Another fascinating weekend in Sky Bet League Two saw Chesterfield miss the chance to open up a four point lead over Scunthorpe United and Rochdale at the summit, whilst Torquay United and Northampton Town look increasingly likely to drop out of the Football League.

Keith Hill's Rochdale beat fellow promotion rivals Oxford 3-0

Paul Cook’s Chesterfield had the benefit of seeing what had gone before over the weekend, and knew a win over Portsmouth on Monday night in front of the Sky Sports cameras would open up a four point gap at the top. However, despite both Jake Jarvis and Wes Fogden going close for Pompey, and Marc Richards’s seeing his header well saved in stoppage time for the hosts, both teams had to settle for a point.

Scunthorpe United missed the opportunity to go top of the division on Saturday when a Chris Zebroski strike in injury-time salvaged a 2-2 draw for play-off chasing Newport County. The Iron fell behind early on through a terrific diving header from Lee Minshull, only to respond through goals from Paddy Madden and David Syers. Yet, they were to be denied the top spot when Zebroski latched onto a loose ball in the box to claim a point for the home side, leaving them seven points off the play-offs but with three games in hand. Scunthorpe’s impressive 18 game unbeaten run remains, but they will be disappointed to see a chance to go top go begging.

A Scott Hogan hat-trick saw third place Rochdale tighten their grip on an automatic promotion place with a comfortable 3-0 win over Oxford United. It was an even spectacle up until injury-time in the first half, when Hogan slotted home from Paul Vincenti’s header. He went on to add two more to his tally, the second a special individual goal, to move Dale within striking distance of Chesterfield following a 12th home win of the season. The defeat for Oxford saw them drop a place to fifth following Burton’s much needed 2-1 home win over struggling Accrington Stanley. The hosts had picked up just two points in their last four matches, but a brace from Billy Kee cancelled out Dean Winnard’s header to move Gary Rowett’s side within four points of the top three.

Fleetwood Town remained sixth but are now seven points behind Rochdale in third following a 0-0 draw with AFC Wimbledon. The hosts had scored just six goals in their previous seven League matches, and their attacking frailties continued against Neil Ardley’s side, with Nathan Pond missing a guilt-edge chance from a corner late on for the home side. Southend occupy the final play-off spot despite seeing their winless run extend to eight League matches after they were held to a 1-1 by 21st place Wycombe Wanderers. They took the lead through Barry Corr, but an unfortunate own goal from ‘keeper Daniel Bentley twenty minutes from time helped the visitors to a much needed point, leaving them five points clear of danger.

That team occupying the first relegation spot is Northampton Town, and the Cobblers will have to remain there a bit longer after they were unable to overcome fellow strugglers Bristol Rovers at Sixfields. The home side went into the game following morale-boosting back-to-back wins, but could not find the goal that would bring them within a point of safety. The visitors remain one of a whole host of teams on 39 points, six clear of the Cobblers in 23rd.

If things were tough for Northampton, they are even tougher for Torquay United, who now find themselves seven points from safety following a comprehensive 3-0 defeat against Hartlepool United, who are now just five points off the play-offs in ninth. Goals from Jack Barmby, Luke James and veteran striker Marlon Harewood condemned the Gulls to a fourth defeat in five games, and an uphill task to avoid dropping out of the Football League.

Hartlepool are now just three points behind Plymouth Argyle after the Pilgrims thrashed Morecambe 5-0 at Home Park to pick up a third consecutive League win. A brace from Lewis Alessandra, as well as goals from Durrell Berry, Curtis Nelson and Andres Gurrieri saw John Sheridan’s side move within two points of Southend, over whom they have a game in hand. The visitors dropped to 16th following the heavy defeat, seven points clear of danger.

20th place Mansfield Town picked up a vital point in their quest to stay in the Football League following a 0-0 draw against mid table Dagenham and Redbridge. Exeter City remain very much in a relegation battle following a 2-1 defeat away at Nigel Worthington’s York City. Early goals from John McCombe and Michael Coulson proved enough to overcome the Grecians, who are one of those teams on 39 points, although they have played a game more than most of their rivals. Another of those teams is Bury, who took the lead away at Cheltenham Town, before Ashley Vincent and a late Byron Harrison strike secured only a fourth home win of the season for Mark Yates's side.

It looks set to be an exciting final twelve games at the top and bottom of League Two.