Chester City 1 - 1 Darlington
Gregg Blundell came back to haunt his old club with a late penalty to keep Darlington's play-off hopes alive.
Blundell finished calmly from the spot to deny Chester who had led with a Simon Yeo goal early in the second half.
Chester can feel hard done by after dominating proceedings for much of the game and wasting several good chances to extend their lead.
After an uneventful first 45 minutes, the game sprang to life when Yeo opened the scoring six minutes into the second half.
The Chester striker finished expertly, springing the offside trap and rounding Sam Russell before firing a left-footed shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
Ten minutes later Russell pulled off an amazing reflex save from Chris Holroyd's close-range overhead kick to keep Darlington in the hunt.
It should have been 2-0 shortly afterwards when an unmarked Kevin Sandwith skied his header way over the bar from 12 yards out.
Darlington substitute Neil Wainwright was denied by a good block from John Danby with 12 minutes to go. The visitors struggled to get anything going in attack and, despite pouring men forward, their best chance of a goal looked to be from set-pieces.
They were caught on the counter-attack with five minutes left when Paul Rutherford squared the ball for Jamie Hand who failed to make contact six yards out with the goal beckoning.
Darlington were handed a lifeline a minute from time when Blundell, who left Chester in January, was fouled by Laurence Wilson on the edge of the box.
Referee Mr Singh pointed to the spot despite the protestations of the Chester players and Blundell picked himself up to calmly convert from the spot.
Accrington Stanley 3 - 2 Peterborough United
Andy Todd's last minute winner gave Accrington Stanley their third home win on the bounce in their fight to avoid relegation back to the Nationwide Conference.
The right-winger grabbed a priceless double, including his 89th minute strike, as Jay Harris had also scored in first-half injury-time.
Todd and Harris had given Stanley the lead twice in the first half, as Craig Mackail-Smith's third goal in two games had levelled the game at one apiece.
Posh full-back Josh Low then levelled the game up for a second time in the 53rd minute when he swivelled and fired home left-footed from close range.
Stanley were always the better side in this pulsating five-goal thriller, but when they missed a whole host of gilt-edged chances it looked as if three points would pass them by.
But when Todd bulldozed his way through two weak challenges down the right to get a sight of goal for his tenth of the season, the sigh of relief around the Fraser Eagle Stadium was massive.
Manager John Coleman still wants four wins from their last five games to be completely sure of safety and he also admitted that he was ready to substitute Todd two or three minutes before the end.
But Posh manager Darren Ferguson, who will be well aware that his side's play-off chances are slipping away, said that the early goal was crucial.
Accrington will now travel to league leaders Hartlepool on Bank Holiday Monday to try and grab their fourth win in five.
Barnet 2 - 1 Hartlepool United
The last team to beat Hartlepool prior to this match was Barnet all the way back on November 4th.
Since then Hartlepool have embarked on a 24-match unbeaten run that came to an end today, courtesy of a fantastic goal from Barnet midfielder Jason Puncheon.
He took the ball past two defenders and unleashed a powerful left-foot drive from 20 yards that left the keeper with no chance, securing all three points for the home side.
That provoked Puncheon to celebrate in front of Pool boss Danny Wilson, clearly having a point to prove given that Wilson released him back in the days when they were at Milton Keynes together.
It prompted Barnet boss Paul Fairclough having to apologise to Wilson over the incident and saying that Puncheon would be doing the same.
Barnet had much the better of the first-half and took the lead in the fourth minute.Liam Hatch found Puncheon on the left and his cross was met by Hatch at the far post into the path of Adam Birchall who poked the goal from a yard out.
Hartlepool thought they should have had a penalty in the 33rd minute when James Brown went down under a challenge from Paul Warhurst, but nothing was given.
But it looked like Hartlepool would maintain their amazing run when Eifion Williams held off three defenders to toe-poke home, helped by a minor deflection.
But on 81 minutes, Puncheon scored the fantastic winner to have the final say for Barnet.
Bury 0 - 1 Rochdale
Glenn Murray was Rochdale's match-winner as ten-man Bury plunged deeper into relegation trouble with a disappointing defeat at Gigg Lane.
