Plymouth ruined Paul Cook’s first match in charge of Accrington as they triumphed 4-0 at the Crown Ground on Saturday.

It was an embarrassing start to life in charge of Stanley for Cook, who arrived from Sligo Rovers earlier in the week. But the result saw the Pilgrims move four points clear of the drop zone with Coral and William Hill now offering 2/1 on Argyle suffering relegation.

Carl Fletcher’s side were quick out of the blocks with Alex MacDonald striking twice inside the first 24 minutes. Darren Purse added a third in the second half before Luke Daley put the icing on the cake in stoppage time to land Victor Chandler's odds of 18/5.

Fellow-strugglers Dagenham didn’t have such a profitable afternoon; they sit rock bottom after a home hammering and the hands of Cheltenham.

Luke Summerfield and the returning Steve Elliott scored in the early stages for the visitors before the Daggers had ‘keeper Chris Lewington sent off. The Robins took advantage of the extra man to seal a 5-0 success and stay level on points with leaders Southend.

Meanwhile, Torquay’s seven-match winning run came to an end as Bradford surprised the Gulls with a 2-1 win. The Bantams were a general 4/1 to taste victory in Devon, and significantly bigger than that after Danny Stevens gave the hosts an early lead.

But Craig Fagan and Kyel Reid swung the balance in City’s favour and they held out to claim three valuable points, moving seven clear of the drop zone.

Swindon and Shrewsbury duly leapfrogged United into third and fourth respectively after their one-goal triumphs at Hereford and Barnet.

With Crawley in FA Cup action, Paolo di Canio’s men remain favourites for the title, now 10/11 with Paddy Power. Southend, who saw off Crewe, are 10/1 with Skybet while the Shrews are 9s, Cheltenham 14s and Torquay a standout 22/1 with Bet365.

Elsewhere, Gary Simpson is feeling the pressure at Macclesfield as his side slumped to a seventh straight defeat. 7/4 Aldershot inflicted the latest blow, triumphing 1-0 at Moss Rose. Simpson is facing calls for his head with the Silkmen now six points from the relegation places and 4/1 for the drop.

Results: Accrington 0-4 Plymouth, Barnet 1-2 Shrewsbury, Bristol Rovers 0-0 Oxford, Burton 1-1 Rotherham, Dagenham 0-5 Cheltenham, Hereford 1-2 Swindon, Macclesfield 0-1 Aldershot, Port Vale 2-1 Gillingham, Southend 1-0 Crewe, Torquay 1-2 Bradford, Wimbledon 1-1 Morecambe