Bristol City kept hold of top spot in League One after beating lowly Yeovil Town at Ashton Gate this afternoon.

Kieran Agard had missed a great opportunity to give Steve Cotterill's side the lead from the penalty spot, but his first-half effort was tipped away by Jed Steer.

However, a goal from on-loan forward Matt Smith and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas's penalty ensured that City stayed one point clear at the top.

MK Dons stay hot their heels after a hard-fought victory away to Notts County at Meadow Lane.

The normally free-scoring outfit needed a solitary Daniel Powell strike to take three points off the Magpies.

Swindon Town also remain one point behind, albeit outside the automatic promotion places, after beating Walsall 3-1 at the Banks's Stadium.

Goals from Michael Smith, Massimo Luongo and two from Andy Williams were enough to give the Robins three points.

Preston North End managed to stay in fourth, also one point behind Bristol City, with Paul Gallagher's early penalty helping the Lilywhites to a narrow victory at home to Barnsley.

Bradford City moved into the playoff places and extended their promising recent run of form with a 2-0 win at Fleetwood Town. Goals from James Hanson and Filipe Morais were enough for the Bantams to take three points at Highbury Stadium.

Sheffield United occupy the final playoff place, but fell to defeat at Port Vale with Ben Williamson and a penalty from Dany N'Guessan doing the damage for the Staffordshire club, who move into 12th.

Rochdale missed the opportunity to leapfrog the Blades after Paddy Madden's late strike gave struggling Scunthorpe United victory at Glanford Park.

Peterborough United were condemned to a seventh defeat in nine games as they lost 3-2 at Chesterfield, although late goals from Michael Bostwick and Marcus Maddison had given Posh hope of a fightback against the Spireites.

Doncaster Rovers cruised to comfortable victory against Coventry City with Andy Butler and Harry Forrester scoring against the Sky Blues, who had Adam Barton and James Maddison sent off at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Leyton Orient moved out of the bottom four with a resounding win over Crawley Town, who drop into the relegation zone.

A brace from Chris Dagnall helped steer the O's to a first victory under new manager Fabio Liverani.

Crewe Alexandra are level on points with both Crawley and Orient after a Nicky Ajose brace steered the Railwaymen to three points against Oldham Athletic despite playing much of the second half with 10 men, following George Ray's red card.

Colchester United remain second from bottom after first-half goals from Joe Martin and Bradley Dack gave Gillingham victory at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

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