The former Carlisle United and Stockport County striker struck in the 74th minute with a poacher's goal to give Keith Hill's side the points
And to add insult to injury, defender Darren Kempson was then sent-off for a second bookable offence inside 30 seconds.
Having fouled Danny Reet, the Bury man then pushed over goalscorer Murray was duly given his marching orders by referee Colin Webster.
Chris Casper's men nearly grabbed an injury-time equaliser through Jason Kennedy, but with five games still left face a tricky test in their battle to avoid the drop.
Rochdale had the better start and nearly took the lead through John Doolan in the tenth minute, but the midfielder's 20-yard shot was easily saved by Andy Warrington.
The home side were unlucky not to get themselves a penalty just three minutes later. Glynn Hurst's attempted flick seemed to hit the right hand of defender Simon Ramsden.
Doolan tried his luck with an ambitious right-foot volley in the 16th minute, but his powerful effort flew over the crossbar.
At the other end leading scorer Andy Bishop nearly added to this season's 20-goal tally. Strike partner Hurst supplied an excellent cross from the left wing, but the former York City hitman directed his header against the crossbar.
Rochdale nearly took the lead two minutes before half-time, but Warrington produced an excellent save to deny Ben Muirhead, who danced past two defenders and unleashed a fierce drive from the right edge of the area.
Bishop went close to scoring seven minutes after the resumption but, if it had not been for a fine save from Rochdale keeper Matthew Gilks, his rasping left-foot drive would have flown into the top corner.
Dale kept battling and Muirhead created another good chance for himself, but Warrington did well again, this time saving low at his feet.
In the 65th minute Bury were denied by a brilliant goal-line clearance from substitute Mark Jackson. David Buchanan's inswinging corner was headed back across goal by Paul Scott, but when skipper Dave Challinor deflected the ball goalwards, Jackson somehow managed to avert the danger.
Bishop, still seeking to find the back of the net, was then denied by Jackson. The big defender this time threw himself in front of the striker's close-range left-foot strike, deflecting the ball away for a corner.
Substitute Marc Pugh tried his luck from distance as the Shakers tried to break the deadlock, but his right-foot shot flew wide of the left-hand post.
And, just as it looked as though Casper's men were getting on top, Rochdale hit them with a sucker-punch.Alan Goodall saw his powerful shot parried by Warrington, but the ball fell perfectly for match-winner Murray to poke home unmarked at the back post.
Bury were then reduced to ten-men when Kempson saw red.
Murray could have made it 2-0 with three minutes remaining, but his sweet right-foot strike rebounded to safety off the right-hand post.
And that miss nearly proved costly as Kennedy went agonisingly close to equalising in the first minute of injury-time, only to see his long-range shot fly wide of the right-hand post.
Hereford United 0 - 0 Swindon Town
Swindon goalkeeper Phil Smith was the Town hero as the Robins picked up a vital away point in their bid for an automatic promotion place from League Two.
But Hereford, wh, as Town boss Paul Sturrock admitted afterwards, should have won the game, will no doubt feel that they should have collected their first victory in eight games.
Although Swindon led on corners at the break - by five to four - it was the Bulls who had much the better of the first period.
Only a series of fine saves by Swindon keeper Smith prevented the home side from building up a substantial lead.
The former Crawley Town man was in the action as early as the third minute, diving to push away to Tamika Mkandawire's header from a Danny Thomas corner. The keeper then dived to catch Alan Connell's first-time volley from a Steve Guinan cross.Barry Corr's header from a Christian Roberts corner hit the outside of a post as Swindon posed a rare attacking threat, but the Robins should have fallen behind on 26 minutes.
A brilliant piece of skill by Andy Williams took the midfielder past three tackles only for him then to chip his shot the wrong side of an upright. With Hereford back on the attack, Smith then did well to push away Guinan's header from a Rob Purdie corner six minutes before the break.
After the interval, on a warm afternoon, the pace understandably slackened and Town came more into the game.
