Monday 6 April 2015 17:32, UK
Preston closed the gap on League One leaders Bristol City to five points as Bradford paid for the early dismissal of defender Christopher Routis with a 3-0 defeat at Valley Parade.
It took until early in the second half for North End to convert their numerical advantage to the scoreline - Paul Gallagher slamming home the rebound from his own penalty before Daniel Johnson and Chris Humphrey goals wrapped up the points.
Chesterfield cemented sixth with a narrow 1-0 home win over Crewe as Tendaya Darikwa's solitary strike secured a fourth consecutive victory for Dave Allen's side and sent the visitors into the relegation zone.
Fleetwood boosted their play-off hopes as a first-half brace from David Ball sent them up to seventh via a 4-0 win over Yeovil, who are now 11 points adrift at the foot of the table. Jamie Proctor and Ashley Hunter were also on target for Town.
Falling behind the Cod Army were Barnsley, whose 3-1 loss to Colchester at Colchester Community Stadium meant Lee Johnson's men have now gone five League One games without a victory.
George Waring netted five minutes before the break and the Tykes looked to be heading for a pressure-relieving victory - but Gavin Massey levelled on the hour and Jacob Murphy and George Moncur completed the turnaround to propel United to within two points of safety.
Struggling Leyton Orient battled back for a 3-3 draw with Gillingham in a thriller at Brisbane Road as Josh Wright netted with five minutes to go to keep Fabio Liverani's side above the relegation places on goal difference.
Overtaking the Os was Crawley, who climbed out of the relegation places by beating Oldham 2-0 at home courtesy of first-half efforts from Izale McLeod and Richard Wood.
Notts County are now without a win for over a month as they fell to 22nd with a goalless draw with fellow strugglers Coventry while Peterborough were also unable to break down Walsall, who moved up to 15th with a point at London Road.
There was late drama at Rochdale, as a last-gasp goal from Calvin Andrew condemned Port Vale to a sixth consecutive League One defeat.
