Image source, Rex Features

The last game before Christmas for most teams and the chance to carry on good work or put an end to bad spells.

Carlisle climbed off the foot of League Two, while Barrow, Notts County, Lincoln and Mansfield ended long winless runs.

Walsall power six clear of the rest in the bottom division to ensure a merry Christmas, but sometimes it's about finding a bit of festive cheer.

That was the case for Gareth Ainsworth and Shrewsbury as they fought back from two down to draw with Wigan.

That's not quite all before Christmas - we will be bringing you live Championship action tomorrow as West Brom host Bristol City (15:00 GMT) before the League One clash between Crawley and Birmingham on Monday (20:00) so make sure you join us for those.

Thank you for being with us this afternoon, whatever you have been doing, and enjoy your Saturday evening folks!

Image source, Opta

After Carlisle's impressive point on the road at promotion chasers Port Vale, Morecambe swapped places with the Cumbrians at the foot of the League Two table after the Shrimps' 2-0 defeat against Bromley.

Accrington and Swindon also seemed in the mood to swap league positions as they did just that after the Robins' 3-1 win over Grimsby and Stanley's 2-0 defeat at the hands of Salford.

Harrogate's defeat against Walsall sees them remain in 20th while despite losing 3-1 at Doncaster, Tranmere stay 19th.

Fleetwood's defeat at Barrow sees them slip down into 18th and Newport's 6-3 win over MK Dons moves them up to 16th.

Image source, Opta

Walsall's 2-0 victory over Harrogate send them clear at the top with a six point cushion, while Port Vale miss the opportunity to close the gap with their goalless draw to Carlisle at Vale Park.

Doncaster's 3-1 win over Tranmere sees them up to third while Chesterfield also move up the table and Notts County rises to the last play-off spot.

Meanwhile Crewe Alexandra's draw means they lose out on a place in an automatic promotion spot and AFC Wimbledon drop further away from the top three.

Grimsby Town, MK Dons and Gillingham also lose places.

Image source, Opta

Shrewsbury stay bottom of League One, but they are now level on points with Burton after coming from two down to draw at Wigan, while the Brewers were losing at home to Exeter.

Northampton sit uncomfortably above the bottom four after their 5-0 home thrashing by Charlton and they will fall into the relegation zone if Crawley upset Birmingham on Monday evening.

Bristol Rovers picked up a useful point at home to Wrexham, while Leyton Orient continue to head in the right direction after scoring four without reply at Barnsley.

That result takes the O's above Wigan, Peterborough and Rotherham, three sides who would expect to be much higher up the League One table.

Image source, Opta

With the top two not playing, Wrexham missed a big chance as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bristol Rovers as victory would have taken them above Birmingham and level with leaders Wycombe.

Lincoln won for the first time in eight games and it was enough to get them back in the top six, jumping above their defeated opponents Reading.

Barnsley would have ended the day in sixth with three points, but they were thumped 4-0 by Leyton Orient, continuing their poor form at Oakwell.

Mansfield round off the top-10 as they ended a seven-game winless streak with a narrow win over Rotherham.

• Hat-tricks from Bryn Morris and Bobby Kamwa helped Newport see off MK Dons 6-3 in a remarkable game at Rodney Parade.
• Notts County who had no wins in their past five games scored three goals in four first-half minutes to overcome Bradford 3-0.
• Chesterfield make it three wins on the bounce after their win over fellow play-off hopefuls AFC Wimbledon.
• It's no wins in six for Accrington after they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Salford.
• Bromley stretch their unbeaten league run to nine games after they beat Morecambe 2-0.

• Bottom club Shrewsbury come from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Wigan.
• Gary Bowyer begins his spell as Burton boss with a 2-1 home defeat to Exeter.
• Charlton enjoy a thumping 5-0 victory at Northampton to equal the biggest away win of the season in League One.
• Leyton Orient score four to inflict a heavy home defeat on Barnsley.
• Mansfield win a league game for the first time since 22 October with a single-goal triumph over Rotherham.
• Blackpool and Stevenage play out a goalless draw at Bloomfield Road.

Alan Tonge
Former Exeter midfielder on BBC Radio Devon

It was a bit of an up and down game but Exeter will just be glad to get the three points banked.

Burton are second from bottom and are a struggling team but Exeter have had to come from behind and two very good goals.

Adam Cottier
BBC Sport

Another performance of authority and quality from Walsall who navigate Harrogate’s challenge and tricky weather conditions to win another game.

They look well-coached and streetwise and in Nathan Lowe they have a real emerging talent in the EFL.

Gary Bowyer's first game in charge as Burton boss ends in defeat as Exeter come from behind to claim all three points.

Millenic Alli comes up with a piece of brilliance to win it and spark the Grecians back into life.

Harrogate are unable to mount a comeback with 10 men but keep the damage to two goals against the league leaders.

Albert Adomah scored on his first start for the Saddlers to double their lead and give the side a comfortable six point lead over second place Port Vale.

A stalemate at Vale Park is enough for Carlisle to lift from the bottom.

A fine comeback from Shrewsbury as Will Aimson's own goal and a George Lloyd strike drag them back from two down.

Wigan looked home and hosed after goals from Thelo Aasgaard and Dale Taylor, but the Shrews showed real spirit.

Ian Holloway's 1,000th game in English football ends with a comprehensive win and leaves Grimsby with a bitter taste in his wake... again.

Kabongo Tshimanga's double helped ease Swindon's missed penalty pain when Will Wright's spot kick didn't hit the target.

Meanwhile a handball gave Grimsby the chance to spoil Swindon's clean sheet and Danny Rose had no such problem.

He sent it home for a consolation goal on Holloway's big day.

Carlisle's Samuel Lavelle is shown yellow with five minutes of added on time to play.

We are playing five minutes of injury time at the Brick Stadium.

Will there be a decisive fifth goal of the game?

Goal scorer Nathan Lowe takes a rest on the bench.

In comes Danny Johnson and Oisin McEntee as Ryan Stirk also makes his exit.

We still have some game at Rodney Parade as Bobby Kamwa has also just completed his hat-trick alongside Bryn Morris to make it Newport 6-3 MK Dons.

And Cole Stockton has doubled Salford's lead at Accrington.

He may have scored a 'worldie' but it doesn't stop Millenic Alli from finding his way into the notebook.

He kicks the ball away and that is an obvious yellow card.