Scunthorpe lead cut

COCA-COLA League Two leaders Scunthorpe had their lead slashed to five points after being held by Chester yesterday.

Steve Torpey had given the Iron a third-minute lead, tapping in from Paul Hayes’ cross. But Ian Rush’s side were level after Kevin Ellison finished from Stuart Drummond’s centre.

Second-placed Yeovil came from behind to emphatically beat Cheltenham 4-1 at Huish Park.

Martin Devaney opened the scoring for the visitors but goals from Kevin Gall, Phil Jevons, Arron Davies and Paul Terry ensured a win for the hosts.

Swansea remained third after securing a 5-1 win at Kidderminster with two goals from Andy Robinson and strikes from Paul Connor, Izzy Iriekpen and Marc Goodfellow. Gary Birch scored the consolation for bottom-placed Harriers.

Leyton Orient could only manage a draw against 10-man Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.

Robbie Ryan was sent off for the Pirates for deliberate handball after just three minutes and Matthew Lockwood scored from the spot. Jamie Forrester scored a penalty early in the second half to rescue a point from the home side.

Grant Holt scored twice as Rochdale recorded an impressive away win at Darlington. His strike partner Taiwo Atieno scored the other goal as the Dale ran out 3-0 winners at the Reynolds Arena.

Six scorers were on target as Rushden drew 3-3 with Oxford at Nene Park. Craig Dove, David Bell and Jason Taylor scored for the home side, while Chris Hackett, Lee Bradbury and Craig Davies scored for the visitors.

Freddy Eastwood scored the only goal of the game for Southend against Wycombe.

Grimsby played out a goalless draw against Macclesfield at Blundell Park, while matches between Boston and Lincoln, Mansfield and Cambridge and Notts County against Northampton were called off due to frozen pitches. Bury’s home match with Shrewsbury was called off as the visitors’ coach was stuck on the M6 motorway after a traffic accident.