstanding second half.

“It was all us, we get the equaliser and then we get done at the death there.

“The reality is we’ve conceded three goals and it’s hard to take because there’s no common theme.”

It was an impressive third straight away league victory for the Shrimps, something they have not achieved since May 2021.

Adams said: “To finish the game the way we did after they got it back to 2-2 was fabulous.

“It was difficult for us at times because it was stop-start. I didn’t think it was helped by the officiating.

“I got booked at the end when their manager collects the ball and throws it back into play, which isn’t allowed. I’ve tried to stop that and have been rightfully booked, but you’ve got to understand the laws of the game. The referee can’t have it both ways.

“Their manager did it three or four times and I had to tell the fourth official. It isn’t allowed and it wasn’t dealt well with, that’s where we as managers and staff get frustrated.

“As a performance, it was one of our best of the season because we had to show character. We had to make two changes at half-time with injuries.

“The support we had was magnificent. It took us seven hours, so the effort from the supporters was nothing short of outstanding.

“Their dedication is reflected by the players on the pitch. Their character was there for everyone to see today.”

Phil Parkinson felt his Wrexham side were denied a “stonewall” penalty as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Bradford.

Adam Wilson scored a late equaliser for the Bantams to deny Parkinson a winning return to the club he led to promotion and the League Cup final during a five-year reign.

Paul Mullin had headed Wrexham in front earlier in the second half, and Parkinson was disappointed that the striker was not awarded a first-half penalty by referee Ross Joyce for a challenge by Sam Stubbs.

He said: “How the ref hasn’t given that is incredible. We could all see from here that the lad’s slid in, caught him and pulled him down.

“It’s an absolute stonewall penalty. It’s 100 per cent a penalty and you’re crying out for better protection in open play for Mulls.

“I thought he got pushed into the hoardings in the second half but it is a physical game. That’s how we like it but I think when the ref looks back at it, he’ll see that it was a clear pen.”

Parkinson had been given a standing ovation by home fans when he walked out before kick-off.

“We had five great years here and loved every minute of it. That meant a lot today,” said the Wrexham boss.

“It was a hard-earned point. We knew it was going to be a feisty encounter coming here with a full house.

“It was fast and furious at times and, of course, when you go a goal ahead you want to take the three points. But we had to withstand pressure second half and the way we defended our box was outstanding.”

Bradford have taken 10 points from the four games since Mark Hughes was sacked and Kevin McDonald took caretaker charge.

McDonald said: “I thought it was probably the best we’ve played over the course of 90 minutes.

“We were on the front foot and pressed well. We were just a little bit sloppy in the final third and needed more composure.

“I’m disappointed to get a point but, at the same time, they are a good team. I’m happy with the performance on the whole.

“We took control of the game and then their goal was a bit of a sucker punch. But to bounce back and then dominate for the last part was good to see.”

Wilson, who came through Newcastle’s academy, levelled with his first goal for the club.

McDonald added: “It’s brilliant. Ads was disappointed he didn’t start but it shows the mentality and attitude he’s got.

“Ads was not put on his favourite side, he prefers to play on the right, but he came on and played a huge part.

“I ask the lads to play what they see in the final third. Ads did exactly that and got his just rewards for sure.”

Notts County boss Luke Williams showered Lewis Macari with praise after the Stoke loanee marked his English league debut with a stunning strike to earn his side a 2-1 win at Gillingham.

The 21-year-old grandson of Manchester United legend Lou Macari fired home from 20 yards with 12 minutes to play after Scott Malone had cancelled out Macaulay Langstaff’s opener.

Macari has previously enjoyed loan spells at Market Drayton and Dundalk but this was his first taste of EFL action, and Magpies boss Williams was delighted with his display.

He said: “He’s done himself proud. He performed brilliantly. I have to make sure I reward people for their hard work in training. He’s really enthusiastic so I wanted to be brave and give him a chance.

“This was a display of his personality. He did the job he was asked to do efficiently, but then he expressed himself as an individual.

“He had a big decision to make when the ball was out in front of him and he took it on. He showed us a new side to his game.”

County made a strong start to their 5,000th league game and Langstaff met Tobi Adebayo-Rowling’s low cross to deservedly put the visitors in front in the 38th minute.

