Port Vale assumed top spot in League Two as a Lee Hughes brace and a strike from Darren Purse secured a vital 3-0 win over Accrington Stanley.
Cheltenham Town moved into the automatic promotion spots with a 2-1 home win over Torquay, as Keith Lowe and Shaun Harrard found the target at Whaddon Road.
Burton Albion slipped out of the top three as they were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom-of-the-table AFC Wimbledon. Gary Alexander scored on his debut for the hosts but Michael Symes levelled before half time.
Southend and Rotherham moved into the playoff positions with 1-0 and 3-1 home wins respectively.
The Shrimpers overcame Oxford United thanks to a goal from substitute Ryan Leonard. Meanwhile, strikes from Daniel Nardiello, Kevin Pringle and Michael O'Connor earned the points for the Millers against Northampton Town.
A point each for Plymouth Argyle and Aldershot was enough to move them clear of the relegation zone.
Dean Holdsworth's side are now a point clear after their draw away at Exeter, while the Pilgrims game with Dagenham and Redbridge ended 0-0.
Results in full: AFC Wimbledon 1-1 Burton Albion, Cheltenham 2-1 Torquay Utd, Exeter 0-0 Aldershot, Fleetwood Town 2-2 Bradford, Plymouth 0-0 Dag & Red, Port Vale 3-0 Accrington, Rochdale 1-1 Chesterfield, Rotherham 3-1 Northampton, Southend 1-0 Oxford Utd, York City 1-4 Morecambe.
Simon Sinclair
