Fourth-placed MK Dons beat Brighton 2-0 at home to keep up their outside chance of snatching a Coca-Cola League One top-two spot.
Ali Gerba (29) and Jason Puncheon's 40th-minute header secured three points for Roberto Di Matteo's side, who have a game in hand over the sides above them.
Luciano Becchio's left-footed effort shortly before the half-hour mark was enough to give fifth-placed Leeds a well-earned 1-0 win at Colchester.
Southend move up to seventh courtesy of a 1-0 win at Huddersfield. Lee Barnard's 63rd-minute penalty after a handball by Tom Clarke provided the winner.
Hartlepool beat second-bottom Hereford 4-2 while rock-bottom Cheltenham lost 1-0 at home to Leyton Orient through Dean Morgan's solitary strike.
Mid-table pair Stockport and Yeovil shared a 0-0 draw, as did Swindon and relegation-threatened Crewe - who are only a point above fourth-bottom Northampton with the Cobblers holding two games in hand.
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