Attention switched from League action to the potential for a run in the FA Cup as the First Round (proper) got under way this weekend.
Sheffield United managed to edge Bristol Rovers out at The Memorial Ground as the Blades sneaked through 2-1 against their League Two hosts, even though Clarkson gave Rovers a 5th minute lead. Blackman (53rd min) and Porter (62nd min) guided the Yorkshire side through.
Crawley Town managed to edge Met Police with a 2-1 win of their own after Simpson (36th min) and Clarke (69th min) gave the League One side a 2-goal cushion. The Met pulled one back in the 83rd minute to set up a tense final few minutes, but it wasn't to be.
Stevenage Borough are left to concentrate on the League as the high flyers were downed by Rotherham United at the New York Stadium. The Millers raced in to a 3-goal lead with goals from Bradley (30th min) and Frecklington (53rd and 56th min). Borough came back with strikes from Dunne (58th min) and Morais (72nd min), but it wasn't enough.
Doncaster Rovers made light work of Bradford PA at the Keepmoat. Woods (27th min) and Hume (36th min) gave Donny a 2-goal cushion before Marshall pulled one back for the non-leaguers. Brown sealed it with a 76th minute strike to guide Rovers through.
FA Cup Winners from just a few years ago, Portsmouth, fell at the first hurdle with Notts County taking their scalp. Zoko on the stroke of half time, and Arquin 11 minutes after the re-start guided County through at Fratton Park.
Swindon Town were embarrassed at home against Conference-side Macclesfield at The County Ground as the non-leaguers clocked up a 2-0 win through Diagne (63rd min) and a Thompson own goal in the 90th.
Franchise FC live to fight another day as they were held by Cambridge City in a 0-0 draw.
In another all-League One clash, Preston North End eased their way through with a comfortable 3-0 win over Yeovil Town at Deepdale. PNE were guided through courtesy of goals from Byrom (38th min), Amoo (41st min) and Robertson (70th min). The Glovers cause wasn't helped when Upson saw red in the 63rd minute.
Brentford edged Boreham Wood out with 2 goals from Donaldson (16th min) and Forrester (44th min) to book their place in the next round.
Much improved Colchester United were brought down to earth by Essex neighbours, Chelmsford City. Simmonds netted a brace for the non-leaguers with goals in the 23rd and 63rd minutes. Rose gave ColU a chance with a strike in the 70th minute only to see Slabber put the result beyond doubt with an 89th minute goal to give the side sitting pretty in 2nd place in Conference South a place in the second round.
Walsall left it late to claim a replay against Conference Lincoln City at Sincil Bank. Taylor had given the Imps the lead on the stroke of half time, but any thoughts of a notable scalp being taken were put on hold when Bowerman levelled for the Saddlers with 3 minutes left on the watch.
Carlisle United put their indifferent League form behind them for one week as they managed to see Ebbsfleet off at Brunton Park, with a decent 4-2 win. Symington gave the Cumbrians the lead on the stroke of half time, only to see Elder level matters just before the hour mark. Any thoughts of an upset were soon wiped when Noble restored the advantage for the Cumbrians in the 61st minute, with Berrett (81st min) and Garner (87th min) putting the result beyond doubt, leaving Howe the task of netting a 93rd minute consolation.
AFC Bournemouth cruised their way to the second round with a 4-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge at Dean Court. Goals from McQuoid (30th & 79th mins), Pugh (59th min) and Fogden (91st min) proved to be too much for the League Two visitors on the south coast.
Oldham Athletic managed to overcome a potentially tricky tie against Conference outfit Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough. Goals from Montano (52nd min) and Baxter (65th min) sealed the Latics place in the second round.
Crewe Alexandra managed to stroll past Wycombe Wanderers at Gresty Road, notching up a fine 4-1 win, even though Spring gave the League Two side the lead in the 13th minute. The Alex fought back to win with goals from Pogba (19th min), Ellis (40th min), Aneke (62nd min) and Murphy (77th min).
Shrewsbury Town were well and truely dumped out of the FA Cup at the hands on near neighbours, but Conference side Hereford United at Edgar Street. Evans (3rd min) and Bowman (12th min) gave the home side a dream start. Even though Summerfield pulled one back in the 30th minute, Bowman sealed the win with a 73rd minute penalty.
Coventry City found themselves in the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in well over 50 years when they came up against Southern League Arlesey Town at the Ricoh Arena. Goals from Ball (28th min), Christie (63rd min) and Jennings (89th min) guided the Sky Blues through.
Although it was League Two hosting League One, it was no great upset when table toppers Gillingham soundly saw off Scunthorpe United at Priestfield. Goals from Fish (59th min), Burton (65th min), Kedwell (76th min pen) and Birchall (93rd min) sealed the win for the Kent side.
Despite their terrible start to the season, Bury managed to sneak past Exeter City at Gigg Lane as a Sodje goal was enough to see them through.
The biggest scoreline of the day saw Hartlepool United unevenly share 7 goals with Chesterfield at the Proact Stadium. League One's bottom side couldn't cope with goals from Boden (16th min), Randall (29th min), Clay (42nd min), Forbes (54th min), Lester (79th min) and Westcarr (90th min). Sweeney netted a poor consolation for the League One strugglers in the 78th minute.
Of the remaining League One sides to play this weekend, Tranmere Rovers face the trip to Essex to face Braintree and Leyton Orient face the long trip to take on Gloucester City.
Although not League One, we wish our Dorset neighbours, Dorchester Town well against Plymouth Argyle in their televised game at The Avenue Stadium.
The draw for the second round is due to be made at approximately 1430 on Sunday afternoon.