Huddersfield Town got proceedings under way on Friday evening with a comprehensive 6-0 thumping of Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park. Gobern got the Terriers off the mark in the 19th minute, leaving goal-scoring machine Rhodes to do the rest with 5-goals in the 19th, 25th, 49th, 58th and 69th minutes. Wycombe Wanderers 22nd, Huddersfield Town 3rd.
Carlisle United eased their way to a 4-1 win over Leyton Orient at Brunton Park. Zoko (1st min), Robson (30th min), Taiwo (37th min), Berrett (73rd min) sealed the win before Cureton netted for the O's in the 85th minute. Carlisle United 6th, Leyton Orient 16th.
Brentford couldn't keep pace, dropping 2-points on their travels against Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park. Devaney gave the home side the lead in the 4th minute, with Alexander (22nd min) and Donaldson (32nd min) to turn the game on its head before the break. A Dean own goal in the 55th ensured a share of the points. Tranmere Rovers 17th, Brentford 8th.
Walsall will be kicking themselves for failing to claim all 3-points against AFC Bournemouth at Bescot. The Saddlers claimed a 2-goal first half cushion with Macken (15th min) and Butler (44th min) putting the home side in control. In the second period, Symes pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute, with Cherries legend, Fletcher levelling in the 93rd minute. Walsall 20th, AFC Bournemouth 9th.
Hartlepool United managed to claim just their 3rd home League win of the season as Rochdale were sent home pointless following a 2-0 home win. Brown (74th min) and James (80th min) netted the all important goals to arrest the home sides dreadful run at home. Hartlepool United 13th, Rochdale 23rd.
Chesterfield looked pretty doomed, even at this stage of the season, their cause not being helped with a 6th home defeat of the season as Exeter City won 2-0 at the b2Net Stadium. Logan (78th min) and Sercombe (87th min) secured the points for the Devon side as they edged clear of the drop-zone. Chesterfield 24th, Exeter City 18th.
Away from League action, there was also FA Cup Third Round action being played out as well, with a number of League One clubs in action.
All credit to Stevenage Borough for their cup upset - a 1-0 win over Championship Reading at the Mad Stad. Charles scored the only goal of the game in the 21st minute to see Borough through.
Credit to Notts County a well, who also won away against Championship opposition. Their 2-0 win at the Keepmoat against Doncaster Rovers came as Jeff Hughes netted a brace in the 37th and 70th minutes.
Sheffield United eased through against Salisbury City at Bramhall Lane with a 3-1 win over the non-Leaguers. Porter (18th min), Evans (60th min) and a Webb own goal (72nd min) put the game beyond Salisbury's reach, with Macklin netting a consolation with 4 minutes to go.
Franchise FC live to fight another day after a 1-1 draw against Premiership QPR at Stadium:Franchise. Bowditch gave the home side the lead in the 65th minute, with Helguson saving the Premiership strugglers blushes with a minute left on the clock.
Charlton Athletic came unstuck against Premiership Fulham at Craven Cottage as Dempsey (8th, 61st and 81st mins) netted a hat-trick, with Duff making it 4-0 in the 87th minute.
Oldham Athletic were well and truely beaten by Liverpool at Anfield as the Premiership boys ran away with a 5-1 win, that after Simpson gave the Latics the lead in the 28th minute. The visitors joy didn't last long as Bellamy equalised 2 minutes later, with further goals from Gerrard on the stroke of half time, plus Shelvey (68th min), Carroll (89th min) and Downing (95th min) sealed passage to the next round.
Sheffield Wednesday face West Ham United, at Hillsborough, on Sunday.
Bury (10th), Colchester United (12th), Preston North End (14th), Scunthorpe United (19th) and Yeovil Town (21st) were left without a game.