Devante Cole scored twice for MK Dons as Karl Robinson's side moved to the top of League One with an emphatic win against relegation-threatened Crewe Alexandra.
The Manchester City loanee opened his account early at the Alexandra Stadium before Dean Bowditch doubled the Buckinghamshire club's lead.
Cole scored his second before Carl Baker and Daniel Powell got on the scoresheet in the second half to move the Dons above Swindon Town, who narrowly lost at Sheffield United.
Two late goals from Jamie Murphy were enough to give the Blades victory at Bramall Lane and leave the Robins in third place behind Bristol City, who play Fleetwood Town on Sunday at Ashton Gate.
Preston North End remain in fourth place, but their winless run extends to six games after Lee Fowler's late strike gave Crawley Town a priceless 2-1 victory in their bid for survival.
Rochdale shook off their FA Cup defeat against Stoke City last week by coming from behind twice at Coventry City.
Goals from Callum Camps and Calvin Andrew earned Dale a point at the Ricoh Arena which leaves Keith Hill's side just outside of the top six.
After their shock FA Cup win against Chelsea, Bradford City produced another late rally, with Filipe Morais's goal earning the Bantams a point at home to Colchester United to remain just outside the playoff places.
Oldham Athletic are also one point outside the top six after a resounding victory over Notts County, thanks to goals from George Elokobi, Amari Morgan-Smith and Jonathan Forte at Boundary Park.
In a congested playoff picture, Doncaster Rovers had looked like ending the day ahead of their rivals, but goals from Eoin Doyle and Jimmy Ryan gave Chesterfield a 2-2 draw, which moves the Spireites into fifth place instead.
Peterborough United climb into the top half of the table after a solitary goal from Marcus Maddison saw Posh beat bottom-of-the-table Yeovil Town at London Road.
At the bottom, Scunthorpe United continue to move away from the relegation zone following a victory at Leyton Orient, who remain in the bottom four.
First-half goals from Liam O'Neil and Gary McSheffrey set the Yorkshire club on their way to victory, while Tom Hopper netted a second-half brace for Mark Robins's men in a 4-1 victory at Brisbane Road.
Barnsley also move away from danger as Chris Neale's own-goal and a Ben Pearson strike were enough to give the Tykes a narrow win over Port Vale at Oakwell.
Results in full: Barnsley 2-1 Port Vale, Bradford City 1–1 Colchester United, Coventry City 2–2 Rochdale, Crawley Town 2–1 Preston North End, Crewe Alexandra 0–5 MK Dons, Leyton Orient 1–4 Scunthorpe United, Oldham Athletic 3–0 Notts County, Peterborough United 1–0 Yeovil Town, Sheffield United 2–0 Swindon Town
Chris O'Keefe
