Bristol Rovers were unable to capitalise on results elsewhere as Stevenage inflicted a seventh defeat in eight games on them with a 1-0 win.
Jamie Reid’s fine individual goal lit up the Memorial Stadium in the 11th minute and was enough to give Boro a first victory in six on the road and keep Rovers in the relegation zone.
The Northern Ireland international showed great composure in the penalty area to collect an Elliott List pass and bypass defender Taylor Moore, before evading further challenges and coolly rounding Jed Ward to fire into the net, with full-back Jack Hunt blocking the ball on the goal-line but unable to stop it looping in.
Substitute Harvey White almost doubled the lead as his arcing free-kick from just outside the penalty area hit a post on the half-hour mark.
Rovers threatened in the first half when Hunt met a deep Luke Thomas cross and Ruel Sotiriou drilled a cross-shot at goal but the ball was touched wide by goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond.
A low save by Ward two minutes after the restart denied Jordan Roberts before Kyle Edwards slid a shot just wide 10 minutes later.
Substitute Scott Sinclair volleyed straight at Ashby-Hammond late in the game for a rare Rovers shot on goal.
