Keith Curle's Hartlepool United - visitors to Carlisle United next week - were one of the big winners in a heavily reduced League Two fixture list on Saturday.

Hartlepool enjoyed a 2-0 home win over relegation rivals Rochdale.

Three days before their trip to Brunton Park, ex-Blues boss Curle's side went ahead through Josh Umerah early in the second half before Jack Hamilton added another.

Rochdale - Carlisle's hosts next Saturday - had both Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Sam Graham sent off in the second half in a defeat which leaves Jim Bentley's side bottom of the table.

The Dale duo will now be suspended for next weekend's clash with the Blues.

Rochdale were leapfrogged by Hartlepool, who moved out of the drop zone into 22nd, and also Gillingham, who are now second bottom after a 2-0 win at Colchester United.

David Tutonda and January signing Tom Nichols earned a second consecutive win for Neil Harris's men, who have been one of the division's heaviest recruiters in the transfer window.

Colchester duly saw a three-game winning run end and they are now 19th.

In the promotion race, meanwhile, the top-two clash went the way of second-placed Stevenage, who thrashed leaders Leyton Orient 3-0.

Steve Evans' side moved to within two points of the Os thanks to early goals from Jamie Reid and Jordan Roberts plus a late Luke Norris clincher.

It was only a fourth defeat of the season for Orient, who had Idris El Mizouni sent off.

Those were the only three League Two fixtures to survive the freezing weather.

None of Carlisle United's closest rivals were in action, meaning the Blues remain fourth in the table.

As well as United's trip to Bradford City, the other games called off were Sutton United v Crawley Town, Grimsby Town v Harrogate Town, Walsall v Swindon Town, Doncaster Rovers v Tranmere Rovers, Crewe Alexandra v Stockport County, Barrow v Salford City, Newport County v AFC Wimbledon and Northampton Town v Mansfield Town.

Barrow have said they are making an "official complaint" over the decision of referee Sam Barrott to postpone their game against Salford.

The south Cumbrians had expected the game to be played on a "soft playing surface".

"The club can confirm that we have approached PGMOL and the EFL for a written statement to enquire as to why the game has been postponed, and to make an official complaint," a Barrow statement said.

"This decision was entirely out of the club's hands and we were both confident and keen for the game to be played."