Sutton boss Matt Gray revealed he had predicted his side’s FA Cup clash with non-league AFC Fylde would be a game of two halves as they came from behind to seal a 2-1 win.

The U’s were staring down the barrel of being dumped out by non-league opposition for the second year running after Jon Uskabasi opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time.

However, Harry Smith’s quick-fire double in the second half sent Sutton through.

Gray said: “I sort of knew how the first half would go to be honest, because they were kicking down the hill with a wind behind them, which died down second half.

“AFC Fylde have got some good players, they’ve got some threats. I wasn’t pleased with some things of course, but I was desperate to get in at half-time with a clean sheet.

“I knew and I predicted we would be very dominant second half. I thought we were going to nick a bonus with a goal-mouth scramble and a couple of good chances.

“I felt they were the better side first half, they edged it. To get the goal and follow it up with the second very quickly was pleasing.

“I’ve managed many games here and I’ve seen games pan out exactly the way it did. The team talk was a refocus to the lads about what I wanted and I told them we didn’t need to go gung-ho to try and equalise.

“I knew Harry would have an impact second half and he was a real handful.

“I was frustrated because it’s a cup tie and they’ve got nothing to lose and they threw everything to take us to a replay, and I just wished we would have taken one of those chances to kill the game.”

Lancashire club Fylde have a strong record of qualifying for the main stages of the cup.

However, after failing to reach the second round for a fourth year running, boss Chris Beech said: “We exit the FA Cup, but I don’t think we deserved that in terms of effort and application.

“I was looking at the statistics and we went toe-to-toe with a League Two team. I thought we dealt with them really efficiently first half, probably better than they maybe thought we would.

“We got a position of control but they have big-game moments. They don’t have many, but they have the capability to dominate an opponent because they’re very physical, but there’s quality within that.

“The general play and how the game was we were comfortable, but there were two bits of quality within that from Sutton.

“We had a great chance to get them back to our place. To come away from home to London to a team in League Two; we’ve had 12 opportunities and only scored one.

“We’ve got to get better so we can create less and score more.”

Port Vale manager Andy Crosby was proud of his 10-man team after they earned an FA Cup first-round replay against fellow League One side Burton with a goalless draw.

Captain Nathan Smith was given a straight red card in the 18th minute after bringing down Mark Helm, but Burton failed to make their one-man advantage count.

Vale actually finished the game with nine men as Jason Lowe was withdrawn through injury and they’d already used their three substitution intervals.

The draw comes on the back of Crosby’s men booking their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday, but they’re currently on an eight-match winless run in League One.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of the group, the togetherness of the group,” Crosby said.

“We were the better team with 11 men, we were the better team with 10 men, we were the better team with nine men.

“We controlled possession, we controlled them out of possession, we controlled them with 10 men and we controlled the possession with 10 men.

“And I can’t tell you how together this group is, how much they care, how disappointed they’ve been with the run we’ve been on.

“But to go into that game and start the way we did and have the chances we did.

“And then to suffer the disappointment we did with the referee making the decision, to not feel sorry for ourselves, to keep going.

“They crawl off that pitch in a better place than when the game started.”

In a game not short on chances, Burton finally found the net in the dying moments through Josh Walker, but it was ruled out for offside against substitute Cole Stockton.

Albion boss Dino Maamria felt his team were blatantly denied a place in the second round, rather than missing a golden opportunity to go through.

“We scored a legitimate goal in the last minute of the game – it’s clearly onside,” he said.

“Watch it back. Diagonal ball from Jake Caprice, Ryan Sweeney’s in an onside position – he heads it down. Josh Walker’s in an onside position – he turned and volleyed it in brilliantly.

“But the offside got given on Cole Stockton at the near post with the ball nowhere near him.

“It’s a really, really frustrating decision to give, but in all honesty am I surprised by it?

“You see it when they got the sending off in the first half, every decision after that – the crowd, their bench – they’re on top of the referee, they’re on top of the linesman – he got abused throughout the game.

