League Two round-up: The Iron waste chance to skip away at the top... Rochdale leap into second 

By IAN PARKES, PRESS ASSOCIATION

Published: 16:27 EST, 18 January 2014 | Updated: 16:27 EST, 18 January 2014

Scunthorpe missed the opportunity to extend their advantage at the top of Sky Bet League Two despite stretching their unbeaten run to 10 matches.

Boss Russ Wilcox's side were held to a goalless draw at home to AFC Wimbledon, the first time they have failed to find the net since mid-November.

Nearest challengers Burton were also involved in a goalless stalemate at struggling Bury, who are two points above the relegation zone.

Albion have now been leapfrogged into second place by Rochdale who beat Plymouth 3-0 at Spotland where Jamie Allen set the home side on their way after five minutes.

Clean sheet: Scunthorpe's Sam Winnall's shot is saved by AFC Wimbledon's Ross Worner as his side's kept goalless

After Andres Gurrieri was shown the red card in the 53rd minute for striking defender Jack O'Connell, Rochdale took advantage of their numerical advantage with further goals from Ian Henderson and Michael Rose.

Southend enjoyed their own thumping 3-0 victory over fellow promotion contenders Chesterfield to move above the Spireites into fourth place.

Kevan Hurst set the Shrimpers on their way in the first half before two goals in three minutes around the hour mark from Ryan Leonard and Barry Corr rounded off the triumph.

Chesterfield's miserable day was complete when Marc Richards had a penalty saved by Daniel Bentley in the 69th minute after Hurst had fouled Gary Roberts.

Seeing red: Plymouth's Andres Gurrieri is sent off for striking defender Rochdale defender Jack O'Connell

Above the line: Scunthorpe could have gone well clear of Rochdale at the top with a win

Just six points now separate the top seven vying for the promotion and play-off places as Fleetwood and Oxford enjoyed 2-0 and 1-0 wins respectively over Hartlepool and Wycombe.

Hartlepool's backs were against the wall after just three minutes when Jordan Richards was shown a straight red card for a miserable challenge on Jeff Hughes.

Town, though, failed to make the breakthrough until the 67th minute when Jon Parkin drove home, with Alex Marrow - who rejoined the club on loan from Blackburn this week - adding the second two minutes later.

There was another early bath at Adams Park where Wycombe's Steven Craig was sent off in the 19th minute for elbowing Johnny Mullins.

A fiery contest saw a further eight yellow cards follow before Nicky Wroe scored Oxford's late winner to end their run of five games without a win.

Scholar scores: Oxford's Nicky Wroe celebrates his winner at Wycombe in a spirited match

At the foot of the table, the battle between bottom two Torquay and Northampton at Plainmoor was one of three games postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

Exeter's clash with Morecambe at St James' Park and Newport's game with Dagenham & Redbridge at Rodney Parade were also casualties.

Three other matches played saw Accrington defeat Cheltenham 2-1 at Whaddon Road courtesy of first-half goals from George Bowerman and Luke Joyce, with Jamie Cureton's strike 18 minutes from time not enough for the Robins.

Ryan Taylor, signed on a free transfer from Bristol City nine days ago, scored on his home debut to give Portsmouth a 1-1 draw with Mansfield after Lee Williamson had opened the scoring.

Pompey are now two points and two places above the drop zone, with Bristol Rovers one point directly below them after they ground out a goalless draw at York.

Battle at the bottom: The cluster at the bottom of League Two is clouded by postponed fixtures