Bury have been relegated from League One after just two seasons in the division.
The Greater Manchester club, who this week gave a plea for £1m of investment, were defeated 1-0 at home to Oldham to send the Shakers down to the fourth tier.
This win was vital for Oldham too as the three points keeps them out of the relegation zone.
Neil Austin's early strike staved off Hartlepool's relegation threat for another week, while Portsmouth conceded two late goals at Brentford to keep themselves in the mire.
It was a good day for the teams at the other end of the league as the top five all won.
Leaders Doncaster won 2-1 at Crewe courtesy of a Billy Paynter double and Brett Pitman also bagged a brace and scored in his seventh consecutive game as Bournemouth eased to a 3-0 victory at Shrewsbury.
Brentford, Yeovil and Sheffield United all won to cement their places in the playoffs.
Results in full: Brentford 3-2 Portsmouth, Bury 0-1 Oldham, Carlisle 1-1 Preston, Crawley 2-0 Coventry, Crewe 1-2 Doncaster, Leyton Orient 2-0 MK Dons, Notts County 3-1 Colchester, Scunthorpe 1-1 Walsall, Sheffield 2-0 Swindon, Shrewsbury 0-3 Bournemouth, Stevenage 0-2 Yeovil, Tranmere 0-1 Hartlepool
Grant Yardley
