The spotlight shone on Sky Bet League Two on Tuesday with two highly consequential fixtures at both ends of the table.

Port Vale looked to build on their impressive home form as they hosted Barrow, a side that has only won three games on the road this season. The Valiants knew a win would take them within two points of the automatic promotion places in what is proving to be a tightly contested promotion battle.

It was the visitors who started the brighter though, with Ben Amos forced into an early save before Ben Jackson blazed a good chance over the bar.

Jackson took his next chance, firing an effort through a crowd of bodies and into the bottom corner to give Barrow a vital lead as the half-time whistle approached.

Port Vale came out in the second-half with a point to prove, dominating the majority of the play. Barrow 'keeper Paul Farman was forced into the first of many smart stops from substitute Lorent Tolaj's free-kick.

Tolaj then crashed another free-kick against the frame of the goal for the hosts, the first of four strikes to come back off the woodwork for Port Vale.

Farman put in an inspired second-half performance to deny Port Vale and see his side claim a huge win on the road, Port Vale left frustrated that they couldn't find a way through.

In the evening's other game, MK Dons made the long trip up to Carlisle in a must-win game for the Cumbrians.

Starting the evening rock-bottom of the table, Carlisle's fight for survival got off to the worst possible start when Joe Tomlinson swept home at the far post just six minutes in.

The Cumbrians hit back twenty minutes later through former MK Dons forward Matty Dennis' towering header, restoring parity in a frantic start to the game.

The next goal looked to be crucial and it fell to the visitors via Skipper Alex Gilbey, who capitalised on hesitation at the back to round the keeper and slot into the empty net.

The lead was once again short-lived, with the impressive Kadeem Harris smashing home the leveller on the stroke of half-time for Carlisle after Thomas' effort had been deflected.

The second-half didn't quite match the first in terms of goalmouth action until the dying moments, with Carlisle midfielder Stephen Wearne planting a free header onto the roof of the net in a big chance for the hosts.

The game ended all square meaning Carlisle climb off the bottom of the league table but still sit six points from safety.

Take a look at the updated league table here.