MANSFIELD Town’s 17-match unbeaten run in League Two came to an end with a 3-2 defeat to managerless Carlisle United.

The Stags had midfielder Neal Bishop sent off for a clash in the tunnel during half-time, when they trailed 2-0, but almost fought back to keep their run going.

Carlisle, who saw John Sheridan resign on Friday, took the lead through Jack Sowerby after just four minutes and Hallam Hope added a second in the 26th minute.

Bishop’s second booking during a half-time confrontation left the visitors with a numerical disadvantage but defender Matt Preston pulled a goal back with 13 minutes left.

Hope restored the hosts’ two-goal lead just two minutes later but Mansfield striker Tyler Walker set up a tense finale when he nodded in with four minutes left.

But Mansfield could not avoid a first league defeat since September and slipped out of the automatic promotion places.

Bury replaced Mansfield in third thanks a 1-0 win at struggling Yeovil Town.

Nicky Maynard scored the only goal after 24 minutes as Ryan Lowe’s men moved to within a point of second-placed Milton Keynes Dons, who were not in action on Saturday and have two games in hand.

Colchester United saw their hopes of getting back into the top seven dented after bottom club Notts County battled to a 3-3 draw at the JobServe Community Stadium.

The U’s went in front after eight minutes through Sammie Szmodics, but County turned the match around with two goals in three minutes.

Jon Stead headed in from a corner to equalise, before Daniel Jones made it 2-1 to the Magpies after 19 minutes.

Kristian Dennis put the visitors further ahead, but Mikael Mandron gave Colchester hope when he scored from close range in first-half stoppage time.

U’s defender Luke Prosser saw a goal ruled out for offside, before Harry Pell equalised from the penalty spot after 67 minutes.

Chris Porter scored a stoppage-time penalty to earn Crewe Alexandra a 2-2 draw at Morecambe.

Midfielder James Jones put the Railwayman in front after 27 minutes but they trailed heading into added time after Andrew Tutte’s free-kick was followed by Kevin Ellison’s fine volley.

But Porter held his nerve at the death to convert from the spot and earn his side a point.

Elsewhere, Ollie Palmer’s penalty earned Crawley Town a 1-0 home win against Cheltenham Town, while Cambridge United beat Stevenage 2-0 thanks to goals from David Amoo and Jevani Brown.