The Checkatrade Trophy group stages reached their conclusion with plenty of midweek drama unfolding.
Northern Group A delivered in spectacular style, with Blackpool’s penalty shoot-out win over Everton U21 sealing their place in Round Two. Cheltenham and Bolton seemed set for the same fate, but Amari Morgan-Smith’s late goal sent the Robins through.Wolves U21 and Chesterfield eased through in Group B, Mansfield secured a thrilling 3-2 win over Derby U21 to book their place in Round Two, while Scunthorpe and Walsall advanced in the Northern Section with perfect records.
In the Southern Section, Swansea U21 beat Plymouth in the battle to join AFC Wimbledon in the second round, Oxford equalised in the last minute against Chelsea to take them through, and Norwich and Millwall made it three wins from three with routine victories.
It was goals galore on Wednesday night with the ball hitting the back of the net 35 times across eight fixtures.
Carlisle, Sheffield United, Coventry and Southampton U21 all notched four goals in victories, while Morecambe scored three to beat Bradford 3-2.
Rochdale and Sunderland U21 were 2-1 winners, and Yeovil were 2-0 victors against Reading's youngsters.
Checkatrade Trophy: Matchday 3 results
Tuesday 8th November 2016
Northern Group A
Cheltenham Town 1-0 Bolton Wanderers
Everton U21 1-1 Blackpool (Blackpool win bonus point penalty shoot-out)
Northern Group B
Crewe Alexandra 0-2 Chesterfield
Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 4-0 Accrington Stanley
Northern Group C
Stoke City U21 1-1 Bury (Stoke win bonus point penalty shoot-out)
Northern Group D
Blackburn Rovers U21 2-2 Oldham Athletic (Oldham win bonus point penalty shoot-out)
Northern Group E
Doncaster Rovers 0-0 Port Vale (Port Vale win bonus point penalty shoot-out)
Derby County U21 2-3 Mansfield Town
Northern Group G
Cambridge United 0-2 Scunthorpe United
Middlesbrough 0-3 Shrewsbury Town
Northern Group H
Leicester City 0-1 Walsall
Southern Group A
Portsmouth 1-0 Bristol Rovers
Southern Group B
Newport County 2-0 AFC Wimbledon
Swansea City U21 2-0 Plymouth Argyle
Southern Group C
Exeter City 1-1 Swindon Town (Swindon win bonus point penalty shoot-out)
Chelsea U21 1-1 Oxford United (Chelsea win bonus point penalty shoot-out)
Southern Group D
Northampton Town 1-1 West Ham United U21 (West Ham win bonus point penalty shoot-out)
Southern Group E
Colchester United 1-1 Charlton Athletic (Colchester win bonus point penalty shoot-out)
Southern Group F
Barnet 1-2 Peterborough United
Norwich City U21 4-1 Milton Keynes Dons
Southern Group G
Stevenage 4-0 Southend United
Brighton & Hove Albion U21 1-0 Leyton Orient
Southern Group H
Luton Town 1-3 Millwall
West Bromwich Albion U21 0-2 Gillingham
Wednesday 9th November 2016
Northern Group C
Morecambe 3-2 Bradford City
Northern Group D
Carlisle United 4-2 Fleetwood Town
Northern Group F
Hartlepool United 1-2 Rochdale
Sunderland U21 2-1 Notts County
Northern Group H
Grimsby Town 2-4 Sheffield United
Southern Group A
Reading U21 0-2 Yeovil Town
Southern Group D
Wycombe Wanderers 2-4 Coventry City
Southern Group E
Southampton U21 4-0 Crawley Town