Top scorer Nathan Ellington grabbed the all-important goal on 47 minutes to send Paul Jewell's men 12 points clear at the top of the table.
Crewe moved back into second spot with a superb 4-0 win at Luton.
A quick-fire brace from Dean Ashton (7,21) put Crewe in firm control and Dave Vaughan made sure of the result with the third five minutes after the break.
Rodney Jack added a fourth on 78 minutes to complete a superb win for Dario Gradi's troops.
Oldham maintained the pressure on the top three with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over struggling Northampton.
Wayne Andrews grabbed both goals for The Latics on 67 and 89 minutes to give Iain Dowie's men all three points.
Bristol City kept pace with the leading pack with a win over basement boys Huddersfield Town.
Matt Hill fired City in front on 17 minutes, but Martin Smith levelled for the hosts three minutes later from the penalty spot.
Lee Peacock restored the visitors lead on 36 minutes to keep them in fifth spot in the table
Cheltenham climbed out of the bottom three with a superb 2-1 win at Port Vale.
Grant McCann fired the visitors in front two minutes before the break, but Stephen McPhee levelled for the home side on 74 minutes.
Julian Alsop restored Cheltenham's lead nine minutes from time to give them all three points.
Peterborough grabbed a precious point in their fight against relegation after a goalless draw with Tranmere at London Road.
The home side were forced to hang on for the draw after Jason Lee was sent off late on for Posh.
Stockport fought back from two goals down to earn a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Blackpool to boost their survival hopes.
John Murphy fired Blackpool in front on 32 minutes and Simon Grayson doubled the lead three minutes before the break.
Richard Lambert gave Stockport a lifeline pulling a goal back on the stroke of half time and top scorer Luke Beckett netted the equaliser on 77 minutes with his 28th goal of the season.
Chesterfield climbed away from trouble with a comfortable 4-0 win over Wycombe at Saltergate.
Loan signing from Middlesbrough Brian Close gave the home side the lead on 28 minutes and David Reeves added a second after 53 minutes.
Chris Brandon made sure of the victory with the third after 67 minutes and Mark Hudson added a fourth three minutes from time.
Plymouth grabbed all three points with a convincing 3-0 win over Brentford at Home Park.
Marino Keith opened the scoring for Argyle on 12 minutes and Grant Smith doubled the lead after 28 minutes.
Keith wrapped up the win with his second and his side's third two minutes after the restart.
Swindon moved into the top half of the table with a 5-0 thumping of Notts County at the County Ground.
Sam Parkin netted a superb hat-trick for the home side on 43, 61 and 89 minutes to inspire the home side while Andy Gurney (59) and David Duke (69) netted the other goals for the rampant Robins.
Barnsley and Colchester shared the spoils after a 1-1 draw at Oakwell.
Kevin Betsy gave Barnsley the lead after 36 minutes, but Scott McGleish's leveller two minutes later earned the visitors a point.
Click on fixture for full match summary
Barnsley v Colchester United
Chesterfield v Wycombe Wanderers
Huddersfield Town v Bristol City
Luton Town v Crewe Alexandra
Northampton Town v Oldham Athletic
Peterborough United v Tranmere Rovers
Plymouth Argyle v Brentford
Port Vale v Cheltenham Town
Queens Park Rangers v Wigan Athletic
Stockport County v Blackpool
Swindon Town v Notts County
Click here for updated league table
