Brighton batter Pools

Brighton maintained their lead in npower League One with a thumping 4-1 win over Hartlepool.

Chris Wood and the prolific Glenn Murray put the Seagulls 2-0 up inside 17 minutes and quickfire second-half goals from substitute Craig Noone (53) and Murray (56) put the result beyond doubt before Antony Sweeney's consolation.

Bournemouth remained only three points adrift after a solitary goal from Michael Symes earned them victory at Walsall, who are off the bottom of the table only on goal difference.

Third-placed Huddersfield were held to a goalless draw at home by play-off rivals Oldham, Antony Pilkington's free-kick their best effort while Reuben Reid and Aidan White threatened for the Latics.

Southampton and Charlton, fourth and fifth in the table respectively, both enjoyed victories with Rickie Lambert's header moments after the dismissal of Gary Borrowdale proving enough to see the Saints past Carlisle 1-0.

The Addicks beat Peterborough 3-2, overturning a half-time deficit brought about by Lee Tomlin's 29th-minute goal. Johnnie Jackson (57) and Bradley Wright-Phillips (59) instigated the turnaround, Kelvin Langmead's 80th-minute own goal putting the result beyond doubt despite Craig Mackail-Smith's late strike.

MK Dons were pegged back by Brentford as Keanu Marsh-Brown's 48th-minute strike was cancelled out two minutes later by Lewis Grabban.

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