Tranmere Rovers have blown the opportunity to climb out of the League Two relegation places after being pegged back to a 2-2 draw away at Stevenage.
Bira Dembele opened the scoring for the hosts in the fourth minute, but Jennison Myrie-Williams and Kayode Odejayi struck to put Rovers in front.
In a tightly contested clash laden with hard tackles, Stevenage were able to deny their opponents all three points when Charlie Lee scored in the 78th minute and keep his side in the hunt for a playoff place.
Struggling Cheltenham Town also had no joy as the Football League's basement side lost 1-0 away at York City, courtesy of Dave Winfield's second-half strike that helped the Minstermen up to 20th, five points above the drop zone.
Hartlepool United, meanwhile, earned themselves a valuable away point at playoff-chasing Newport County, as a Lee Minshull own goal and Jordan Hugill's strike cancelled out goals by Darren Jones and Aaron O'Connor to leave the Pools a point above the drop zone.
There was last-minute joy for Carlisle United as Charlie Wyke's strike five minutes into injury time earned his side a 2-2 draw against Portsmouth.
Kyle Dempsey's second-minute goal for the hosts was cancelled out by Jed Wallace and Matt Tubbs strikes before the break, but the former Middlesbrough striker scored at the death to keep his side three points clear of the drop.
At the other end of the table Burton Albion missed out on the chance to extend their lead at the top as they were held to a 1-1 draw away at Plymouth Argyle.
The Brewers find themselves just one point in front of second-placed Shrewsbury Town, who secured a 2-0 win against Dagenham & Redbridge courtesy of Connor Goldson's quickfire first-half brace.
Wycombe Wanderers also suffered a setback as they lost 3-2 against Oxford United, as Kemar Roofe's brace and a Danny Rose strike were enough to hamper the Choirboys' automatic promotion efforts.
Bury, meanwhile, revived their hopes of avoiding the playoffs come season's end as they vanquished Cambridge United 2-0 to find themselves snapping at the heels of the third-placed side, four points behind and with a game in hand.
Further behind sit Southend United, whose 2-0 victory against Mansfield Town keeps them fifth and in good contention to secure a playoff berth at the end of the season.
In other results, AFC Wimbledon and Northampton Town played out a 2-2 draw, Luton Town succumbed to a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Exeter City despite leading by two goals at the break, while Morecambe and Accrington Stanley shared the points in a 1-1 draw.
Results in full: Wimbledon 2-2 Northampton, Cambridge 0-2 Bury, Carlisle 2-2 Portsmouth, Luton 2-3 Exeter, Morecambe 1-1 Accrington, Newport 2-2 Hartlepool, Plymouth 1-1 Burton, Shrewsbury 2-0 Dag & Red, Southend 2-0 Mansfield, Stevenage 2-2 Tranmere, Wycombe 2-3 Oxford Utd, York 1-0 Cheltenham
