The Checkatrade Trophy continued on Tuesday evening, with no shortage of goals and impressive displays.

Newcastle United U21’s competition debut saw them get off to a winning start, turning in a mature performance to emerge 2-1 victors at Crewe Alexandra – Liam Smith and Luke Charman the scorers for the Magpies.

LUKE CHARMAN looks back at a "proud" night after #NUFC won 2-1 at @crewealexfc on their @CheckatradeTrpy debut.

👉🏽 https://t.co/Jo5cDrXZmX pic.twitter.com/5iGigEjnIc

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 30, 2017

Reading’s youngsters drew 2-2 at Colchester United, but the hosts – who had Academy product Eoin McKeown to thank for a late equaliser – earned the bonus point via the new ‘ABBA’ penalty shoot-out format.

Elsewhere, a crowd of just under 2,500 watched on at the One Call Stadium, where Lincoln City prevailed over Sky Bet League Two counterparts Mansfield Town, with former Stags duo Ollie Palmer and Matt Green among the goals for the Imps.

Debuts aplenty

Numerous players were given the opportunity to take their first steps for their respective clubs on Tuesday night, and there was the added bonus of a win for many of those.

From a results perspective, things couldn’t have got any better for Bristol Rovers’ Luke Russe, who came off the bench to make his professional debut in the emphatic 5-1 away success at Wycombe Wanderers.

PICTURE: Congratulations to @lukerussey on making his first-team debut in tonight's @CheckatradeTrpy fixture! #BristolRovers pic.twitter.com/RfeZI3tp9E

— Bristol Rovers (@Official_BRFC) August 29, 2017

There was also a maiden triumph for Scunthorpe United ‘keeper Rory Watson. The shot-stopper, who joined from Hull City last January, hadn’t appeared for the Iron up until last night, but he completed a full 90 minutes as Graham Alexander’s side ran out 3-1 winners over Sunderland U21.

Another to enjoy a successful start was 19-year-old Jordan Gibson. The Bradford City forward replaced Daniel Pybus, and got a taste of first team football for the Bantams in their 4-2 victory against Chesterfield.

Very happy to make my competitive debut for @officialbantams tonight. Grateful and blessed. Good win too. Onto the next target🙏🏽⚽️ pic.twitter.com/DjBri2Xf1b

— Jordan Gibson (@JLG27_) August 29, 2017

Goals galore

There were six or more goals in four of Tuesday’s fixtures, with the highest scoring affair coming at the Lamex Stadium, where Oxford United turned on the style to defeat Stevenage 6-2.

Pep Clotet’s men actually fell behind, but goals from James Henry, Rob Hall (2), Jonathan Obika, Joe Rothwell and Jack Payne capped an emphatic night’s work for the U’s, who also handed a debut to Shandon Baptiste.

Very good result & pleasing performance tonight. Not an easy game but the players were rewarded for their attitude and determination. #OUFC pic.twitter.com/J8K4xvABYs

— Pep Clotet (@pepclotet) August 29, 2017

The aforementioned Bristol Rovers and Bradford enjoyed successful trips on their travels, with Dominic Telford (2), Ryan Broom (2) and Liam Sercombe all getting in on the act as the Pirates eased past Wycombe.

The Bantams moved top of their group courtesy of goals from Omari Patrick, Jacob Hanson and an Alex Jones brace at the Proact Stadium.

There was a seven-goal thriller between Barnet and AFC Wimbledon at the Hive, where the Sky Bet League One side prevailed by a 4-3 scoreline.

Checkatrade Trophy results

Tuesday 29th August

North: Group A
Fleetwood Town 3-0 Leicester City U21
Morecambe 0-2 Carlisle United

North: Group B
Blackpool 1-1 Wigan Athletic (Wigan win 5-4 on penalties)

North: Group C
Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Stoke City U21

North: Group D
Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Newcastle United U21
Oldham Athletic 0-0 Port Vale (Port Vale win 4-2 on penalties)

North: Group E
Coventry City 2-3 Shrewsbury Town

North: Group F
Chesterfield 2-4 Bradford City

North: Group G
Mansfield Town 1-3 Lincoln City

North: Group H
Grimsby Town 1-1 Doncaster Rovers (Doncaster win 4-3 on penalties)
Scunthorpe United 3-1 Sunderland U21

South: Group A
Crawley Town 0-2 Charlton Athletic

South: Group B
Colchester United 2-2 Reading U21 (Colchester win 6-5 on penalties)
Gillingham 2-1 Southend United

South: Group C
Wycombe Wanderers 1-5 Bristol Rovers

South: Group D
Exeter City 1-3 Yeovil Town

South: Group E
Forest Green Rovers 2-0 Newport County

South: Group F
Barnet 3-4 AFC Wimbledon

South: Group G
Milton Keynes Dons 2-0 Brighton and Hove Albion U21
Stevenage 2-6 Oxford United

South: Group H
Northampton Town 1-1 Cambridge United (Northampton win 5-4 on penalties)
Peterborough United 2-0 Southampton U21