Darlington plunged into deeper trouble this afternoon with a 3-0 home reverse to table-topping Chesterfield.

The Spireites, who were held to a goalless draw at home to Hartlepool in midweek, brushed a struggling Quakers team aside in emphatic fashion. David Reeves opened the scoring in the 33rd minute and Sean Parrish increased the visitors lead on the stroke of half-time. The Quakers' misery was complete when substitute Dudfield completed the rout with five minutes left.

In-form Middlesbrough stretched their unbeaten run under Terry Venables to eight games with a well-earned point against Liverpool at Anfield. Reds striker Michael Owen squandered three chances as Boro collected a valuable point.

Newcastle put their midweek cup exit behind them with a comfortable win over Leeds at Elland Road. The home side took an early lead through Robbie Keane. But a Nolberto Solano penalty two minutes later silenced the home crowd and Clarence Acuna put Bobby Robson's side 2-1 up just before half-time. Youngster Shola Ameobi wrapped things up with a late strike.

Carlisle striker Scott Dobie was the villain at Victoria Park this afternoon, rescuing a point for Carlisle after Paul Arnison looked to have clinched the all-important strike early in the second half. The Cumbrians went ahead after 16 minutes through Carl Heggs. Craig Midgley brought Pool back into the game equalising after 46 minutes and just as Pool looked to have sealed a valuable three points through Arnison, Dobie popped up to claim a point for Ian Atkins' side.