“I didn’t think they were strong enough to deal with that.

“And flagging that last decision there denied us going through.”

West Brom head coach Carlos Corberan was delighted with West Brom’s aggression in the Baggies’ 3-1 victory over fellow play-off contenders Hull.

Corberan’s side have now lost only one of their last 10 championship fixtures and the victory over Hull also carried on their excellent home record over Hull, with Albion now unbeaten in nine against the Tigers.

Captain Jed Wallace gave Albion the lead on 14 minutes before they were pegged back just before half-time by a Lewie Coyle strike.

Matt Phillips and substitute Semi Ajayi netted in the second half to give the hosts all three points.

Corberan believed his side played well against one of the Championship’s most competitive teams.

“I’m pleased because we were playing a very competitive game, I knew it would be because I respect Hull City; they have put together good players with a good coach,” Corberan said.

“We were playing against one of the most competitive teams in the Championship and it was a massive defensive display to see if we could be solid and aggressive at the same time.

“The team was solid and we only made one mistake and it was their goal.

“In the second half we were more aggressive and attacked better and that for me was why we scored the goals.

“The way we scored the second goal it was one of the nicest goals we scored and with this goal the belief of the players, the confidence of the players in the way they kept competing was for me excellent.”

The head coach was also delighted with the display of Grady Diangana, who assisted both goals in the second half.

“He is one special player; we are really pleased to see him scoring goals and giving assists because he is very important to the other players in attack,” Corberan said.

“The fact we have more injuries in attack has helped him get more minutes, with these minutes he’s using them very well.”

Hull head coach Liam Rosenior could not oversee a first win for his side at the Hawthorns since a 3-0 victory in the Premier League in 2008.

The Tigers dropped to ninth in the Championship and Rosenior was frustrated at the result.

“We were in complete control and we gift the goal away. We probably do that move 1,000 times in training to perfect it and we make a mistake and that’s on me because I’m asking the team to play this way,” Rosenior said.

“The reason we play this way is the next 50 minutes of the game, we were absolutely on top.

“To come here to a team with the players they have on the pitch and completely dominate possession and go toe-to-toe, we were the better team and to throw it away in the manner that we did is so frustrating.”

Rosenior said the club lost four players this week to injury and Aaron Connolly became unavailable despite being named on the bench.

“I wanted to change Aaron Connolly and get him on the pitch but when he’s warming up in the first half his toe completely swells up so he was available and then became unavailable during the game,” Rosenior explained.

“That’s why we say we need a squad because we are going to have these setbacks and it’s how we respond to them.”

Steven Schumacher praised the “outstanding” character of his Plymouth side as they fought back to draw 3-3 with Middlesbrough at Home Park.

Goals from Bali Mumba, Finn Azaz and Morgan Whittaker cancelled out efforts from Boro striker Josh Coburn (2) and Sam Greenwood.

The Argyle boss said: “If we play as well as we do then we’ve got to get points, so I’m pleased that we got a point today.”

“I thought it was a great game, two good teams who obviously like to attack.

“There were moments of quality and passages of good play from both sides.

“I felt we were really good first half. Even though we fell behind I thought we were playing well and probably deserved to go in ahead.

“Second half they came out and we couldn’t get the ball off them for 15 minutes and they’ve shown their quality and got themselves ahead.

“So, it was a really tough game, end to end, but the character of our players was outstanding and I’m really pleased to get something from the game because overall I would say a draw was a fair result.

“Since I have been in charge we have always said ‘try and be positive and get on the front foot’ and ‘try and enjoy the game and be exciting’.

“I know at times that can leave us open and I know at times we can defend better and make less errors.

“But we have also got to remember the players we have got and not many of them have played at this level, so they haven’t got the experience that Middlesbrough have got or loads of other Championship teams.

“We are getting better and we can only learn and develop, so that’s what I want them to do, what I believe and hopefully what our fans like to see.”

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick said: “We did enough to win the game. A lot of the performance was good, we didn’t give them an awful lot and what we did give them they punished us for.

