CARLISLE kept their hopes of carrying out a mission impossible alive, and did Town a big favour into the bargain.
Having defeated the McAlpine men 1-0 on Tuesday, the Cumbrians claimed a 2-0 win over Oxford, who had been above Town on goal difference in the Division III table.
Goals from former Town favourite Tom Cowan (52 minutes) and Craig Farrell (76) made it 12 points from the last seven matches for Carlisle, who are now seven points behind third-bottom Rochdale.
The Lancastrians, who visit Town tomorrow, were held goalless at home to Bury in their derby clash.
Doncaster extended their unbeaten run to seven matches after coming from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw with a 90th-minute equaliser at home to Cheltenham.
Martin Devaney put the visitors in front five minutes after half-time but Chris Brown's strike from the edge of the penalty area kept Rovers ahead of rivals Hull, who closed the gap at the top to six points after their 2-1 win over Scunthorpe.
Ben Burgess' double in the first half hour was just enough for Hull, who conceded a 73rd-minute goal to Steve MacLean, the division's joint top scorer with Swansea's Lee Trundle (the pair have 21 each).
Fifth-placed Torquay missed out on the chance to capitalise on Oxford's defeat as they were held to a goalless draw at York, while sixth-placed Mansfield were drubbed 4-1 at Lincoln.
Liam Lawrence gave the Stags a first-half lead but the Imps bounced back after the break and a brace for Gary Fletcher, followed by goals from Francis Green and Simon Yeo secured victory.
Seventh-placed Yeovil won 4-0 at home to Bristol Rovers thanks to goals from Adam Lockwood, Abdelhalim El Kholti, Gavin Williams and Colin Pluck.
Cambridge's 4-3 win at Darlington lifted them away from the relegation zone, although they were given a late scare by two 86th-minute home goals.
Boston sank to fourth place off the bottom after slumping 2-0 down at Northampton, who host Town on Saturday.
