CLOSING THE GAP

Southend United moved to a point behind npower League 2 leaders Crawley Town after a 3-0 win over 10-man Port Vale.

Mark Phillips' eighth minute header put them ahead before Liam Dickinson nodded in the second just before the half-hour. Gareth Owen's close-range own goal, under no pressure at the far post, 10 minutes after the break made it 3-0 before the visitors' misery was compounded when Clayton McDonald was sent off for a second bookable offence as the Shrimpers went second.

Crawley were involved in the FA Cup, beating Bristol City of the npower Championship.

MIXED FORTUNES AT THE BOTTOM

Crewe Alexandra made hard work of beating bottom side Plymouth Argyle at home as they twice let their opponents back into the game in the 3-2 win.

Two goals from Luke Murphy put Alex in control at half-time, but Adam Dugdale's foul on Warren Feeney allowed Simon Walton to score with a penalty five minutes into the second half.

The home side re-established their two-goal cushion just three minutes later through Ashley Westwood's spot-kick but even then they gave Argyle hope by allowing Matt Lecointe to score.

In the last minute Plymouth Argyle had Conor Hourihane sent off for a second bookable offence as Crewe held on.

Northampton Town moved three points clear of Plymouth Argyle at the bottom after a 2-1 win over Morecambe. Goals either side of half-time from John Johnson and Akwasi Asante ensured Kevin Ellison's 81st minute goal counted for nothing.

ELSEWHERE IN THE DIVISION

Oxford United moved into seventh place after beating Aldershot Town 3-0.

Jon-Paul Pittman's eighth minute header was doubled by Michael Duberry, and on the stroke of half-time Peter Leven completed the scoring.

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