“We were terrific in the second half and they had a free-kick that came from nowhere go in at the back post and it is what it is.

“We didn’t start particularly well but we looked dangerous and got the goal and put ourselves in a good position.

“We had a few minutes where we let them into the spaces we knew they wanted to be in and that was frustrating.

“Then the second half I thought we were terrific. The free-kick going in changed the last 10 minutes, so it is a bit frustrating.

“We appreciate all the effort the fans have gone to this week and to add the Norwich one on the back of that a week before, it’s an incredible two weeks of travelling and effort from them.

“We have given them a couple of wins, but this one we felt like we did enough.

“They have seen goals, application and effort from the boys, so there was enough to celebrate and it was nice to spend a few moments with them at the end and show them how much we appreciate them.”

Darren Ferguson was left to rue two individual errors that left his Peterborough side facing a replay away at Sky Bet League Two Salford following a 2-2 draw.

Posh goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic twice gifted the visitors the lead, in the fourth and 69th minutes, with errors before towering defender Emmanuel Fernandez snatched an equaliser in the 93rd minute after being sent on to play upfront.

“I’m frustrated we’ve got another game and a journey up to Salford,” Ferguson said.

“We’ve already got Wigan on Tuesday so I didn’t want a replay. I ran the risk of losing the game towards the end.

“We were defending with just two players and the rest were upfront but in many ways, you don’t want to lose a game so you’re better off being in the cup and having a replay but it’s definitely a result I didn’t want.”

Bilokapic first played a pass straight to Stephen Mallan on the edge of the box to bury into an empty net and then allowed Zak Sturge’s backpass to roll under his foot.

Ricky-Jade Jones had pulled Posh level just 25 seconds into the second half, scoring in three consecutive games for the first time in his career.

Ferguson added: “We know the reason why we drew, there’s no other way of looking at it, it’s two individual errors. I don’t think they’ve any real chances in the game.

“The mistakes were momentum killers because we started the game really well and were on the front foot.

“The second came from nowhere. Before that, everyone thinks we’re just going to go on and win the game, even them probably.”

After coming so close to an FA Cup upset, Salford boss Neil Wood was left disappointed that his side could not get over the line.

He said: “It’s tough, they’re a really strong team.

“They had to really load it up with the subs they brought on at the end.

“We did ever so well and we’re a bit disappointed in the moments leading up to the equaliser, we probably made some mistakes. It feels like a defeat.

“I have high expectations for us and it’s probably a bit of disappointment creeping in but we have to put it into context.

“They are a really good team at the top end of League One, who have some excellent players.

“We dealt with their attacking players quite well and to get ourselves back in front and to get  90 seconds away from seeing it out, without doing so, is disappointing.

“We played some good stuff ourselves and defended really well so there are some real positives to take from the game.”

Huddersfield manager Darren Moore praised the “massive team effort” as his side played out a 0-0 draw against Watford.

The Terriers had 11 squad regulars out through injury, but Sorba Thomas and Matty Pearson’s low strikes tested the gloves of Dan Bachmann, on an otherwise comfortable afternoon for the Hornet’s skipper at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Yaser Asprilla came closest for the visitors. Shortly into the second half, the Colombian international struck low and hard at goal, from a tight angle. A smart stop from Town’s Lee Nicholls tipped the ball around the post.

Jamal Lewis and Jeremy Ngakia both had promising shots blocked by the sturdy Town defence. This was the first draw in 17 meetings between the two sides.

After the rain-soaked game short of clear-cut opportunities, Moore said: “The main thing for me was the clean sheet today. We worked incredibly hard in getting that clean sheet and having that mentality.

“I know the goalkeeper and defenders will get the plaudits, but it was a massive team effort today to get the point.

“We had three solid sessions in training last week to implement our shape and really nullify Watford in the areas that we know they operate well in. The concentration levels were spot on today, as well as the drive from everybody. We showed a lot of desire to work for one another.

