Pilgrims move clear at top

THIRD DIVISION leaders Plymouth Argyle extended their advantage at the top of the table as they came from behind to beat Scunthorpe United 2-1.

Martin Carruthers put the visitors ahead on 13 minutes, but The Pilgrims were level just before the interval when Paul Wotton fired home from the penalty spot.

Nine minutes into the second period and the comeback was complete as Marino Keith sealed the victory to send Plymouth four points clear at the head of affairs.

Mansfield Town kept up their promotion challenge with a 1-0 success at Exeter City which came courtesy of Liam Lawrence's ninth minute effort.

Rochdale edged up a place with a scoreless draw at Bootham Crescent that moved York City one point off the foot of the table.

Hull City's promotion aspirations were dented as they crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Southend United.

Mark Rawle opened the scoring at Roots Hall on 36 minutes, and Chris Hutchings clinched the points for The Shrimpers with a 71st minute spot kick.

Kidderminster Harriers kept up the pressure on the play-off chasers with a 2-0 home triumph over bottom club Halifax Town.

Ian Foster proved the difference between the teams as he netted on 15 minutes and then slotted home a penalty with a minute remaining.

Bristol Rovers' hot shot Nathan Ellington continued his rich vein of goalscoring form with a hat-trick in the 4-1 demolition of Swansea City.

Ellington struck on 42 minutes from the penalty spot and then on 53 and 86, while Sergio Ommel notched on the stroke of half-time for The Pirates.

Swans striker Steve Watkin grabbed a consolation just past the hour mark.

Macclesfield Town assuaged their relegation fears with an excellent 2-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town which was secured via Andy Tretton's 38th minute own goal.

Kyle Lightbourne had opened the scoring on 25 minutes for the hosts, while Luke Rodgers scored for the visitors four minutes before the interval.

Lincoln City also moved away from the bottom with a 2-0 win over Leyton Orient as goals in each half from Ben Sedgemore and Lee Thorpe garnered the points.

Carlisle United dealt Rushden & Diamonds' play-off hopes a crushing blow as they coasted to a 3-0 success at Brunton Park.

Goals from Stuart Green, Richie Foran and Stephen Halliday lifted Carlisle six points clear of Halifax.

In the evening's remaining fixture the two Uniteds, Oxford and Torquay, shared a 1-1 draw with Paul Moody's 81st penalty being swiftly cancelled out by Stephen Woods' equaliser.

Click below for match summaries:
Division Three:
Bristol Rovers 4-1 Swansea
Carlisle 3-0 Rushden & Diamonds
Exeter 0-1 Mansfield
Kidderminster 2-0 Halifax
Lincoln 2-0 Leyton Orient
Macclesfield 2-1 Shrewsbury
Oxford 1-1 Torquay
Plymouth 2-1 Scunthorpe
Southend 2-0 Hull
York 0-0 Rochdale

Click here for the Division Three table.