Wolverhampton Wanderers have moved to the top of League One at the expense of Leyton Orient after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Notts County at Meadow Lane.
Kenny Jackett's men were made to work hard for their points, though, as the bottom-placed Magpies held out for 76 minutes, until Ethan Ebanks-Landell bagged his first senior goal and usurped Russell Slade's Orient in the process.
The Londoners, who had dropped just seven points all season - one defeat, two draws - suffered their first home loss in the league after going down 1-0 to Preston North End at the Matchroom Stadium.
Joe Garner proved to be the difference between the two teams, expertly volleying past goalkeeper Jamie Jones in the 33rd minute, as the O's were devoid of the free-scoring form that has seen them bag at least one goal in each of their previous 15 league fixtures this season.
Consequently, Simon Grayson's Preston side move to within two points of third-placed Peterborough United, who travel to Walsall on Monday evening.
However, the Lilywhites sit behind Brentford on goals scored, as the Bees thrashed lowly Crewe Alexandra 5-0 at Griffin Park.
Marcello Trotta opened the scoring two minutes from half time, executing a Luis Suarez-type header past goalkeeper Alan Martin, before Adam Forshaw, George Saville and a Clayton Donaldson brace piled the misery on the Railwaymen, who remain in the relegation zone.
Rotherham United registered their first victory since October 5, comfortably dispatching Stevenage 3-0 at Broadhall Way.
Ben Pringle opened the scoring for the Millers on 14 minutes, and Claude Davis and Michael O'Connor added second-half goals as Steve Evans's men leap-frog local rivals Bradford City.
Port Vale also enjoyed victory this afternoon, cruising to a 3-1 win over Shrewsbury Town at Vale Park.
Chris Robertson and Jennison Myrie-Williams fired the Valiants to a 2-0 half-time lead, before Jordan Hugill extinguished any hopes of a comeback after Liam McAlinden had halved the deficit for the visitors.
Results in full: Brentford 5-0 Crewe Alexandra, Carlisle United 1-1 Crawley Town, Colchester United 1-2 Swindon Town, Leyton Orient 0-1 Preston North End, Notts County 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers, Port Vale 3-1 Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield United 1-2 Gillingham, Stevenage 0-3 Rotherham United, Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Bristol City
Shane Callaghan
