League round-up: Chambers strengthens Forest's bid as Leeds eye play-off spot

Second-half strikes from Luke Chambers and Garath McLeary boosted Nottingham Forest's League One play-off aspirations in a 2-0 triumph over second-placed Carlisle United at Brunton Park last night. The Blues had hoped to tighten their grip on an automatic promotion spot but instead were counting their blessings after closest rivals Doncaster suffered a 1-0 defeat to Leeds at Keepmoat Stadium.

It was an Alan Sheehan free-kick from 25 yards out that did the damage after 20 minutes as Leeds rode a disciplinary tightrope with five players being booked. The results mean Rovers remain three points behind Carlisle, but are still in a very strong position to claim a spot in the play-offs. Leeds sit one point away from sixth-placed Tranmere with a game in hand.

In League Two a Jefferson Louis penalty and a John Mullins strike in the second half gave Mansfield a 2-1 victory over Wrexham at Field Mill last night and renewed the Stags' hopes of salvaging their spot in the Football League. Marc Williams slotted home a late consolation goal for the disconsolate Dragons.

The battle between the bottom two clubs in the division left the Welsh side four points adrift in the basement and staring into the abyss of relegation to the Blue Square Premier. Strangely there were plenty of gaps in the crowd at the crucial contest after the local council cut capacity by 50 per cent due to "an interruption in safety management". Mansfield now sit four points from safety.