Malone’s solo effort restored parity for the managerless Gills but Macari’s strike ensured County celebrated a perfect response to last weekend’s 4-1 derby defeat by Mansfield.

“Maybe we haven’t fully appreciated each other enough as a group at times recently,” Williams added.

“But I saw players celebrating when team-mates stepped up and moved the defensive line today.

“I saw players celebrating somebody else heading the ball out of the box today. We need to get back to really appreciating each other for what is good, elite work.”

The out-of-form Gills have now lost three of their last six games but interim boss Keith Millen remained pleased with the performance.

“It was a game decided by small margins,” he said. “I thought the players worked their socks off against a very good team. I told them in the dressing room that I’m really proud.

“It’s raw because I think we deserved a draw, but our effort and commitmentwere excellent. You can see the disappointment in the dressing room.

“When it got back to 1-1, I thought there was only one team who would go on to win it.

“Even in the first half, when they were having a lot of the ball, we had opportunities on the break but we weren’t clinical enough.

“Their first goal came from a three on two for us but we didn’t capitalise on it. We had so many good opportunities but we didn’t punish them.”

Simon Weaver praised the “really positive” reaction of his Harrogate side to falling behind as they hit back to win 2-1 at struggling Colchester.

The visitors fell behind in the 62nd minute when Chay Cooper curled a delightful strike into the top corner from the edge of the area after being picked out by Cameron McGeehan.

But Harrogate equalised less than three minutes later through Matt Daly, who finished clinically from close range from Sam Folarin’s pass.

And Folarin scored the winner in the 80th minute when he picked out the top corner with a fine effort from the edge of the area after Levi Sutton’s blocked attempt had fallen into his path.

Weaver said: “I’m really proud, especially with the reaction to going a goal down.

“We’ve been here (Colchester) the previous three years and lost games when we’ve played average, we’ve played well, we’ve played poorly and come away with nothing.

“We knew at half-time we could regroup and go again.

“The first half wasn’t a scintillating half, but it was a professional away performance where we conceded very few chances and we just needed to up it, on the ball.

“We’ve got a determination this year to be the best in the league to reacting to a disappointment.

“When we gave them the opportunity to go a goal up which they took advantage of, we saw a really positive reaction from the lads.

“They showed a real togetherness and turned it round and turned the game on its head.

“Sam (Folarin) made a telling contribution and Matty Daly’s finish spurred us on.”

Colchester have now lost their last four games in League Two, with this defeat leaving them languishing second from bottom of the table.

Boss Ben Garner said: “We’ve got this horrible habit of shooting ourselves in the foot at the moment, even when we’re much the better side and in complete control of the game.

“We shouldn’t have been vulnerable after we scored.

“They hadn’t done anything up until then and hadn’t had a shot on target.

“Harrogate sit, they frustrate, they try and slow the tempo of the game and it was all about getting the first goal.

“It was always going to be that type of game.

“We had complete control of the game and went 1-0 up when it was hard to break them down and we get that brilliant goal. They hadn’t had a shot on target, up until that point in the game.

“But for the five to 10 minutes after that, we’re intent on making it a basketball game.

“They had two shots on target and they both go in.”

Barrow and AFC Wimbledon shared the points in a largely forgettable goalless stalemate at SO Legal Stadium.

Neither side could lay any real claim to deserving the points, with precious little entertainment provided in a dour encounter.

Chances were few and far between in a cagey first half that barely flickered into life.

Elliot Newby’s early opening for Barrow, from Emile Acquah’s neat ball, was snuffed out by a good block from Isaac Ogundere.

At the other end, Paul Farman was tested by a Jake Reeves free-kick but the Bluebirds keeper made the ground across goal to push it to safety.

James Chester had the first half’s last real opening but got underneath his header from Newby’s cross and sent the ball inches clear of the bar.

The second half continued in the same vein as the first had ended, with Barrow narrowly on top but unable to find a breakthrough.

Dean Campbell went close with a free-kick but it posed little trouble for Alex Bass in the Dons goal.

Visiting forward Ali Al Hamadi finally had a chance to break the deadlock with 20 minutes left but, after outpacing Niall Canavan on the right flank, fired straight at Farman.

Wimbledon survived a desperate goalmouth scramble after Acquah’s first-time shot was deflected wide, with Bass pouncing on the ball in a crowd.

