Former Carlisle United star Jamie Devitt hit a crucial winner for Barrow - and helped his former club in the process.

The midfielder scored the decisive goal with a superb free-kick as the south Cumbrians came from behind to beat Newport 2-1.

As well as boosting Barrow's survival chances, it denied seventh-placed Newport the chance to increase their advantage in the play-off race.

It means Carlisle, in 14th, can move to within three points of the play-off positions with a win at second-bottom Southend tomorrow.

Devitt's 84th-minute goal - against the club for whom he played earlier this season - followed Scott Quigley's leveller to wipe out Scott Bennett's Newport opener at Holker Street, with Mickey Demetriou sent off late on for the Welsh side.

Barrow moved six points clear of the bottom two.

Bottom side Grimsby are eight points adrift of safety after a 1-1 draw at Salford, Harry Clifton's Mariners opener cancelled out by the hosts' Ibou Touray.

Colchester are third bottom despite a valiant 0-0 draw at high-flying Bolton in Hayden Mullins' first game in charge.

At the top of the table, prolific Paul Mullin struck twice for Cambridge as they edged past sixth-placed Morecambe 2-1, Freddie Price pulling one back.

Second-placed Cheltenham thrashed fellow contenders Tranmere 4-0 at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium, Conor Thomas, Will Boyle, Alfie May and Callum Wright all on target.

Bolton sit third and Tranmere fourth, while fifth-placed Forest Green were on the end of a 4-1 beating at Bradford for whom ex-Carlisle men Andy Cook (two) and Elliot Watt scored as well as Danny Rowe, Jake Young scoring for Mark Cooper's side.

Exeter remain a point outside the play-off places after going down 1-0 at improving Port Vale, Theo Robinson with the early Valiants goal.

Ninth-placed Leyton Orient's good run continued with a 2-0 win at Mansfield thanks to two goals from Danny Johnson.

Stevenage picked up yet another win, Scott Cuthbert's first-half goal enough to see off Keith Curle's Oldham 1-0.

There were goalless draws, meanwhile, between Scunthorpe and Crawley, and Walsall and Harrogate.