Newport County increased their hopes of avoiding relegation after a second-half penalty from Ryan Bird helped them to beat Morecambe.

The Exiles were 11 points adrift when they sacked Graham Westley but are now seven points from safety following back-to-back victories.

The Welsh club moved off the bottom of the table at the expense of Leyton Orient who suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley.

Billy Kee headed in the first before braces from Matty Pearson and Sean McConville sealed the rout.

Hartlepool United climbed away from the drop zone with a 1-0 win away to Cambridge United.

It was the Monkey Hangers’ first three points on the road since October, while Cambridge will be without Max Clark for three matches after he was sent off for a late tackle.

Crewe Alexandra also eased their relegation fears with an impressive away victory at Crawley Town.

James Jones fired the Alex ahead from the spot before two goals in two second-half minutes from Jordan Bowery and Chris Dagnall confirmed the result.

Exeter City got their promotion bid back on track with a first win in eight games as they cruised to victory against Cheltenham Town at St James’ Park.

The Grecians remain in the play-off places while the Robins slip to third from bottom.

Doncaster Rovers’ invincibility at the Keepmoat Stadium continued as they came from behind to beat Notts County.

James Coppinger cancelled out Richard Duffy’s opener, and goals from Mathieu Baudry and Andy Williams turned the match in the league leaders’ favour.

Substitute Nathan Blissett rescued a point for Plymouth Argyle, denting Wycombe Wanderers’ play-off hopes in the process.

The Chairboys looked to be heading for all three points thanks to Myles Weston’s first goal of 2017, but Blissett’s maiden Plymouth goal since arriving from Torquay saw the spoils shared.

Portsmouth strengthened their grip on third place with a convincing win over Grimsby Town.

Paul Cook’s side are now six points clear of Carlisle United thanks to goals from Kyle Bennett, Danny Rose, Carl Baker and Kal Naismith.

Elsewhere, promotion chasers Carlisle United and Luton Town ended goalless while Blackpool and Colchester picked up wins over Stevenage and Mansfield Town respectively.