Another eventual night in the EFL comes to an end on this festive Friday.

Good thing is, unlike once the presents are opened, the gravy jug is empty or the last wine is poured, this isn't the end of the party.

We'll be back tomorrow with a full Saturday of delights, starting with a lunchtime special of Leeds against Ipswich from Elland Road.

See you then. Good night.

This is a welcome sight for Swansea fans, as they climb eight points clear of the bottom three and maybe with the top half in their future sights.

For Alan Sheehan, it's more about immediate results and performances, and while today wasn't note perfect, the tune was just about right thanks to Jamie Paterson's solo.

Bristol City are the big winners from tonight's Championship games, moving within four points of the top six.

Hull City keep their place for now but the likes of Sunderland will be breathing down their necks with new boss Michael Beale in place.

Preston are desperate for an upturn despite sitting in ninth, but tonight wasn't their night.

Sanny Rudravajhala
Reporting for 5 Live Sport

It got a tad tetchy at the end but Stockport have held on to get all three points.

10,233 fans have seen what became a stream of attack from Notts County but lacking that final finish.

That was precipitated by Kyle Wootton’s early goal meaning Stockport were able to sit back and absorb long periods of pressure.

Paddy Madden’s penalty wins it in the end after David McGoldrick’s late goal gave the Magpies a chance but in truth Stockport played at their own pace and ultimately deserved the three points, despite the late goal flourish.

Jamie Hoyland
Former Preston youth coach on BBC Radio Lancashire

Preston had to come away with a point tonight.

A defeat to happen like this is devastating for Preston North End.

Ryan Lowe will be devastated. Going behind then getting back in it, but when they lost their momentum the game went scrappy.

The winner somes up where Preston are at the moment. I don't think Swansea deserved to win, a draw would have a been a fair result.

It was a night for the top scorers; no real surprises in the goal scoring column of the other four League Two matches this evening.

Bradford came from behind to win 3-1 at Doncaster Rovers. Doncaster took an early lead - Joe Ironside their top scorer this season again with the goal. But this was nullified by Tyler Smith with the strike just before first half injury time commenced. Bradford's hotshot Andy Cook sealed the three points with his 11th and later 12th of the season.

The 10-men of AFC Wimbledon hung on to beat Crawley thanks to Josh Davison and Ali Al-Hamadi’s 11th goal in his past 10 games in all competitions for the Dons. Will Wright's late finish was scant consolation; 1-2.

Joe Taylor put Colchester 1-0 up at home to Salford. This it stayed until a manic finish. Chay Cooper made it 2-0, then Conor McAleny got one back, both one minute either side of the 90th minute mark. Colchester 2-1 Salford.

The only goalless game was the earlier kick-off where Troy Deeney’s Forest Green Rovers were caught in a stalemate with Gillingham.

Jamie Paterson's double hands Swansea a precious win - only their second in nine games, to lift some of the gloom around the South Wales club.

Paterson's fine finishes were two bright spots in a largely drab game which suffered for the anxiety around both teams' poor form.

Preston fought back through Liam Millar to equalise after Paterson's first, and had great chances to win it.

Ryan Lowe will be feeling some pressure now. That's just one win in seven games. It's tailed off dramatically after a fine start.

Image source, Rex Features

Big win for Liam Manning and Bristol City, who not only deliver another dent to a promotion challenger but also secure rare back-to-back wins.

In a pulsating, see-sawing game, Tommy Conway put the home side ahead only for Aaron Connolly and Ozan Tufan turn it Hull's way before the break.

Both sides pressed, before the Robins got the breakthrough with an equaliser from Anis Mehmeti, and with the Tigers wilting, Jason Knight fired what proved to be the winner.

Hull will still be there or thereabouts, it won't define their season. But it's a defeat by a side they'd possibly hope to be beating if they are serious about promotion.

The home side are still in the mix themselves, if they can put a run of form together.

Barrow stay within six points of the leaders Stockport County, who themselves also won tonight, at the top of League Two.

They did not have it easy though, Crewe really roaring back around the hour mark when it could have been 2-2 had Courtney Baker-Richardson taken his chance or been awarded a penalty for a foul on him in the space of two manic minutes after Elliott Nevitt's goal.

Mark Stallard
Former Notts County striker on BBC Radio Nottingham

There is a lot of frustration because Notts County have left with nothing, but Stockport County are a strong team.

County outplayed them, but Stockport had the nous to take their chances when up against it.

Exeter's final away trip of 2023 is not much more positive than any of their recent road trips up north in League One.

They hung in there as it could have been many more, but never looked like beating this Us side.

Yes he did leave it too late is the answer.

Stockport plough on atop League Two.

Seven minutes added time at both the Championship games.

Symmetry.

Two goals in quick succession at Colchester; they went 2-0 up, but then were dragged back to 2-1 by Salford.

Crawley have one back against the 10-men of AFC Wimbledon. Will Wright with the finish from the edge of the area into the far corner.

And Andy Cook has his second of the match in the Yorkshire derby. Bradford now 3-1 up against Doncaster.

Ali McCann goes on the rampage for Preston, storming forward, but his vicious effort soars over the top of the Swansea goal.

Former Premier League striker Elias Kachunga finally makes this more comfortable for Cambridge United in the 84th minute.

Exeter had been hanging in this one almost since the opening whistle, they have their quality young goalkeeper to thank that their goal difference has not been stung further so far.

Gary Owers
Former Bristol City midfielder on BBC Radio Bristol

The keeper has had a nightmare following on from the one that Ryan Allsop had, both of those two goals should have been saved. It's gone through him, it's right at him.

It's gone into the back of the net which is all that matters.

It's been a topsy-turvy night. Bristol City have been up, they've been down, and now they are bouncing around.

Dave Bayliss
Ex-Barrow manager on BBC Radio Cumbria

The little fella has attacked that really well. He has got on the end of that and nobody expected that.

It's a great ball, a great run, and a great header from probably the smallest player in the area.

For Crewe, that might have just killed them.