OXFORD United have lost ground on three of their potential Sky Bet League One promotion rivals.

Fifth-placed Peterborough United extended their advantage over the U’s, in seventh, to eight points after thrashing Northampton Town 5-1 at London Road.

Jon Guthrie gave the Cobblers a ninth-minute lead, however the Posh hit back with goals from Ephron Mason-Clark, Kwame Poku and Joel Randall, to put the home side 3-1 in front at half-time.

Hector Kyprianou and Josh Knight scored within a five-minute spell in the second half, as Darren Ferguson’s side claimed a third successive victory.

Bolton Wanderers rescued a dramatic late point at Barnsley, to leave Oakwell with a 2-2 draw.

John McAtee, on loan from Premier League side Luton Town, opened the scoring after 25 minutes, before Donovan Pines doubled the Tykes lead two minutes into the second period.

Victor Adeboyejo pulled a goal back for the Trotters, before Randell Williams netted a leveller eight minutes into stoppage time, to send Ian Evatt’s side into second. Barnsley remain fourth.

Elsewhere in League One, the other match played saw a resurgent Charlton Athletic win 3-1 at Cheltenham Town.

Daniel Kanu put the Addicks in front, however former United midfielder Liam Sercombe equalised with 20 minutes to go.

Sheffield Wednesday loanee Tyreeq Bakinson and Alfie May netted in the closing stages though, as Charlton extended their unbeaten run to six games, while moving up to 14th in the division.

As for Cheltenham, their winless streak was extended to four matches ahead of their trip to Grenoble Road on Saturday. The Robins are 21st in League One, four points shy of safety.