Round Two of this season's Checkatrade Trophy is complete, with the midweek fixtures in early December rounding off 16 ties across the Northern and Southern Section.
Rochdale were the first team to make it to Round Three courtesy of last week's penalty shootout success over Doncaster Rovers, and they were joined by Portsmouth and Bury, who overcame Northampton Town and Walsall in respective Saturday lunchtime clashes.
The remaining 13 ties of a historic round, where the vast majority of games were available for UK fans to stream live on iFollow, took place across Tuesday and Wednesday, and delivered entertainment aplenty.
Last year's finalists Oxford United came from behind to beat Gillingham, with Alex Mowatt's effort sealing victory for the U's as they bid to reach the Wembley showpiece for the third time in succession.
Luton Town continued their fine goalscoring form, putting four past West Ham United U21, with teenage pair Aaron Jarvis and Kavan Cotter grabbing their first goals in professional football during the 4-0 rout.
Another young duo, 19-year-old Reeco Hackett-Fairchild and Karlan Ahearne-Grant, 20, fired Charlton Athletic to a 3-2 win over Swansea City U21, while Forest Green Rovers and Yeovil Town also advanced from the Southern Section on Tuesday night.
Lincoln City boss Danny Cowley spoke to the EFL about his desire to take Lincoln City all the way to Wembley, and the Imps moved a step closer, coming out on top in a five-goal thriller against League Two counterparts Accrington Stanley – Sean Raggett's second-half goal finally settling matters.
“Winning breeds winning” – Cowley targeting a piece of history
League One high-flyers Shrewsbury Town fought back from a goal down to defeat Port Vale, while two early Leicester City U21 goals helped see off the challenge of Scunthorpe United. George Thomas, who netted the Wembley winner in this competition for Coventry City last term, was the first of the Foxes' scorers.
Tope Obadeyi's third-minute effort was enough for Oldham Athletic to see off Bradford City, and Fleetwood Town eased past Chesterfield thanks to Jake Sowerby and a first professional goal for striker Alex Reid.
On Wednesday night, Blackpool booked their Round Three spot with shootout success against Mansfield Town.
The Stags extended the evening with Calum Butcher’s 88th-minute goal, but the hosts held their nerve to win 5-4 on penalties.
A Chelsea side packed with under-21 players saw off the challenge of Milton Keynes Dons — Michy Batshuayi scoring twice in a game which also saw England's U17 World Cup winner Callum Hudson-Odoi net his third of the tournament.
In the night’s other game, Gwion Edwards and Marcus Maddison helped Peterborough United to a 2-0 win over Southend United.
The Round Three draw will take place live on talkSPORT on Friday 8th December at 12:30pm.
Checkatrade Trophy: Round Two results
Tuesday 28th November
Northern Section
Rochdale 1-1 Doncaster Rovers (Rochdale win 5-4 on pens)
Saturday 2nd December
Northern Section
Walsall 1-2 Bury
Southern Section
Portsmouth 2-0 Northampton Town
Tuesday 5th December
Northern Section
Bradford City 0-1 Oldham Athletic
Fleetwood Town 2-0 Chesterfield
Lincoln City 3-2 Accrington Stanley
Port Vale 1-2 Shrewsbury Town
Scunthorpe United 1-2 Leicester City U21
Southern Section
Gillingham 1-2 Oxford United
Luton Town 4-0 West Ham United U21
Swansea City U21 2-3 Charlton Athletic
Swindon Town 0-1 Forest Green Rovers
Yeovil 2-0 AFC Wimbledon
Wednesday 6th December
Northern Section
Blackpool 1-1 Mansfield Town (Blackpool win 5-4 on pens)
Southern Section
Milton Keynes Dons 0-4 Chelsea U21
Peterborough United 2-0 Southend United