But even though Swindon had a greater share of the play, they were rarely able to get into shooting positions and their best chance, 19 minutes into the half, saw midfielder Michael Pook's crisp shot fly straight in the arms of Hereford keeper Wayne Brown.
The match ended with a flurry of bookings by referee Paul Melin mostly for dissent, with Swindon finishing the match with five yellow cards.
Hereford's only two cautions both went to substitute Tim Sills, who managed to be punished twice for dissent inside 60 seconds to bring a summary end to his five minutes on the pitch.
Lincoln City 0 - 0 Stockport County
Lincoln City's dreadful home run continued as they stumbled to a draw against promotion rivals Stockport County.
City created just one clear cut chance and only poor finishing by Stockport prevented the visitors going home with a victory.
Stockport threatened after just two minutes when Liam Dickinson looked set to get clear, only for Lee Beevers to handle on the edge of his own box.
The free-kick from Anthony Pilkington was charged down but the Hatters kept pushing forward.
In the 14th minute a low cross from Dickinson was fumbled by City keeper Alan Marriott but the follow-up from Tony Dinning was saved.
Lincoln almost sneaked in front in the 18th minute when a header from Jamie Forrester was aimed at the top corner, only for Wayne Hennessey to produce a diving save.
But both teams plans were disrupted 11 minutes later. Lincoln's Nat Brown was fouled by Dickinson and reacted by kicking out at the Stockport man.
Dickinson then appeared to headbutt Brown and when referee Keith Hill finally restored order both men were shown a straight red card.
Stockport then had the better of things but their finishing was poor. Anthony Elding got clear in the 45th minute but shot across the face of the goal.
Then David Poole broke away down the right but with three team-mates unmarked in the middle he chose to go it alone and shot into the sidenetting.
Stockport almost took the lead in the 68th minute when an inswinging corner from Adam Griffin beat Marriott, but Scott Kerr headed off the line.
Three minutes from the end a great ball from Adam Proudlock set up Elding, only for Lincoln sub Paul Mayo to make a vital interception
Macclesfield Town 2 - 0 Wrexham
A goal in either half from strike partners Matty McNeil and John Murphy saw Macclesfield Town take a giant stride towards League Two survival.
Their polished home win however piled the pressure on relegation rivals Wrexham who looked toothless upfront and without invention in midfield.
Macclesfield had the first chance in the first minute when Murphy deliberately deflected a David Morley strike goal-bound, only for the ball to be easily pouched by Anthony Williams.
Wrexham then saw bulldog striker Lee McEvilly plant two headers over, before Michael Proctor turned on the angle of the six-yard box to force a sharp reaction save from Tommy Lee.
Macc were desperately unlucky in the 30th minute when they twice hit the underside of the crossbar in the space of an agonising 30 seconds.
First John Miles was thwarted with his 15-yard volley and then Martin Bullock saw a header crash against the woodwork.
They broke the deadlock four minutes later when Miles delivered a slide-rule pass for McNeil to turn past the keeper and score his fourth goal of the season from close range.
Wrexham went close to levelling the scores minutes after the break when Proctor saw a glancing header cleared of the six-yard line by Jordan Hadfield. But it was Macclesfield who sealed the game on 62 minutes.Carl Regan crossed from the by-line for Murphy to score his eighth goal of the season with a firm downward header at the far post.
Town had the better chances at the death with Adam Murray forcing a fingertip save from Williams with the clock running down.
Mansfield Town 0 - 1 Bristol Rovers
Man of the match midfielder Craig Disley returned to his former club in style to keep Rovers' play-off hopes alive.
Disley controlled the midfield, created the winner and a hatful of other chances as injury-ravaged Mansfield slipped to their third successive home defeat.
Rovers struggled to take advantage of the youthful Mansfield line-up in the opening half hour and shake off the hangover from their extra-time defeat in the Johnstone's Paints Trophy final a week earlier.
In fact, Mansfield created the better half chances. Rovers' keeper Steve Phillips saving bravely at the feet of Stags defender Alex John-Baptiste from a Matt Hamshaw corner, and then saving Hamshaw's drive after his mazy run past three defenders.
