20th March 2017

Doncaster Rovers moved one step closer to promotion to League One with an emphatic away win at bottom club Leyton Orient.

The sides went into the break level at one apiece but a second-half double from top scorer John Marquis and Mathieu Baudry’s volley earned the Yorkshire club three points, putting them 17 points clear of fourth.

Orient are seven points from safety and it could have been ten if Cheltenham Town had taken their chances against Cambridge United. 

The Robins, who were without absent manager Gary Johnson after he underwent heart surgery, squandered several chances at Whaddon Road and fell to their third defeat on the trot courtesy of Medy Elito’s fourth goal in three games.

Blackpool moved within a point of the play-offs with 3-1 win at relegation-threatened Newport County.

Bright Osayi-Samuel was at the double for the Seasiders, in a match which saw away boss Gary Bowyer pelted with objects from home supporters.

Paris Cowan-Hall scored and was sent off injury time as Wycombe Wanderers kept their top seven hopes alive with a precious three points at Hartlepool United.

Adebayo Akinfenwa displayed great class to open the scoring for the Chairboys and Cowan-Hall wrapped things up at the death before being dismissed for a second yellow card.

Mansfield Town are another side continuing to flirt with the play-offs as they ran out 2-0 winners over Carlisle United.

The Stags ended their four-game winless streak thanks to goals from Matt Green and Shaquile Coulthirst, while Carlisle have lost five of their last six.

Matt Godden scored his 13th goal in 15 appearances as Stevenage cruised to victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Portsmouth.

The striker added to Jack King’s header before Jobi McAnuff sealed a convincing with for the hosts in a game which Pompey had defender Christian Burgess sent off for two bookable offences.

A Chris Dagnall double gave Crewe Alexandra an important three points over Colchester United.

The striker eased Crewe’s relegation worries with his second and third goal in two games since returning from suspension.

Elsewhere, there were 1-0 wins for Notts County and Plymouth Argyle against Barnet and Morecambe, respectively.

 

Luton Town drew 1-1 with Exeter City, while Grimsby Town and Crawley Town played out the same scoreline.