Brett Pitman saw his sixth-minute penalty saved by Macclesfield keeper Jon Brain and it looked costly when Shaun Brisley (35) put the home side ahead.

However, Pitman atoned for his mistake when he netted from 18 yards in first-half stoppage time before heading in the winner on 78 minutes.

Dagenham & Redbridge dropped down to third after they lost 2-1 at home to Rochdale, who go second on goal difference.

It looked good for the Daggers when Peter Gain (three) headed them into an early lead, but they were made to pay for not converting further chances.

Kallum Higginbotham equalised on 70 minutes and Rochdale were soon ahead through Craig Dawson (72).

To sub salt into the wounds, Daggers substitute Wesley Thomas was sent off in stoppage time for a late challenge on Chris Dagnall.

Rotherham and Chesterfield are also on 32 points, three behind leaders Bournemouth.

The Spireites thrashed bottom club Darlington 5-2 as they recorded an eighth home win.

Robert Page (37) and Mark Allott (45) made it 2-0 at half-time and although James Collins (59) lobbed in a long-range effort for the visitors, Kieran Djilali (67) restored the advantage.

Jonathan Hogg (87) looked to have set up a tense finale, but a late double from Scott Boaden (89 & 90) made sure of the points.

Torquay came within five minutes of securing a much-needed draw against high-flying Rotherham, but were eventually undone by late goals from Kevin Ellison (85) and Adam Le Fondre (90).

Notts County remain in the top six but were held to a frustrating goalless draw at home by Aldershot.

Shrewsbury, who occupy the final play-off place, had to rely on a last-minute equaliser from Graham Coughlan to earn a point against Bury at Prostar Stadium.

The visitors went ahead through Danel Nardiello on 29 minutes but Coughlan headed in Omer Riza's cross to the delight of the home crowd.

Aaron Webster struck a late winner for Burton after Hereford had twice battled back from behind at Pirelli Stadium.

The home side went ahead through Shaun Harrad (50) before Leon Constantine (61) levelled.

However, a handball three minutes later by the Hereford forward gave Burton a penalty which Harrad converted, only for Constantine (76) to strike again at the other end.

With just two minutesft, Webster headed in a free-kick from John McGrath.

Morecambe beat Cheltenham 1-0 at Christie Park with a fine individual first-half goal from Laurence Wilson (24).

A brace from Adebayo Akinfenwa earned Northampton a 2-2 draw against Crewe.

Clayton Donaldson (14) and an own-goal from John Johnson (43) put the visitors in control but Akinfenwa completed the turnaround just after the hour when he swept in Luke Guttridge's cross.

Gareth Evans missed a late penalty as Bradford had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Accrington Stanley.

Defender Phil Edwards netted an own-goal after 21 minutes, but Michael Symes' ninth goal of the season on 56 minutes levelled matters.

The Bantams had a golden chance to win it with three minutes left after Robert Grant was penalised for handball, only for Evans to put the spot-kick wide.

Elsewhere, the matches between Lincoln City and Grimsby and Barnet and Port Vale - who had Tommy Fraser sent off in stoppage time - finished goalless.