League leaders Southend left it late against Blackpool, while Brentford could only draw.
League leaders Southend left it late against Blackpool, Brentford could only draw, while Huddersfield, Colchester, Swansea and Oldham all lost.
Southend were trailing on their travels to Blackpool when on-loan front man Gareth Williams got on the scoresheet in the 32nd minute, leaving Freddy Eastwood (60) and Luke Guttridge (86) to snare the spoils.
Second placed Brentford could only claim a 1-1 draw with Bradford City, as Lloyd Owusu's leveller two minutes before the break cancelled out Michael Symes 36th minute opener for Colin Todd's side.
Huddersfield were also below par as they fell to a 2-0 away defeat at Gillingham as Gary Mulligan in the fourth minute and then Matthew Jarvis just before time gave The Gills three points.
Swansea too were defeated on their travels as Port Vale claimed a 3-2 scalp. Sam Togwell (43) gave Vale the lead, Ade Akinfenwa drew Swansea level two minutes after the break but goals from Michael Cummins and Leon Constantine put Martin Foyle's outfit back in control. Rory Fallon's goal two minutes from time was nothing more than a consolation.
Bottom of the table Milton Keynes Dons came from behind to beat in-form Oldham 2-1 at Boundary Park. Luke Beckett's penalty in the 28th minute put Oldham in control but the highly rated Izale McLeod grabbed a double in the 40th and 41st minutes to give his side's slim chance of survival a boost.
Bournemouth came from behind to a Peter Beagrie penalty to draw with Scunthorpe 2-2. James Hayter (33) and James O'Connor (63) had turned around the game for Bournemouth but Richard Hinds grabbed his side a point six minutes from time.
Of the chasing pack Nottingham Forest were the big winners as they beat Colchester 1-0 courtesy of James Purch's late winner.
Barnsley replace Oldham in the final play-off place after a 1-1 draw with Chesterfield at Oakwell. Brian Howard gave The Tykes a first half lead but Derek Niven won a point for Chesterfield with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Doncaster suffered a blow to their promotion hopes as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Yeovil, whose goals came from Terry Skiverton, Phil Jevons and Arron Davies.
Bristol City were big winners away from home as they put Walsall to the sword 3-0 at The Bescot Stadium. David Cotterill put his side in front just before the break, leaving Alex Russell from the penalty spot and Richard Keogh in the final minute to cap an impressive afternoon.
Rotherham's bid to beat the drop were helped by a 2-0 defeat of Tranmere, as Martin Butler (73) and Paul Shaw (78) grabbed a goal apiece. Michael Jackson and Michael Keane saw red late on for violent conduct.
At the wrong end of the table Swindon and Hartlepool drew 1-1, with Lee Peacock grabbing a point for the former after he cancelled out Richie Humphreys' opener.
Barnsley 1-1 Chesterfield
Brentford 1-1 Bradford City
Gillingham 2-0 Huddersfield Town
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Colchester United
Oldham Athletic 1-2 Milton Keynes Dons
Port Vale 3-2 Swansea City
Rotherham United 2-0 Tranmere Rovers
Scunthorpe United 2-2 Bournemouth
Southend United 2-1 Blackpool
Swindon Town 1-1 Hartlepool United
Walsall 0-3 Bristol City
Yeovil Town 3-0 Doncaster Rovers
