Carlisle United's next opponents and relegation rivals Leyton Orient have sacked manager Kenny Jackett.

The Os, who host Carlisle on Saturday, acted after a 2-0 home defeat to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.

It was a fourth straight defeat for the east London club, who have taken just two points from ten games.

Jackett's assistant Joe Gallen has also left the club, who have yet to confirm who will be in caretaker charge ahead of United's visit.

Orient sit five points above the second-bottom Blues in 18th place after goals from Antony Evans and Aaron Collins for Bristol Rovers at the Breyer Group Stadium.

Some of United's other rivals in the relegation battle failed to put further distance between themselves and the Blues on the latest night of midweek action.

Fourth-bottom Colchester United gave themselves the chance of increasing the gap when they took the lead at home to Hartlepool United through Noah Chilvers.

But Pools staged a second-half comeback to win 2-1 through goals from Omar Bogle - set up by Carlisle-born Newcastle loanee Joe White - and Isaac Fletcher.

Colchester remain three points above Carlisle having played a game more.

Bottom outfit Scunthorpe United drew 0-0 with high-flying Northampton Town to move within five points of second-bottom Carlisle.

The Iron have played two games more than the Blues.

New Walsall boss Michael Flynn was brought back to earth with a bump by Swindon Town.

The 17th-placed Saddlers, who beat leaders Forest Green Rovers on Saturday, were thrashed 5-0 at the County Ground.

They remain seven points above United having played one game more, after Louie Barry (two), Ricky Aguiar (two) and Jonny Williams struck for Swindon, who go fifth.

Rochdale staged an injury-time fightback to pick up a 1-1 at home to Port Vale, James Ball cancelling out Ben Garrity's opener to move Dale up to 16th, above Walsall on goal difference.

Managerless Bradford City, meanwhile, suffered a third straight defeat as they went down 3-1 at home to Harrogate Town, Matty Foulds' Bantams opener overturned by Warren Burrell, Lewis Page and Jack Diamond.

Bradford are 15th, 12 points above United having played two games more.