Carlisle United's gap to League Two survival remained five points after rivals Tranmere Rovers lost on Tuesday night.
Nigel Adkins' third-bottom strugglers were beaten 1-0 at home by fellow strugglers Accrington Stanley.
The result means bottom side Carlisle can reduce the gap to two points with a win at Barrow on Thursday.
A goal early in the second half at Prenton Park from Accrington's Shaun Whalley was enough to earn the visitors the points.
He fired past home keeper Luke McGee in the 49th minute.
Tranmere, with ex-United man Omari Patrick in their line-up and Kristian Dennis on as a half-time sub, could not find a way back.
The Wirral side remain 22nd, five points above United having now played a game more.
The bottom end of League Two on February 25 (Image: Google)
John Doolan's Accrington climbed a place to 20th, going above Harrogate Town on goal difference. They are ten points above United on the same number of games, and seven above the relegation zone.
Carlisle also have a game in hand on second-bottom Morecambe, and are three points adrift of the Shrimps, whose goal difference is superior to United by four.
Tranmere remain in dire form, now winless in ten games and having only earned three points in that time.
There were three other games in League Two on Tuesday, meanwhile.
Gillingham again failed to ease their own concerns by losing 2-1 at home to Fleetwood Town.
John Coleman's 19th-placed Gills took the lead through Elliott Nevitt, but Mark Helm and Ryan Graydon replied for Pete Wild's 12th-placed Fleetwood.
Gillingham remain 19th, nine points above the drop zone and 12 above United. They have not won in their last 13 games.
Bradford City moved up to second in the table with a 1-0 win at tenth-placed Bromley thanks to Bobby Pointon's goal.
Leaders Walsall were pegged back by a dramatic Cheltenham Town comeback. The Saddlers led 2-0 going into the closing stages thanks to strikes by Ellis Harrison and Albert Adomah.
But goals in added time by George Miller and Jordan Thomas forced a 2-2 draw for Cheltenham, who are 11th while Walsall's lead at the top is now seven points.
United's game at Barrow is the only fixture on Thursday. On Saturday, Tranmere host Port Vale and Morecambe go to Gillingham.
