A number of sides in midtable took advantage, with just four points now separating third from 13th. That was helped, though, by a number of tight fixtures between teams towards the top end of the standings. It has been a predictably volatile week, so Phil Smith runs through his power rankings to establish who came out of the two fixtures looking in good order, and who has been left with a lot of work to do to get their campaign back on track….
5. 18. Portsmouth (-5)
Another very difficult week. No game on Saturday and the chance to build momentum looked gone when Burton took a 2-0 lead six minutes into the clash at Fratton Park. A late penalty from Brett Pitman rescued a point but the performance has not impressed the Pompey faithful. Inconceivable that they will stay so low in the table but they will be very concerned about the growing gap. They need Marcus Harness back fit quickly, and their defensive struggles since Matt Clarke left continue. Photo: Bryn Lennon
6. 17. Rochale (-7)
A steep drop that needs to be put into context. Rochdale had two tricky fixtures while the sides around them almost universally had a strong week. They were hammered 6-0 by Peterborough, their tiki-take style unravelling with a host of desperately poor goals gifted away. The response, though, was good, a 1-1 draw with Lincoln City that could have been more. A slight reality check after a fine start but they remain ahead of where most expected them to be. Photo: George Wood
7. 16. Oxford United (+2)
A week that underlined their inconsistent start to the season. An emphatic 3-0 win over Tranmere followed by a 0-0 draw with Bolton Wanderers. Keith Hill's side may be a different prosposition to where they were a couple of weeks ago but neverthless, Karl Robinson would have expected a lot more. Photo: Alex Burstow
8. 15. Gillingham (+5)
A very good few days for a side that had impressed in patches of games without being able to sustain it for 90 minutes. A ruthless 2-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers was followed by than a more than creditable 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers in what was a very tight game. Lifted them away from trouble and into midtable. Photo: Bryn Lennon