A Jonathon Margetts-inspired comeback for Hull City against Scunthorpe United was the highlight of a busy week of action, with 10 Final Third Development League and Cup games taking place.
Final Third Development League - East DivisionEast Division leaders Hull launched a superb fightback to defeat Scunthorpe on Tuesday afternoon.
The Iron were looking strong thanks to first-half goals from Jack Dyche and Noel Burdett, but the prolific Jonathon Margetts hit back with three of his own in the second period - his third successive hat-trick in the competition - handing the Tigers a 3-2 win.
Doncaster remained in touch with Hull towards the top of the table, but they had to hold off a late Mansfield charge for a 3-2 win of their own.
Lewis Ferguson and Joseph Pugh fired Rovers into a 2-0 half-time lead, and they extended their advantage through Alex Head early in the second period. A Matt Rhead penalty and a Billy Bingham effort made it a nervy ending, but the hosts held on.
Elsewhere, Hartlepool United defeated north-east rivals Gateshead, with Justin Laird grabbing the only goal of the game, and Burton Albion and Rotherham shared the spoils on Monday afternoon.
Jordan Bowery had put the Millers in front, but the hosts fought back courtesy of a Marcus Harness strike.
Final Third Development League - West Division
Wigan Athletic were the big winners this week, easing to a 4-0 win at home to Shrewsbury Town.
The game was all but over after 20 minutes, with the Latics racing into a three-goal lead. Martyn Waghorn, Leon Barnett and Louis Robles did the early damage, and the win was capped off in the dying minutes when Tim Chow tapped in.
Port Vale kept up the pressure on Wigan with a 2-1 win against Tranmere Rovers. The Valiants went behind to a Tolani Omotola goal, but Ryan Lloyd’s penalty squared things up before Brian Barton sealed the points.
Morecambe grabbed three points at Walsall, a result which saw them leapfrog the Saddlers in the division. Alex Kenyon and Josh Bowden were on target for the Shrimps.
Final Third Development League - South Division
League leaders Luton slipped to their second defeat of the campaign, at home to Cambridge on Tuesday.
Sullay Kaikai put the visitors in front, before Dominic Ball’s comical own goal brought the sides level. However, the U’s restored their lead through James Akintunde, and saw the game out to win 2-1.
Second-placed AFC Wimbledon also lost this week, coming unstuck at Peterborough United.
Harry Beautyman slid the hosts 1-0 up and Harry Anderson extended the lead with two goals to complete a comfortable 3-0 win for the Posh.
Final Third Development Cup – South Group B
Plymouth Argyle recorded a 3-1 victory at Bristol City, leaving them needing just a point to ensure qualification for the knock-out stages of the Cup.
The Robins went ahead from the penalty spot, but Jason Banton levelled before half-time after reacting quickest to a rebound. Ryan Brunt gave then the visitors the lead, and Banton bagged his second of the game 15 minutes from time to round off the win.
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