Hull City maintained the pressure at the top with a 2-0 win away against Blackpool. The winning goals were both scored by Elliott (60th and 85th minutes). Blackpool 20th, Hull City 2nd.
Meanwhile the chasing pack lost ground on the leaders. Tranmere Rovers could only draw 1-1 at home to Barnsley. Hume put the home side ahead at Prenton Park, but were pegged back in the final few moments as Kay bagged an equaliser, and a share of the points for the Yorkshire side. Tranmere Rovers 3rd, Barnsley 14th.
Hartlepool United jumped up in to the play-off places following a 2-1 home win over Oldham Athletic at Victoria Park. The game wa effectively won within the opening 23 minutes as Boyd converted 2 penalties in a bad tempered match which saw 8 players booked (3 for Hartlepool, 5 for Oldham). Holden netted Oldham's consolation in the 64th minute. Hartlepool United 4th, Oldham Athletic 17th.
The postponement at Layer Road saw AFC Bournemouth drop a place to 5th, while Colchester United slipped to 18th.
Also slipping were Bradford City, who were held to a draw by Wrexham at Valley Parade. Schumacher put City 1-up in the 54th minute, with Armstrong levelling with a 90th minute penalty to claim a point for the crisis hit Welsh clud. Bradford City 6th, Wrexham 22nd.
Brentford suffered their 3rd home defeat of the campaign, this time to struggling Torquay United, with the damage being done by one of the ex-players, Leo Constantine, who bagged a second half hat trick to secure a valuable third away win, and an equally valuable 3-points. Sodje had put Brentford ahead in the 26th minute. Brentford 7th, Torquay United 19th.
Sheffield Wednesday appear to be getting their act together under Paul Sturrock with Walsall their latest victim. Wednesday took the lead on the half hour through Jones, but Walsall levelled just before the break and could have had home fans feeling nervous for the second period. In the end a Wright own goal (65 mins) and a MacLean penalty (73 mins) secured the points. McShane pulled a second back for Walsall in the 81st minute to sent up a nervy last few minutes, but Wednesday held on for their fourth home win of the campaign. Sheff Weds 8th, Walsall 15th.
Bristol City are tucked in just off the play off places at the moment, and maintained their position with a 2-1 away win away to Stockport County. Butler put City ahead on 5 minutes, Feeney then equalised for the home side in the 19th minute. The winner came 10 minutes after restart through Heffernan. Stockport County 24th, Bristol City 9th.
They may have lost at Dean Court the weekend before, but Swindon Town found winning ways again against Peterborough United at London Road. Igoe (54) and Parkin (85) secured the points. Peterborough United 21st, Swindon Town 11th.
Huddersfield Town secured their home win against Port Vale in the first 8 minutes on Boxing Day. Schofield and Abbott netted in the 4th and 8th minutes respectivey. Eldershaw bagged a consolation 7 min before half time. Huddersfield Town 12th, Port Vale 16th.
Doncaster Rovers entertained Franchise FC at Bellue Vue and condemned them to their 9th away defeat of the season as Rovers gained a comfortable 3-0 home win. Edds got things underway with an 8th minute own goal before 2 second half strikes from Simon Johnson (60 and 62 mins) secured the win for Rovers. Donny Rovers 13th, Franchise FC 23rd.