City are three ahead of 3rd-placed Huddersfield and also have a game in hand. The Terriers could only managed a point at Rochdale, coming from behind to draw 1-1.
Torquay are a further three points behind in 4th. Jo Kuffour gave them a 2-0 lead within 17 minutes, but Bristol Rovers came back with goals from Paul Tait (28) and Sonny Parker (52) to level matters.
Mansfield missed the chance to close in on 5th-placed Oxford, who play Cheltenham tomorrow. The Stags suffered a 3-0 loss at Bury - their 5th defeat in 7 games.
Lincoln are still 8th after struggling against Southend this evening. Leon Constantine had given the Shrimpers a 2-0 lead before half time, but after Francis Green (51) pulled one back, Simon Yeo saved a point with an equaliser four minutes into stoppage time.
At the foot of the table, Carlisle drew 1-1 with Northampton, while Macclesfield got a crucial 2-1 win over Swansea.
Boston and Kidderminster also earned victories at Cambridge and Scunthorpe respectively.