Barrow substitute Dom Telford was off-target with two late headers and the Dons replacement Aron Sasu forced a late save from Farman, who also denied Reeves in a last-ditch breakaway, and the game ended goalless.

Liam Humbles came off the bench to earn Salford a point deep into stoppage time in a 2-2 draw with Swindon.

Both right-backs were on target in the first 11 minutes with Remeao Hutton’s strike cancelling out an opener from the Ammies’ Ethan Ingram.

Charlie Austin’s late penalty looked to have won it for the Robins, but Humbles smashed home the equaliser in the 96th minute.

Salford took the lead when Luke Bolton played Ingram through before he fired into the bottom corner.

It could have been 2-0 soon after, and this time Bolton latched on to Matt Smith’s flick-on but poked the ball just wide.

Instead, it was 1-1 thanks a clever corner from Tyrese Shade, who pulled  it back to the edge of the box for Hutton to score.

Bolton and Stevie Mallan then went  close for Salford, although Elliot Watt’s goal-saving last-man tackle on Austin kept the scores level.

Swindon were then awarded a penalty and Curtis Tilt was sent off for bringing down Rushian Hepburn-Murphy.

Austin’s 50th goal for Swindon from the spot was well-deserved, but Salford hit back and Humbles levelled the scores.

Substitute Lewis Macari’s spectacular winner earned Notts County a 2-1 victory against managerless Gillingham in their 5,000th league game.

Macaulay Langstaff met Tobi Adebayo-Rowling’s low cross to deservedly put the visitors in front in the 38th minute.

A last-ditch tackle from Dom Jefferies prevented Langstaff from doubling the Magpies’ lead from close range shortly after the break.

The Gills, under the guidance of interim manager Keith Millen, drew level thanks to a fine solo goal from left-back Scott Malone in the  52nd minute.

The former Millwall man created a chance out of nothing inside the penalty area and fired low past Sam Slocombe.

County continued to dominate possession and almost retook the lead when Jodi Jones forced Jake Turner into a smart reaction save, before Malone’s block of Adebayo-Rowling’s dangerous cross almost deflected into his own net.

The visitors’ victory was secured when Stoke loanee Macari marked his English league debut by firing into the top corner from 20 yards.

County’s third away win of the season keeps them second in League Two, while Gillingham drop to ninth following a third defeat in six.

Adam Wilson’s late equaliser extended Kevin McDonald’s unbeaten run as Bradford caretaker manager to four games as they snatched a 1-1 draw with Wrexham.

The substitute scored via the underside of the crossbar after 85 minutes to cancel out Paul Mullin’s header.

Former Bradford manager Phil Parkinson returned to the club for only the second time since leaving in May 2016, and his Wrexham side had a good shout for a penalty rejected when Steven Fletcher went down under a challenge from Sam Stubbs.

Mullin then had the best chance of the first half, putting a diving header wide from Ryan Barnett’s cross.

Andy Cook and Emmanuel Osadebe shot straight at visiting goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo as Bradford finally rallied before Fletcher, making his first Wrexham start, fired wastefully wide.

Bradford looked the more threatening team in the second half and Okonkwo tipped away a low shot from Walker.

However, Wrexham went ahead after 68 minutes from their first effort on target as Mullin made no mistake with his header from another Barnett cross.

That threatened to be enough for Parkinson’s side but Wilson hit back to ensure a share of the points from a captivating contest.

Joel Senior’s stoppage-time strike inflicted heartache on the Football League’s basement boys Sutton as Morecambe edged a five-goal thriller.

Shrimps goalkeeper Stuart Moore produced two good early saves to keep out a Ben Goodliffe header and Farrend Rawson effort.

The visitors opened the scoring on the half-hour as Michael Mellon fired a penalty – awarded after Goodliffe’s foul on Jacob Bedeau – into the roof of the net.

And Adam Mayor doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time as his low strike made it two.

The U’s instantly replied as Harry Smith’s header beat a sprawling Moore, who failed to reappear for the second half after sustaining an injury as he changed direction.

Sutton got a deserved equaliser just after the hour when Goodliffe hooked the ball home from a long throw.

But hopes of a comeback point were scuppered when Senior lashed home a low effort from outside the box after being allowed to run at the home defence.