“What we saw in the last 24 hours. We lost two players in the immediate build-up to this game, so that’s why our bench was so sparse today. These were unforeseen circumstances that can happen in football, and we just have to get on with it.

“Credit to the players, the group adjusted really well and I’m really pleased for them, the way we worked collectively as a group.

“For the last 15 to 20 minutes it was the energy from the crowd that really spurred the boys on to show everything that they’ve got.”

Watford have now stretched their unbeaten run to five.

Head coach Valerien Ishmael said: “I told the players it’s nice to see we’re getting disappointed after not winning away. This shows real improvement from the team over the past few weeks.

“The game was difficult today. The game plan from Huddersfield was tough. I understand, they had many injured players and conceded eight goals in two games, the first task is to defend. And they did that well today.

“From our point of view, we were in complete control. We dominated the game and won our duels well. We defended set-pieces well.

“The problem today was our work in the final third. Our last passes, we needed to use the pitch better, and work the keeper more. We needed to believe in one-v-one situations and needed more quality in our crosses. It’s the first time we’ve faced a game plan like that, but it will help us improve in the future.

“Another clean sheet is a positive to take today. We want more of course, but five unbeaten now shows that we’re moving in the right direction.

“We need to learn from the game to find new solutions. We played too many square balls today so it would be nice if next time we can take a few more risks in the final third.”

Derek Adams hailed his Morecambe players as “giant killers” after beating League One Lincoln 2-1.

The fourth-tier Shrimps came from behind to reach the second round of the FA Cup at Sincil Bank.

Lasse Sorensen fired the hosts in front in the first half before Burnley loanee Michael Mellon levelled on the stroke of half-time.

Tom Bloxham, on loan from Shrewsbury, won the contest with his first goal for the club.

Adams said: “It’s all about the giant killing and we’ve come here and we’re the giant killers because they’re a big player in League One.

“We could have been out of sight by the end and then they hit the post. But we’re through and that’s what it’s all about.

“It was always going to be a tough draw away from home against a mid-table team in League One.

“But we’ve come here on their own patch and won the game, so we’re delighted.

“We could have probably scored more goals. Tom could have had a hat-trick. The keeper’s made a brilliant save and then he’s had one cleared off the line.

“The game had everything. We could have been out of sight at the end, but we weren’t and then they hit the post.

“But all that matters is getting through and thankfully we’ve done that. It was an incredible performance from the players.”

The managerless Imps limped out at the first hurdle of the historic cup competition for the second year running.

Interim boss Tom Shaw said: “We started really brightly and the game plan was having a huge effect. If we had been cleaner in the final third we could have been two or three goals up.

“The final pass just got away from us and teams like Morecambe are always going to be in a game with the spirit they have.

“But after a brilliant start we have given them hope with a goal just before the break and we lost a bit of control.

“I have to apologise to the fans for no cup run this year and it is a shame because we looked so good before the game turned round.

“I’m really disappointed, as are the players. It’s a difficult one to take for sure for us.”

Gillingham manager Stephen Clemence praised his side’s character as they overcame underdogs Hereford 2-0 to progress in the FA Cup.

Jayden Clarke’s deflected goal gave the League Two side a first-half lead before Tom Nichols’ late penalty sealed their passage into the second round.

“The boys have shown great character,” said Clemence. “I didn’t feel Hereford really opened us up, although there was pressure.

“I felt I learnt a lot today in circumstances which could have become difficult.

“The players with their character didn’t let that happen. They stood firm and I’m really pleased. The players have been fantastic with me.

“They know it’s my first time as a number one. I’ve had to do some things this week that I’ve never done.”

Clemence’s reign as Gillingham boss got off to a perfect start when Clarke’s 23rd-minute effort took a wicked deflection past goalkeeper Curtis Pond and into the net.

Paul Caddis’ side sensed an equaliser and almost found it in the second half but Ethan Freemantle fired wide twice.

However, with four minutes left on the clock Nichols hit Hereford on the break, running through on goal before being judged to have been clipped by goalkeeper Pond.

