EXETER City remain Swindon Town's nearest challengers in League Two in second place after Ryan Bowman's first-half strike earned them a third straight victory following a 1-0 success at Salford City.

Will Boyle's equaliser saw Cheltenham Town climb into the automatic promotion places on goal difference following a 1-1 draw at home to Cambridge United.

Paul Lewis' 27th-minute strike saw Colin Calderwood's United take a 1-0 lead into the break but Boyle levelled eight minutes after the restart.

Chuma Anene scored early but Crewe Alexandra had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Mansfield Town following Andy Cook's equaliser.

Joseph Mills' own goal on the stroke of half-time was enough to see Northampton Town edge to a 1-0 win over Forest Green Rovers.

Plymouth Argyle moved to within two points of the play-off places with a comfortable 3-0 win over struggling Morecambe.

Ritchie Sutton was sent off for bringing down Dom Telford three minutes before the break and Argyle made the extra man count to take a 2-0 lead into the interval.

George Cooper curled home a free-kick before Antoni Sarcevic scored from the spot after Alex Kenyon was penalised for a foul on Joel Grant.

Grant then struck in the final minute to wrap up victory against the division's bottom side.

Colchester United came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Scunthorpe United.

Abo Eisa and Kevin Van Veen scored either side of half-time to put the Iron in control but Colchester secured a point through goals from Luke Norris and Luke Prosser.

Jamille Matt's last-minute strike saw Newport County draw 1-1 with Stevenage after Emmanuel Sonupe's opener, while Wes McDonald earned Walsall a 1-1 draw with Macclesfield Town as he cancelled out Miles Welch-Hayes' goal.

Leyton Orient and Bradford City, Carlisle United and Grimsby Town and Crawley Town and Port Vale all played out goalless draws.