Rovers finally imposed themselves on the game before half-time. The unmarked Rickie Lambert headed Stuart Campbell's curling free-kick straight at Stags' keeper Jason White from just six yards.
Campbell was then given too much space and time inside the area, but his shot was hacked clear by Hamshaw.
Mansfield keeper White got away with an horrendous error when he completely missed a Campbell cross, but just seconds later Rovers grabbed a deserved 35th minute lead after yet another let-off from the resulting long throw.
This time the unmarked Disley drove against the bar from four yards when it looked easier to score, but the rebound was acrobatically hooked in by Steve Elliott.
Nine minutes into the second half Rovers should have doubled their advantage but after Disley's astute pass gave Lewis Haldane space on the edge of the area, the midfielder flashed his low drive into the side netting.
The Stags almost equalised three minutes later against the run of play. Simon Brown weaving his way into the area and driving across the face of goal where both Martin Gritton and substitute Barry Conlon just failed to get a touch.
In a far more exciting second half, Rovers again went close to securing victory when Richard Walker curled a shot just past the upright following clever play from Disley.
Walker then lobbed onto the roof of the net from 25 yards with home keeper White stranded, and John-Baptiste scrambled a Campbell shot off the line.
The Stags almost made them pay for wasting those chances with a fight back in the last 10 minutes with substitute Micky Boulding three times going close to snatching a point. Twice his shots were blocked by Elliott and then he curled wide from 12 yards, but Rovers managed to hang on for vital three points.
Milton Keynes Dons 1 - 2 Grimsby Town
James Hunt's second-half winner ended Grimsby's three-match losing run as they grabbed a shock 2-1 victory at the National Hockey Stadium to dent MK Dons' automatic promotion bid.Danny Boshell's brilliant volley and Hunt's strike put the lowly Mariners 2-0 up, before Dons skipper Keith Andrews pulled back a late consolation for the hosts.
Milton Keynes laid siege to the visitors' goal early on with some hi-tempo passing football, but after Izale McLeod had missed three good chances, Boshell hit the hosts with a classic sucker-punch at the other end to give Town a shock 32nd minute lead.Tom Newey's deep cross found Boshell unmarked at the back post and he gave Dons goalkeeper Lee Harper no chance with a ferocious 12-yard volley inside the far post from an acute angle.
Milton Keynes battled back and the off-balance Dominic Blizzard headed Jon-Paul McGovern's cross over the bar from five yards, before Sean O'Hanlon headed set-pieces from McGovern and Dean Lewington just over the bar in the dying seconds of the first half.
The Dons threw on Leon Knight and reverted to an attacking 4-3-3 formation after the break in a bid to get back in the game, but Hunt's volley doubled the Mariners' lead in the 53rd minute.Ciaran Toner's corner was only half-cleared by the Dons' defence and the unmarked Hunt volleyed the ball back through a crowded box and into the net from 15 yards.
Grimsby midfielder Paul Bolland should have made it 3-0 but he was denied one-on-one by Dons keeper Harper, before Andrews pulled a goal back in the 71st minute.
Andrews swivelled ten yards out to fire into the corner after Knight and O'Hanlon had seen their shots blocked.
Town substitute Peter Till belted a 16-yard thunderbolt against the bar, while McLeod blazed over a great 15-yard chance to equalise for the Dons in a frantic finish.
Notts County 2 - 0 Boston United
Notts County's third win in a row - and all of them without conceding a goal - helped to narrow the gap with the play-off places and rekindle hopes that a top seven spot can still be achieved.
Boston on the other hand, were left in the bottom two and staring possible relegation in the face.
It was two second-half incidents which really swung the game in County's favour.
In the 57th minute Notts keeper Kevin Pilkington made the save of the match when he tipped onto the underside of his crossbar a rocket-like free-kick taken by Boston substitute David Galbraith.
That kept Notts one goal ahead and 13 minutes later they doubled their advantage to extinguish Boston's recovery.
For the first goal, Jay Smith delivered an inch-perfect pass to Andy Parkinson who controlled the ball before picking out Jason Lee on the edge of the six-yard area to put the ball wide of Andy Marriott.
