Charlton Athletic took full advantage of other playing in the FA Cup, or dropping League points to extend their lead at the top of the table. Green scored the only goal of the game to keep Exeter City looking over their shoulders at the drop-zone following defeat at St James's Park. Exeter City 19th, Charlton Athletic 1st.
Huddersfield Town failed to cement 2nd place, being held 1-1 by Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park. Goal machine Rhodes, had given the Terrier the lead in the 49th minute with McGurk levelling 2 minutes later. A missed opportunity for the Terriers given that their Yorkshire rivals were distracted with FA Cup duties. Tranmere Rovers 17th, Huddersfield Town 2nd.
If Carlisle United have any ambitions to make the play-offs, then they have got to beat the likes of Hartlepool United at Victoria Road instead of going down to a 4-0 thumping! Goals from James (6th and 67th minutes), Sweeney (17th min) and Nish (81st min) proved to be more than the Cumbrians could handle. Hartlepool United 10th, Carlisle United 7th.
Brentford were able to take advantage of slips elsewhere as they managed to see Wycombe Wanderers off with a 5-2 win at Griffin Park. An Alexander hat trick (10th, 29th and 81st mins), plus goals from Saunders (22nd min) and Diagouraga (73rd min) only drew a response from Winfield (47th min) and Strevens (76th min), leaving the Chairboys looking up from the foot of the table. Brentford 8th, Wycombe Wanderers 24th.
AFC Bournemouth failed to close the gap on the play-off places following a first defeat on the road in 12 matches as Ridehalgh scored the only goal of the game for Chesterfield in the 55th minute to secure the points for the battling Spirites at the b2Net stadium. Chesterfield 23rd, AFC Bournemouth 9th.
On a weekend where sides at the bottom, by and large won, the local derby win for Rochdale over near neighbours Bury, in their bid to beat the drop, was vital. Goals from Akpa Akpro (15th min) and a brace from Grimes (41st and 55th mins) kept Dale in sight of the dotted line denoting safety. Rochdale 22nd, Bury 11th.
The only consistent thing anyone can say about Colchester United is their inconsistency, which saw ColU win 1-0 away at Leyton Orient as Forbes scored an own goal in the 28th minute to allow the Essex side to dent any play-off ambitions the O's might have had. Leyton Orient 14th, Colchester United 12th.
New boss, Graham Westley has yet to see his new charges win under his tenure as they slipped up 2-1 against battling Yeovil Town at Huish Park. Preston North Ends cause wasn't helped when Morgan was sent off in just the 3rd minute for a professional foul. A WIlliams gave the Glovers a 2-goal lead, netting a brace in the 30th and 62nd minutes. Carlisle pulled one back for the visitors in the 74th minute, but it wasn't enough. PNE did win the yellow card count 4-2. Numbers on the pitch were evened up when Huntingdon saw red in the final minute. Yeovil Town 18th, Preston North End 13th.
Meanwhile, in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup, a number of League One sides were in action. Sheffield Wednesday came to within a whisker of causing an upset against Championship Blackpool at Bloomfield Road. Morrison gave the Owls the lead in the 52nd minute. With an upset looking likely, Phillips popped up with a penalty in the 93rd minute to force a replay.
Sheffield United were taken apart at Bramhall Lane by Birmingham City as the Championship side ran away with a comprehensive 4-0 win over the Blades. Goals from Redmond (18th min), Rooney (38th and 78th mins) and Elliott (58th min) blew the home side away.
Stevenage Borough created club history at Broadhall Lane as a Stewart own goal in the 12th minute was enough to see Notts County off. The win will see Borough in the Fifth Round for the first time in their history.