Luke Ayling's late strike has ensured that Bristol City narrowly beat Crawley Town to stay top of League One.

The Cider Army looked set to be leapfrogged by Swindon Town, but Ayling popped up three minutes from time to rifle home from close range at Ashton Gate.

Swindon stay one point behind Steve Cotterill's men after Andy Williams scored twice in a 3-0 win over Notts County.

The Robins frontman put the visitors ahead inside six minutes after good work from Massimo Luongo, before adding a second just after the interval.

It was left to Luongo to add a third from close range before the hour mark to seal victory, and keep the Wiltshire side in the automatic promotion places.

Preston North End stay in fourth after Scott Wiseman's equaliser cancelled out Carl Baker's opener for MK Dons at Deepdale, although Karl Robinson's side remain one place ahead of the Lilywhites in the standings.

Sheffield United missed the chance to close the gap on the top four after Antoni Sarcevic rescued a point for Fleetwood Town at Highbury. Robert Harris had given the Blades an early lead.

Yeovil Town boss Gary Johnson took family bragging rights and three points after his side earned an away win at Oldham Athletic, managed by son Lee Johnson.

First half goals from Stephen Arthurworrey, Simon Gillett and Sam Hoskins proved crucial as the Somerset club boosted their hopes of survival in League One.

Rochdale ended a poor run of form with a comfortable away victory at Colchester United. Matthew Lund and Peter Vincenti put Dale two up inside half an hour, before Ian Henderson added a third before the interval. Keith Hill's men eventually ran out 4-1 winners in Essex.

Reda Johnson was the hero for Coventry City as his goal at Port Vale set the Sky Blues en route to victory in the Potteries, one which moves them to within six points of the playoff places.

Peterborough United remain outside the playoff positions on goal difference after they condemned Leyton Orient to a 2-1 defeat in Fabio Liverani's first game in charge of the Londoners. Erhun Oztumer's free kick proved pivotal for Posh at Brisbane Road.

Luke Norris's second-half double gave Gillingham a priceless win away to Doncaster Rovers and keeps the Medway outfit just above the bottom four.

Scunthorpe United are also just above the relegation places after Miguel Angel Llera's strike saw the Yorkshiremen to a 2-1 win over bottom side Crewe Alexandra.

Walsall's recent good run continued after they came from behind to beat Barnsley 3-1 at the Banks Stadium, with Jordan Cook netting a brace.

Results in full: Bristol City 1-0 Crawley, Chesterfield 0-1 Bradford, Colchester 1-4 Rochdale, Doncaster 1-2 Gillingham, Fleetwood 1–1 Sheffield United, Notts County 0–3 Swindon, Oldham 0–4 Yeovil, Port Vale 0–1 Coventry, Preston 1–1 MK Dons, Scunthorpe 2–1 Crewe, Walsall 3–1 Barnsley