A brace from Louie Barry helped Stockport to an eighth straight win – 3-2 against Grimsby.

The hosts were awarded a penalty inside six minutes after Will Collar was pulled down in the box, with Barry converting to open the scoring.

Two minutes later, Tanto Olaofe slotted past Jake Eastwood to double Stockport’s lead.

The Hatters almost made it three after 39 minutes but a second spot-kick was struck wide by Olaofe.

Grimsby halved the deficit shortly before half-time as Donovan Wilson scrambled for the ball and scored from close range.

The visitors equalised through a Gavan Holohan penalty after goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe had brought him down.

But Stockport restored their lead in the 74th minute when a free-kick met the head of Collar and he nodded across goal for Barry to score.

The Mariners fought for another equaliser deep into stoppage time but it was not to be.

Victory for the hosts sees them stay at the top of Sky Bet League Two.

Crawley twice let the lead slip to crash to their third successive league defeat as Crewe marked Lee Bell’s 50th game in charge with a 4-2 victory at the Broadfield Stadium.

Crewe, victors in only two of their previous 21 away league matches, were spirited throughout as Crawley suffered back-to-back home league defeats for the first time under boss Scott Lindsey.

Crewe came close to taking the lead in only the third minute when, following a free-kick from former Crawley midfielder Jack Powell, Rio Adebisi’s close-range effort was parried by goalkeeper Corey Addai.

Striker Klaidi Lolos, making his first home league start of the season, put the hosts ahead after 15 minutes from the edge of the area after being set up by Danilo Orsi.

But the lead only lasted five minutes, with Shilow Tracey racing on to a through-ball from Joe White to level with a low shot into the corner.

Ronan Darcy restored Crawley’s advantage in the 28th minute, his drive from the edge of the area hitting both posts before going in following an assist by Lolos.

Crewe made 2-2 11 minutes after the interval when stand-in Crawley skipper Dion Conroy put through his own goal after a cross by Adebisi.

Nick Tsaroulla shot over from a good position before Reds substitute Kellan Gordon curled an effort wide from the edge of the area.

But Courtney Baker-Richardson converted a low cross by Michael Williams from point-blank range to put Crewe 3-2 ahead after 75 minutes.

And substitute Elliot Nevitt sealed victory in the third minute of stoppage time by rounding keeper Addai and planting the ball into an empty net.

Mike Williamson lost his first match as MK Dons head coach as Accrington claimed a 1-0 win to move into the League Two play-off spots.

Shaun Whalley struck in the 31st minute to make it three successive league wins for the Reds while it is now nine games without a win for the Dons, who appointed Williamson four days ago after sacking Graham Alexander.

Mohamed Eisa could have given the new Williamson era a dream start after 40 seconds but his effort went narrowly over the bar.

Chances were at a premium with a Joe Pritchard strike pushed away by visiting goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray after 14 minutes.

Stanley took the lead just after the half-hour mark when Pritchard found the unmarked Whalley in the area and he made space for himself before firing the ball into the roof of the net.

Dons top scorer Eisa had another two chances before the break but was unable to find the target.

Whalley came close to a second for the home side after 50 minutes but MacGillivray denied him from close range.

MK Dons pressed for the equaliser with Max Dean coming close but they were unable to avoid defeat and drop to 18th place.

Substitute Sam Folarin scored one and made another as Harrogate came from behind to win 2-1 at struggling Colchester.

The hosts started well and Noah Chilvers’ first-time shot flashed just wide early on.

Colchester went close again when Chay Cooper’s effort was parried away by Mark Oxley for a corner, seconds after the youngster had been denied by the Harrogate goalkeeper’s diving save.

Oxley pushed Bradley Ihionvien’s header over the bar early in the second half before Colchester took a 62nd-minute lead when Cooper curled a delightful strike into the top corner from the edge of the area after being picked out by Cameron McGeehan.

But Harrogate needed less than three minutes to equalise, with Matt Daly finishing clinically from close range following Folarin’s pass.

McGeehan’s curled effort clipped the top of the bar for Colchester, but Harrogate scored the winner in the 80th minute when Folarin curled a brilliant shot into the top corner from the edge of the area after Levi Sutton’s blocked attempt had fallen into his path.

