Luton were beaten for the first time in more than two months as in-form Port Vale clinched a staggering 4-0 victory over the Sky Bet League Two table-toppers.
The Hatters entered the clash on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run in the fourth tier but they fell behind in the 23rd minute when defender Dan Potts could only divert Ben Whitfield’s cross into his own net.
Tom Pope struck on the hour mark after being teed up by the influential Whitfield, who tapped into an empty net after 70 minutes.
Port Vale’s Tom Pope (right) scored twice as League Two leaders Luton Town were stunned
Luton remain four points clear at the top of League Two despite their surprise setback
Pope added his second with eight minutes remaining to complete the rout as Luton suffered their first defeat since October 28.
Vale have now taken 13 points from an available last 15 to move away from the drop zone and next go to second-placed Notts County, who were unable to close the four-point gap on Luton after going down 1-0 at Swindon.
Luke Norris scored the only goal of the game just after half-time, getting the final touch to Keshi Anderson’s ball across the area.
Matt Rhead struck in either half as Lincoln stayed third after edging out rock-bottom Forest Green 2-1.
The Imps striker opened the scoring in the eighth minute and although the visitors pulled one back through Christian Doidge, Rhead’s second of the afternoon just before the hour settled matters.
Exeter are up to fourth after Jake Taylor’s last-gasp strike sealed a 2-1 win over Barnet, who drop into the bottom two after Chesterfield’s goalless draw against Colchester.
Matt Rhead (left) scored twice as Lincoln City beat Forest Green Rovers 2-1 to stay third
Rhead makes his physical presence felt as Lincoln edged out the bottom side at Sincil Bank
Barnet drop into the bottom two in the division as Chesterfield gained a point on Saturday
The Grecians took the lead on the half hour through Kane Wilson but Ryan Watson’s 69th-minute goal looked to have given the struggling Bees a point, only for Taylor to strike in added-on time.
Marc McNulty scored and then missed a penalty in the second half as Coventry climbed up to fifth with a 1-0 win at Carlisle.
Wycombe drop to sixth after surrendering a one-goal lead in their 2-1 defeat at home to Mansfield. Adebayo Akinfenwa gave Wanderers an early lead but strikes after the interval from Alfie Potter and Lee Angol helped the Stags claim all three points.
Accrington ended a four-match losing streak as Billy Kee’s penalty, plus further second-half goals from Sean McConville and Kayden Jackson, saw Stanley brush aside Grimsby 3-0 to move up to seventh in the standings.
Enzio Boldewijn’s goal steered 10-man Crawley to a 1-0 victory over Stevenage. Harry Kewell’s men withstood the first-half dismissal of Josh Payne to secure the win.
Jake Taylor celebrates with his team-mates after scoring for Exeter City against Barnet
Lee Angol celebrates scoring the winning goal for Mansfield Town at Wycombe Wanderers
Crawley Town celebrate after beating Stevenage 1-0 despite being reduced to 10 men
Drey Wright of Colchester United fires towards goal during their draw at Chesterfield
George Maris scored inside the first 60 seconds while goals afterwards from David Amoo and Uche Ikpeazu gave Cambridge a 3-1 win over Crewe, with Chris Dagnall’s strike for Alex proving mere consolation.
Jabo Ibehre was sent off late on for Cambridge.
Finally, Newport striker Padraig Amond’s goal was cancelled out by Mohamed Eisa as County were held to a 1-1 draw at Cheltenham.