CREWE climbed above Exeter into second following a 2-0 win over struggling Macclesfield.

Chris Porter put Alex ahead from the penalty spot after Perry Ng had been brought down by Fraser Horsfall.

Stephen Walker then doubled the lead when a superb ball from Charlie Kirk picked him out and he finished with aplomb.

The Grecians slipped to third after seeing Northampton end their three-game losing streak with a 2-0 win.

The Cobblers were ahead with less than a minute gone when Vadaine Oliver controlled the ball well before firing home and Sam Hoskins wrapped it up 10 minutes from time from the penalty spot.

Plymouth slipped four points behind Swindon after they were held to a goalless draw by Cambridge.

Cheltenham consolidated their place in the play-offs as Reuben Reid’s strike earned them a 1-0 win over Mansfield.

Kwame Poku (27) and Callum Harriott (41) got Colchester’s goals in the 2-1 win at Salford, for whom Ashley Hunter (43) was on target.

Port Vale’s three-match winning run was brought to an end by a 2-2 draw at Walsall and goals from Ryan Inniss and Scot Bennett saw Newport beat Bradford 2-1.

Forest Green’s poor run of form continued as they were beaten 1-0 at Scunthorpe and Carlisle came from 2-0 down at home to Morecambe to claim a 2-2 draw.

Beryly Lubala and Ashley Nadesan gave Crawley a 2-0 win over Stevenage and Leyton Orient were held to a 2-2 draw by Oldham.