How tonight's results impacted on Portsmouth and Sunderland's promotion hopes

Pompey moved up two places to fourth in the League One table despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Fleetwood at Fratton Park.

Jonson Clarke-Harris scored Bristol Rovers' second goal against Sunderland from the penalty spot Picture by FRANK REIDplaceholder image
Jonson Clarke-Harris scored Bristol Rovers' second goal against Sunderland from the penalty spot Picture by FRANK REID | JPIMedia Resell

Yet, it could have been a lot worse had it not been for events 120 miles west of PO4, where Bristol Rovers were playing host to promotion-chasing Sunderland.

A Black Cats away win was expected given the home side’s dreadful record of just one win in the league since the turn of the year.

However, it never materialised as Phil Parkinson’s side went down 2-0 at the Memorial Ground to slip to seventh in the standings.

They began the day in fifth – level on points with the Blues on 59 points but with a superior goal difference.

Now they sit outside the play-off positions, with goal difference again coming into play, and with their destiny out of their own hands.

Peterborough sit sixth, also on 59 points – but with one less game played than the Wearsiders.

Meanwhile, if both Wycombe (eighth) and Doncaster (ninth) win both their games in hand, Parkinson’s side could drop further down the table.

The Chairboys could also leapfrog Pompey, with Gareth Ainsworth’s side – ]also currently on 59 points – having a game in hand on the Blues.

Elsewhere in the division, Blackpool suffered a 2-1 home defeat against relegation-threatened Tranmere.

Meanwhile, Burton and Bolton drew 2-2.

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