Bristol City have moved four points clear at the top of League One after registering their sixth win in seven games against Port Vale.
After the Robins received a stiff examination early on, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas gave City the lead. Joe Bryan then added a second and Matt Smith netted his 12th in as many games as Steve Cotterill's men move clear of Swindon Town, who were beaten at playoff-chasing Oldham Athletic.
The Latics stunned Town with two goals in 60 seconds from Michael Jones and Conor Wilkinson before Massimo Luongo pulled a goal back for the Wiltshire outfit.
However, Oldham were able to hold on to move into fifth place ahead of Chesterfield, who lost 1-0 at home to Preston North End, thanks to a brace from Joe Garner.
The Lilywhites move to within three points of third-placed MK Dons, who were beaten by Bradford City on Monday.
Sheffield United moved into the top six on goal difference from Chesterfield following an emphatic victory at home to Colchester United, with Jose Baxter scoring twice for the Blades at Bramall Lane.
Doncaster Rovers were also in imperious form as they hit five against Crawley Town, with Andy Butler, Richie Wellens, Nathan Tyson, Harry Forrester and Curtis Main all getting on the scoresheet as the Vikings move into the top half of the table.
Rovers are just behind Walsall, who had to withstand a second-half fightback from Rochdale at Bescot Stadium. Goals from Peter Vincenti and Ashley Eastman proved in vain as Keith Hill's slumped to a 3-2 defeat.
Fleetwood Town are within a point of the playoff places after coming from behind to beat Barnsley at Oakwell, thanks to strikes from Conor McLaughlin and Liam McAlinden.
Justin Edinburgh marked his first game in charge of Gillingham as John Marquis scored 11 minutes from time to give the Kent outfit victory at Peterborough United.
Gary McSheffrey scored against his old club Coventry City and looked to have given Scunthorpe United victory until Marcus Tudgay's late equaliser at the Ricoh Arena.
Crewe Alexandra moved further away from relegation trouble as a solitary Nicky Ajose goal saw the Railwaymen past fellow strugglers Yeovil Town, while Leyton Orient remain rooted to the bottom of the table after Balint Bajner's strike gave Notts County victory at Brisbane Road.
Results in full: Barnsley 1–2 Fleetwood Town, Bristol City 3–1 Port Vale, Chesterfield 0–2 Preston North End, Coventry City 1–1 Scunthorpe United, Crawley Town 0–5 Doncaster Rovers, Crewe Alexandra 1–0 Yeovil Town, Leyton Orient 0–1 Notts County, Oldham Athletic 2–1 Swindon Town, Peterborough United 1–2 Gillingham, Sheffield United 4–1 Colchester United, Walsall 3–2 Rochdale
Chris O'Keefe
