Wolverhampton Wanderers have maintained their chances of a top-two finish in League One with a 2-0 home win against Crewe Alexandra.
Michael Jacobs gave Wolves the lead as early as the third minute and Leigh Griffths wrapped up the points with his strike from outside the box two minutes into injury time.
The hosts were also denied twice by the frame of the Crewe goal, but that did not deter them from going level on 47 points with league leaders Leyton Orient, who defeated Gillingham at Priestfield earlier on Thursday.
Brentford and Preston North End are third and fourth in the standings following their respective wins against Swindon Town and Carlisle United earlier in the day.
Peterborough United and Rotherham United occupy the remaining playoff spots; while the former went down 4-2 at Coventry City, the latter edged past Bradford City 1-0 at Valley Parade thanks to a goal from Haris Vuckic in the 21st minute.
At the other end of the table, Crewe are bottom following their 2-0 defeat at Wolves, while Notts County are ahead of them in 23rd but only on goal difference as they stumped to a 2-2 away defeat against Port Vale.
Stevenage are third from bottom in the standings and Bristol City are a place above them in the relegation zone despite earning a narrow 1-0 victory over Walsall at Ashton Gate.
Elsewhere in League One on Boxing Day, Sheffield United drew 1-1 with Oldham Athletic at Bramall Lane, Crawley Town suffered a 2-0 loss at MK Dons and Tranmere Rovers won 1-0 at Shrewsbury Town.
Results in full: Bradford 0-1 Rotherham, Bristol City 1-0 Walsall, Colchester 4-0 Stevenage, Crawley 0-2 MK Dons, Port Vale 2-1 Notts County, Sheffield United 1-1 Oldham Athletic, Shrewsbury 0-1 Tranmere, Wolves 2-0 Crewe
