Football League roundup: Peterborough close on playoffs with win over Derby

Peterborough claimed a crucial victory in the race for the League One playoffs by beating fellow promotion hopefuls Derby 2-0. Second-half goals from Ephron Mason-Clark and Nathanael Ogbeta settled the contest and moved Darren Ferguson’s men to within a point of the top six.

Derby, who kicked off four points clear of their hosts, had the only attempt on target of the first half when Conor Hourihane was denied by the boot of keeper Will Norris. It was a different story after the break, though, as Mason-Clark rifled a 52nd-minute opener past Joe Wildsmith, and Ogbeta made sure of the points in the 82nd.

Colby Bishop missed one penalty and scored another as Portsmouth fought back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Port Vale. Vale were gifted the lead with only eight minutes played as Pompey defender Connor Ogilvie made a mess of clearing Mal Benning’s low cross, allowing Matty Taylor to fire home from close range.

Matt Macey was at fault as Funso Ojo doubled the visitors’ advantage from 20 yards out seven minutes before half-time after Taylor had charged down the goalkeeper’s miscued clearance.

Pompey wasted the chance to halve the deficit in the 44th minute as top scorer Bishop saw his tame penalty saved by Aidan Stone, but he made amends midway through the second half by converting from the spot after Ellis Harrison had clumsily brought down Ogilvie. Pompey then drew level just three minutes later when substitute Michael Jacobs found the bottom corner from 12 yards.

A late Chris Forino header earned playoff-chasing Wycombe a 1-1 draw at in-form Charlton. Miles Leaburn’s first-half goal had put Dean Holden’s side on course for their first win at the Valley since mid-January, but Forino levelled nine minutes from