SOL Campbell's first league game as Macclesfield Town manager ended in defeat as his side went down 1-0 at Colchester United.

Mikael Mandron scored the only goal of the game just before the half-hour mark, driving a low left-foot shot past goalkeeper Kieran O'Hara from the edge of the box.

Campbell's team battled hard in the second half and defender Fiacre Kelleher almost rescued a late point for Macclesfield, but his header dropped narrowly wide.

The Silkmen remain bottom of the table and six points from safety, while Colchester have climbed up into the automatic promotion places.

Milton Keynes Dons maintained their two-point advantage at the top with a home win against Carlisle United.

Second-half goals from Jordan Houghton and Kieran Agard gave the Dons a third consecutive 2-0 success at stadium:mk.

Lincoln City remain on their coattails after an early penalty by John Akinde was enough for the Imps to win 1-0 at Stevenage.

Bury kept their promotion challenge on track with a 2-0 home victory against Exeter City.

Jay O'Shea and Byron Moore were on target for the Shakers, who won for the fourth time in five league outings.

CJ Hamilton struck in each half as Mansfield Town extended their unbeaten run to 13 league matches with a 2-0 victory against neighbours Notts County in the early kick-off. The Magpies remain in the bottom two.

Tranmere Rovers are into the top seven after James Norwood's strike gave them a 1-0 home win against Cambridge United.

Forest Green Rovers scored twice in stoppage time to stun Yeovil Town 2-1 at Huish Park.

Rhys Browne's goal looked like being enough for all three points for the hosts, especially when Rovers had Paul Digby sent off after 76 minutes. However, George Williams and Reuben Reid struck right at the end of the game to seal a dramatic victory.

Conor Thomas' stoppage-time penalty gave Cheltenham Town a 2-1 home win against Grimsby Town. Ryan Broom and Elliot Embleton had scored earlier in the match.

A Kevin van Veen spot-kick saw Northampton Town win 1-0 at Crawley Town, who had Ollie Palmer sent off.

Peter Clarke and Chris O'Grady scored in Oldham Athletic's 2-0 away success at Crewe Alexandra, while Morecambe drew 2-2 with Port Vale.

Goals from Ajay Leitch-Smith and Jason Oswell put Morecambe in control before late efforts from Antony Kay and Tom Pope levelled things up.

However, there was still time for more drama at the Globe Arena as Leitch-Smith saw his 89th-minute penalty saved by Scott Brown.