Lee was obviously delighted to score against one of his former clubs and also to find the net for the first time since his return from a three-match ban.
Boston's best chance of the first half fell to Nathan Joynes who headed at Pilkington from close-range.
In the 70th minute, Lee then had a hand in the second goal which was a somewhat scrappy affair.Austin McCann delivered a free-kick into the Boston box where Lee's thunderous header was parried by Marriott, but the ball fell kindly to Matt Somner who forced it over the line from close-range for his first ever goal for County.
In the late stages Notts' boss Steve Thompson brought two loan players from Charlton Athletic off the bench. Both James Walker and Myles Weston electrified the closing stages with great bursts of speed and wonderful trickery that had Boston's defenders repeatedly on the back foot.
Torquay United 1 - 2 Walsall
Faster out of the blocks, with burly target man Trevor Benjamin their inspiration, Walsall pulled off a crucial win for their League Two promotion hopes and gave brave Torquay a big nudge nearer to the Conference.
Former Cambridge, Leicester and Coventry striker Benjamin, on loan from Peterborough, headed the Saddlers into a tenth minute, losing his marker and nodding home Kris Taylor's left-wing cross.
Benjamin was a real handful for young Torquay centre-half Chris Robertson, and five minutes later he was at the centre of a hotly disputed penalty decision.
Referee Phil Joslin ruled that Benjamin was pulled back by Lee Mansell in a crowded goalmouth, and Dean Keates made no mistake with the spot-kick for his 10th goal of the season.
Walsall wingers Taylor and Darren Wrack, in for injured duo Kevin Harper and Kevin Cooper, were a constant threat and it would have been all over if Wrack had hit the target, instead of firing a great chance wide from Taylor's cross in the 39th minute.
Walsall were good value for their interval lead, but it was a different story in the second half.
Torquay roared back and, after a sustained spell of pressure, cut the deficit in the 58th minute.
Young Reuben Reid, on loan from Plymouth, scored his second goal in two games with a shot on the turn from Matt Hockley's headed through-ball.
If Torquay had equalised during their best spell of the match, they might have gone on to cause an upset.
And they went close in the 63rd minute when Lee Thorpe pulled his six-yard shot wide across the face of goal when it looked easier to score after Reid had burst past two Walsall defenders.
With Walsall's keeper Clayton Ince and central defenders Chris Westwood and Anthony Gerrard all outstanding, the visitors held on to stretch their current unbeaten run to seven games.
Wycome Wanderers 1 - 1 Shrewsbury Town
Michael Symes' predatory finish gave Shrewsbury a key point in the big play-off clash at Adams Park.
In a game neither side could afford to lose Tommy Mooney gave Wycombe the lead before Symes hit back to deny Wanderers all three points.
Both teams were out of the traps well and started the game with real intent, although they did cancel each other out in the opening stages as neither team could really work an opening.
The first meaningful effort came from Shrewsbury on 23 minutes. A cleared corner fell to Neil Ashton but he could not control his shot and volleyed over.
Wycombe were starting to get a little impatient, and then from nowhere got their opener. Shrews' Stewart Drummond played a suicidal back-pass that Mooney intercepted and he went on to round the keeper and slot home.
The lead only lasted five minutes as the visitors fired back straight away. Ben Davies scuffed his shot but it fell kindly to Symes who finished well from 10 yards.
Wycombe created a glorious chance on the stroke of half-time. Russell Martin's cross picked out Mooney but he missed the target from eight yards.
Wycombe started the second-half well and should have taken the lead within a minute of the re-start. The ball fell kindly to Mooney on the edge of the six-yard box but he somehow blasted over.
Wycombe continued to dominate and Mooney had yet another chance just before the hour mark, but his volley was well saved by keeper Scott Shearer.
Shrewsbury's Derek Asamoah blasted an effort into the side netting on 70 minutes after racing on to a Lee Canoville long ball.
On 80 minutes Shrewsbury thought they had won the game when Dave Edwards headed in from five yards after Asamoah's effort hit the woodwork, but Wycombe were saved by the linesman's flag.
football.co.uk
CC League Two - 6/7th April
