A late Liam McAlinden header helped Wolverhampton Wanderers move six points clear in League One with a 1-0 win over 10-man MK Dons.
Sanmi Odelusi was dismissed on 80 minutes for receiving two yellow cards in the space of 60 seconds, before McAlinden ensured that Wolves capitalised on their numerical advantage by heading home a Kevin McDonald cross minutes later.
Consequently, Kenny Jackett's men move six points ahead of second-placed Brentford, who were held to a 0-0 draw by Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.
Elsewhere, Leyton Orient saw their automatic promotion bid suffer further damage by slumping to a 1-0 home defeat to Bradford City.
Aaron McLean's 27th-minute strike proved enough for the Bantams to claim victory as Russell Slade's Orient extended their winless run to four games.
As a result, the Londoners remain four points adrift of the Bees in second, who have played two fewer matches.
In contrast, Rotherham United extended their unbeaten record to 15 games - 11 of which have been victories - by securing a 2-1 win at home to Bristol City.
James Tavernier struck either side of a Wade Elliot equaliser as the Millers moved one point behind third-placed Orient with a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Notts County's survival bid continued to grow stronger as Shaun Derry's men secured their third straight win with a 2-0 victory over Colchester United.
Irishman Ronan Murray bagged his fifth goal in four games to give the Magpies the lead after only five minutes at Meadow Lane, before Haydn Hollis added a second on the stroke of half time.
County move out of the relegation places on goal difference and sit on the 40-point mark alongside Carlisle United, Tranmere Rovers and Crewe Alexandra.
Results in full: Crewe 1-2 Coventry City, Leyton Orient 0-1 Bradford City, MK Dons 0-1 Wolves, Notts County 2-0 Colchester United, Oldham Athletic 0-0 Brentford, Preston 1-0 Crawley Town, Rotherham 2-1 Bristol City, Stevenage 1-1 Port Vale, Tranmere 0-0 Carlisle, Walsall 2-1 Shrewsbury Town, Swindon Town 2-1 Sheffield United
Shane Callaghan
