Cumbrian striker Ryan Bowman was among the goals as Exeter stunned Cambridge in the League Two promotion race.

Carlisle-born former United man Bowman opened the scoring for the Grecians as they toppled the leaders 4-1 at the Abbey Stadium.

After his 13th of the season, Jack Sparkes, Archie Collins and Matt Jay were also on target as an impressive victory for Matt Taylor's eighth-placed side took them to within a point of the play-off places.

Joe Ironside's goal was thin consolation as Cambridge were knocked off top spot by Cheltenham, who beat Leyton Orient thanks to Conor Thomas' penalty.

Bolton are third after coming from behind against Harrogate, who led through a goal from former Carlisle man Mark Beck.

News and Star: Mark Beck put Harrogate ahead at Bolton (photo: PA)Mark Beck put Harrogate ahead at Bolton (photo: PA)

Lloyd Isgrove and Eoin Doyle earned the Trotters a 2-1 win.

Fourth-placed Tranmere were held 0-0 by Scunthorpe while fifth-placed Morecambe went down 1-0 at resurgent Port Vale in a game held up for 45 minutes because of snow.

Nathan Smith hit the winner for Vale, who have won six games in a row under new boss Darrell Clarke.

Forest Green's slide continues with the sixth-placed side beaten 2-1 at Walsall for a fourth straight defeat, Rory Holden and James Clarke netting for the struggling Saddlers and Jordan Moore-Taylor getting a consolation.

Salford picked up a 2-1 home win over Stevenage to go ahead of Carlisle on goal difference, Ian Henderson getting the winner after Boro's Luther Wildin had cancelled out Brandon Thomas-Asante's opener.

Anthony O'Connor's goal kept Bradford in the play-off hunt as they claimed a 1-0 win over bottom side Grimsby, who are seven points adrift of safety - the Mariners also seeing Stefan Payne red-carded for headbutting team-mate Filipe Morais.

Phil Brown's first game back in charge of second-bottom Southend brought a 0-0 draw with Crawley, the Shrimpers four point adrift of third-bottom Colchester, who lost 5-2 at Keith Curle's Oldham on Friday night.

On the same evening, seventh-placed Newport were held 1-1 at Mansfield, Joss Labadie's opener cancelled out by Tyrese Sinclair.