Stockport County missed the chance to go level on points with Carlisle United in the first of three promotion showdowns in League Two this weekend.

The Hatters were held to a 1-1 draw by fellow high-fliers Salford City in the Friday night clash.

Dave Challinor's side took a sixth-minute lead through Connor Evans' first goal for the club.

But Neil Wood's visitors fought back for a point at Edgeley Park thanks to Callum Hendry's goal early in the second half.

Stockport were unable to find a late winner despite the second-half introduction of ex-Carlisle striker Jack Stretton from the bench.

The result leaves them fifth, two points behind Carlisle having now played a game more.

Salford are one place and one point further behind in sixth.

The game came ahead of two more big contests at the top of League Two on Saturday.

Fourth-placed United go to leaders Leyton Orient, while second-placed Northampton Town host third-placed Stevenage.

A win for the Blues would guarantee them a place back in the automatic promotion places.

A point would also be enough to go up to third should Northampton beat Steve Evans' side.

But defeat for Paul Simpson's Blues coupled with a Stevenage win would leave them three points adrift of the top three.

Another club hoping to make inroads at the top end of the table, seventh-placed Bradford City, are at home to 15th-placed Grimsby Town in a 1pm kick-off.

The Bantams are five points behind Carlisle with a game in hand, and six outside the automatic laces.