Jamie Murphy's late equaliser helped 10-man Sheffield United fight back from 2-0 down to earn a point against struggling Coventry City in League One this afternoon.

The Blades started on the wrong foot as Jose Baxter was given a straight red card inside the opening 20 minutes for a challenge on Adam Barton, before Dominic Samuel netted either side of half time to give the Sky Blues control.

However, Coventry, who have won just four of their last 24 games, threw away their advantage as Michael Doyle and Murphy scored twice in as many minutes to earn United a share of the spoils at Bramall Lane.

Elsewhere, MK Dons cruised to comfortable victory over mid-table Peterborough United, with a Ben Reeves brace guiding Karl Robinson's men to a win which lifts them above Swindon Town. The Wiltshire club were beaten by Gavin Tomlin's late winner for Crawley Town at the County Ground and drop down to third.

The Dons are also within two points of leaders Bristol City after the Robins slumped to a shock 3-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Colchester United.

Preston North End are also well within touch of the automatic promotion places after goals from Daniel Johnson and Paul Gallagher gave the Lilywhites a hard-fought victory over Scunthorpe United.

The result means that Preston are only six points off the top two positions and have two games in hand.

In a congested playoff picture, Bradford City moved into the top six despite Jordy Hiwula Mayifuila's late strike earning Walsall a point at Valley Parade.

Doncaster Rovers remain just outside behind them on goal difference, but goals from Mark Marshall, Frederic Veseli and Byron Moore saw Port Vale beat the Vikings today and move into the top half of the table.

Fleetwood Town are now just a point outside the playoff positions after strikes from Liam McAlinden and David Ball saw the Cod Army fight back to beat Notts County.

Gillingham were on course to be level with Fleetwood, but Justin Edinburgh's side were denied victory when Adam Morgan equalised from the penalty spot to rescue a point for Yeovil Town, who remain three points adrift at the foot of the table.

That is because Leyton Orient rediscovered their winning touch as they comfortably beat playoff candidates Oldham Athletic, with former Liverpool full back Andrea Dossena setting the O's on their way at Brisbane Road.

Rochdale picked up their first clean sheet in 14 games as they saw off fellow promotion rivals Chesterfield at Spotland. Ian Henderson's solitary strike was enough for Keith Hill's men to move into 13th place, albeit only four points away from the top six.

Crewe Alexandra's recent resurgence was curtailed after Paul Rachubka's own goal on his debut for Railwaymen sealed a 2-0 win for Barnsley at Oakwell.

Results in full: Barnsley 2-0 Crewe Alexandra, Bradford City 1-1 Walsall, Colchester United 3–2 Bristol City, Fleetwood Town 2-1 Notts County, Leyton Orient 3–0 Oldham Athletic, MK Dons 3–0 Peterborough United, Port Vale 3–0 Doncaster Rovers, Preston North End 2–0 Scunthorpe United, Rochdale 1–0 Chesterfield, Sheffield United 2–2 Coventry City, Swindon Town 1–2 Crawley Town, Yeovil Town 2–2 Gillingham