It took Bradley Johnson 42 minutes to break the deadlock but second-half goals from Max Gradel, Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol proved more than enough for Simon Grayson's side.

And the Whites' day was made even better by a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Carlisle for nearest rivals Charlton.

Ian Harte put the hosts ahead at the second attempt four minutes before the break after Carl Ikeme had saved his penalty but Deon Burton levelled with a spot-kick of his own shortly after.

Graham Kavanagh's experience told in the second half as his brace helped Carlisle move away from the bottom four.

MK Dons moved level on points with the Addicks following a 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers today.

All three goals came in the final 19 minutes, with Peter Leven's penalty and a long-ranger from Jason Puncheon putting the Dons two up before Darryl Duffy headed in a last-gasp consolation.

Paul Ince's side leapfrogged Colchester, who went down to a 2-1 defeat against fellow promotion challengers Millwall.

Anthony Wordsworth gave the Us the lead 18 minutes in from a free-kick but Alan Dunne levelled and James Henry snatched all three points for the Lions in injury time.

Fifth-placed Norwich made it five wins from six in the league with a 3-1 victory at Stockport.

A brace from Grant Holt and Wes Hoolahan's penalty proved more than enough for Paul Lambert's side despite Peter Thompson netting for the hosts.

Billy Paynter netted twice in a 4-1 victory over Tranmere as Swindon made it another bad day for Rovers.

Paynter put the visitors two up in the first half and Anthony McNamee made it three with 25 minutes left.

Chris Shuker gave Tranmere a sniff of a point by pulling one back but Simon Ferry's injury-time fourth ensured another hammering for the strugglers.

Bottom side Wycombe also slumped to another defeat, despite being 2-0 up at half-time against Walsall.

Reading loanee Scott Davies netted a brace to put the hosts seemingly in control at Adams Park but Steve Jones set home nerves jangling 10 minutes after the break and Mark Hughes and Alex Nicholls completed a late turnaround.

A see-saw tussle at the Withdean ended all square as Brighton and Hartlepool drew 3-3.

Adam Boyd put the visitors ahead before Liam Dickinson and Nicky Forster turned things in Albion's favour.

Andy Monkhouse quickly levelled and incredibly Ritchie Jones struck in injury time to make it five goals in 45 minutes.

The second half was quiet in comparison, with Forster's second three minutes after the break the only decisive action.

Rickie Lambert salvaged a point for Southampton with a brace in a 2-2 draw against Leyton Orient after Tamika Mkandawire and a Neal Trotman own goal had put the Os two up.

Exeter moved level on 17 points with Brentford after a thumping 3-0 win over the Bees achieved despite Marcus Stewart's sending off.

Bertrand Cozic, Steve Tully and Craig Noone were the Grecians' scorers.