Preston North End are a step nearer to reaching the Championship after a comfortable victory against relegation-threatened Notts County at Meadow Lane.

Jermaine Beckford set Simon Grayson's men on their way to victory before Joe Garner doubled their lead on 31 minutes.

James Spencer pulled a goal back for the Magpies with 18 minutes left, but Preston, who have drawn five of their previous eight games, wrapped up victory through Beckford's second of the night to stay in second place while County remain two points off safety.

MK Dons remain only a point behind the Lilywhites in the table after a second-half strike from Dean Bowditch and a late brace from Carl Baker ensured that Karl Robinson's side picked up a crucial victory at home to Doncaster Rovers.

Swindon Town's hopes of automatic promotion are over after they drew a six-goal thriller against Walsall.

Goals from Kieron Morris and Jordy Hiwula-Mayifuila gave Walsall control at the County Ground before two Ben Gladwin penalties brought the Robins back on level terms.

Substitute Romaine Sawyers looked to have given the West Midlands outfit victory before Jordan Turnbull headed home late on to earn a point. However, Swindon's vastly inferior goal difference to Preston means that the Wiltshire side will likely finish in the playoff positions.

Rochdale's own quest for a playoff place is still alive after a solitary effort from Ian Henderson saw them beat Leyton Orient at Spotland, leaving the O's in the bottom four with two games left.

Scunthorpe United have edged closer to securing their League One status, but saw Billy Clarke cancel out Gary McSheffrey's opener at Glanford Park to give Bradford City a share of the spoils. A point from their final two games will ensure that Scunthorpe remain in the division next season.

Results in full: MK Dons 3–0 Doncaster Rovers, Notts County 1–3 Preston North End, Rochdale 1-0– Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe United 1–1 Bradford City, Swindon Town 3-3 Walsall