Jermaine Beckford boost for Preston as Bristol City stumble once again

League One

Jermaine Beckford’s winner yesterday was the striker’s eighth goal of his loan spell at Preston (Getty Images)

Bristol City’s march towards the League One title was checked as they were held for the second game running in a 1-1 draw at Oldham Athletic yesterday.

Steve Cotterill’s side, who dropped two points against Barnsley last week, saw their lead at the top cut to eight points with six games left.

Aaron Wilbraham struck his 18th goal of the season to put City ahead on 71 minutes, but Carl Winchester equalised four minutes later.

Preston North End moved seven points clear of third-placed Swindon Town in pursuit of the second automatic promotion place with a 1-0 home win over Rochdale. On-loan Bolton Wanderers striker Jermaine Beckford scored the winner on 36 minutes, his eighth goal in 16 league games for Preston this season.

Yeovil Town’s survival hopes were dealt a blow as they squandered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at home to Chesterfield. James Hayter gave the bottom club an 18th-minute lead and Sam Foley put them two up in the 57th minute, but Chesterfield hit back with three goals in 11 minutes as Sam Hird and James O’Shea’s double turned the game on its head.

Fleetwood stayed in the play-off hunt, Gareth Evans’ first-half goal being enough for a 1-0 win at Gillingham.

Scunthorpe United eased their relegation fears with a first win in 10 matches, 2-0 at home to play-off-chasing Peterborough United. Paddy Madden struck five minutes before half-time and on-loan Theo Robinson scored his second in as many games for the club in the 73rd minute.

Second-bottom Colchester United gave their fans hope of survival with a 2-1 win at Port Vale. Walsall drew 0-0 with Notts County, while Crewe and Crawley were also goalless in their survival fight.