Peterborough United spurned the chance to join Leyton Orient at the summit of League One following a 2-2 draw away to Crewe Alexandra.
Darren Ferguson's men looked poised to sustain back-to-back defeats in England's third tier, but Michael Bostwick popped up with a last-gasp equaliser to salvage a point for Posh, who had previously gone behind to goals from Vadaine Oliver and Ajay-Leitch Smith.
Crawley Town recorded successive victories for the first time this season with an incident-packed 3-2 victory over Gillingham United at the Broadfield Stadium.
The contest came alive in the second half following a goalless opening 45 minutes. Danny Kedwell's 47th-minute penalty opened the scoring, before both teams were reduced to 10 men following dismissals to Gary Alexander and Charlie Lee within a minute of each other.
Kyle McFadzean levelled matters soon after, before Billy Clarke gave Richie Barker's men the lead. The advantage would be short-lived, though, as Leon Legge made it 2-2 three minutes later but Clarke was on-hand nine minutes from time to seal the victory.
Meanwhile, Rotherham United continued their ascent in League One with a 3-1 victory over lowly Sheffield United.
Jose Baxter had given the Blades a half-time lead, but the hosts rallied in the second half and coasted to the three points, courtesy of goals from Kieran Agard, Daniel Nardiello and Robert Milson.
Elsewhere, Bradford City got back to winning ways with a 4-0 thumping of 10-men Brentford at Valley Parade.
Goalkeeper David Button was sent off after only 25 minutes for the visitors for a challenge on striker Nahki Wells, and the Bantams made their numerical advantage count as goals from James Hanson, Wells and Gary Thompson all secured the points.
Results in full: Bradford City 4-0 Brentford, Carlisle 0-1 Port Vale, Crawley Town 3-2 Gillingham United, Crewe Alexandra 2-2 Peterborough United, MK Dons 1-1 Swindon Town, Rotherham United 3-1 Sheffield United, Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Stevenage
Shane Callaghan