Walsall manager Mat Sadler praised hat-trick hero Freddie Draper after the teenager equalised for a third time in the sixth minute of stoppage time to earn a 3-3 draw at Newport.

County midfielder Bryn Morris thought he had won it for the hosts with goals in the fourth and 67th minutes, while in between Exiles striker Will Evans claimed his 12th strike of the season, but Draper had the final say with his third leveller of the night.

Sadler was delighted for the 19-year-old Lincoln loanee and is hoping he can keep hold of him beyond January.

“He’s got bags of ability and it’s a special night for him – his first career hat-trick. I’m really pleased for him,” said Sadler.

“Whisper it, because he’s doing some fantastic things! We’ve got a great relationship with Lincoln, and we hope to see Freddie for as long as we can in a Walsall shirt.”

Morris opened the scoring with a superb strike into the top corner after slick one-touch build-up play involving Evans and Omar Bogle.

Draper levelled for the first time in the 16th minute when he converted a Tom Knowles cross, but Evans curled into the corner to give the hosts a 2-1 lead in first-half stoppage time.

Draper grabbed his second eight minutes into the second half with a cool finish after Joe Riley’s through-ball dissected the home defence.

Morris slammed the ball into the roof of the net from close range at the other end after Evans’ tempting cross.

But County could not hold on and Draper stabbed in Donervon Daniels’ centre to level for a third time at the death.

“Fair play to the lads; they showed extreme character, extreme heart, resilience, desire, and that bit of quality to give the supporters something to go home with, which they deserved,” said Sadler.

“It does feel a little bit like a win, of course it does. We’re a bit frustrated because we feel the game could have been there for us to win, but we have to be pleased with a point in the end.”

Newport boss Graham Coughlan saw his celebrations of one year in charge at Rodney Parade ruined by the late drama.

“I am really annoyed, frustrated and disappointed,” said the Irishman. “Score three goals at home and you fully expect to win the game.

“To concede three goals in the manner that we did, as a former centre-half I am fuming. You can’t concede goals like the way we conceded.

“You trust people, give them jerseys and chances in the team and they go out and give you those type of errors. That is not good enough at this level.”

Doncaster assistant manager Cliff Byrne was delighted with his team’s performance despite Grant McCann being sent from the dugout just before half-time in their 2-1 win over Tranmere at Prenton Park.

Goals from Harrison Biggins and Mo Faal were the difference as Doncaster continued their recent revival making it five wins from their last seven League Two games.

Rovers took the lead in the 27th minute when Biggins latched onto Zain Westbrooke’s cross from the right to steer the ball home from close range.

The visitors then doubled their lead 10 minutes after the break when Mo Faal pounced on a Tranmere defensive error to flick the ball home from the edge of the area.

Connor Jennings halved the deficit with 20 minutes remaining to set up a grandstand finish but it was the away side who went home with the points while Tranmere suffered their first home defeat since September 2nd.

Byrne said: “It’s a new one to us but the ball came towards the manager and he’s deviated where it was going and apparently it’s an instant red card.

“I had a word with the referee and he told me that the rule is the rule and it’s a sending off.

“We’re very pleased with that victory. Any away win in this league is pleasing but especially here which is a difficult place to come.

“Tranmere have been decent at home this season and you can see the response that Nigel (Adkins) got from his players.

“The boys were magnificent and we’re delighted to be going home with the three points.

“I know results will suggest that we’ve turned the corner but the positive from our point of view are the performances.

“I’m really pleased for the fans that have travelled tonight and they’ve seen those performances and it’s reward for them for sticking with the team from the start of the season.”

Tranmere boss Nigel Adkins said: “It’s not nice to suffer your first defeat as manager and it hurts.

“After we made those substitutions in the second half I felt like we would go on and get something from the game.

“They shouldn’t be scoring that second goal, it’s come from a long goal kick down the middle and the centre half knows he’s got to deal with it and he hasn’t and it’s a cheap goal.

“From a personal point of view I don’t think we equipped ourselves as well as we should have done but that’s for me to go and review.

“The atmosphere tonight was really good and our fans did everything they could to lift the players but it wasn’t to be and the first person you look at is yourself.

“We’ve got to stop making those stupid little mistakes we’re making and that’s why we’re losing games.”