The experienced forward regained his composure to score from the penalty spot.

Hereford manager Caddis claimed the referee made the wrong decision over the late penalty.

“We’ve just had an apology for the (awarding of) the penalty,” said Caddis who was watching from the stands due to serving a one-match suspension.

“The referee has got it wrong. An EFL official and we’ve been let down. That’s not taking anything away from Gillingham. Over the course of the game they probably deserved to win.

“It’s difficult when you play against teams a level above you who are full-time. We’re a fit group, how fit we are I’m incredibly proud of as we only get four hours (of training) every week.

“I’m extremely proud of every player.”

Erol Bulut praised the progress of his Cardiff side despite being held to a goalless draw by Stoke.

The visiting Bluebirds dropped out of the Championship play-off fray after a frustrating afternoon in the Potteries.

Callum Robinson came the closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half as his deflected cutback ricocheted off the post.

And Ryan Wintle, who scored in the same fixture last season, nearly notched a late winner but was denied by Jack Bonham.

However, Cardiff still extended their unbeaten run to three games thanks to a third successive clean sheet, much to the pleasure of Bulut.

“I’m really happy with my players, they’ve made big progress,” said the Cardiff boss.

“It’s not easy for many players here when we remember the last two years with what’s happened and how we started pre-season and the first games.

“It’s not easy to change everything in a positive way. Right now we’ve done it but we need to continue in that way and keep believing in our target.

“We knew that it was going to be a tight game because Stoke have had three great wins against great teams.

“In the first half, we weren’t like what I expect from my team. The second half was so much better and in the end I’m happy with a point.

“We have to look forward and it’ll be good for us to keep our run of clean sheets.

“We had more shots on the goal and we were closer to scoring a goal than Stoke. We had enough chances to score but, in the end, we didn’t.

“Second half, we were much better in our offensive shape but the last pass was not good enough.

“We pressed them higher and got more chances in the second half. If we started like that, maybe the result would have been different.”

Despite three successive wins prior to the tie, Stoke were limited to a solitary shot on target.

However, boss Alex Neil was still encouraged as his resurgent side kept a third consecutive clean sheet of their own.

“A point was probably a fair result but obviously we wanted to win it,” said Neil.

“We played extremely well in the past three games and all our chances today came in the first half.

“We had two or three really good chances to score but unfortunately didn’t take any.

“If we take a chance then it becomes a different game, but then in the second half we played ourselves into trouble when we were trying to play.

“We were wasteful with the ball more than what we’ve been, and that’s the biggest thing I’ll take from the game.

“I put five different players on the pitch to try and influence the game and give us the impetus in the match, but they’re not an easy team to play against.

“The lads are despondent and disappointed but I’m happy with that return [of 10 points from four games].

“That’s the type of game last year that we’d have lost, where we didn’t take our opportunities and then it turns and we end up losing the game.

“If you can’t win, don’t lose. They didn’t deserve to win based on our chances in the first half and we didn’t deserve to win based on our second half.”

Ian Evatt described his first FA Cup managerial success as “strange but nice” as Bolton hammered home the 48-place difference between the League One club and their National League visitors Solihull Moors.

Evatt had lost five times in the competition with Bolton and previously as boss of Barrow.

But the visitors, who had skipper Jamey Osborne sent off in injury time, were swamped by the third tier’s third-placed side who scored through Ricardo Santos, Paris Maghoma, Will Forrester and Dion Charles. Top scorer Charles also had a penalty saved by Tommy Simkin.

“I am delighted the monkey is off my back,” said a relieved Evatt. “I can have a cup of tea now and enjoy Match of the Day for once.

“The message to the players was we didn’t want to be headline news. We didn’t want to feel embarrassed, we wanted to show everyone what we can do.”

Evatt, who last enjoyed success in the competition as a Chesterfield player in 2016, added: “It has been annoying because It’s not as though I have deliberately changed the team and not taken it seriously.

“I am fortunate I have had a lot of success early on as a manager: two promotions, a cup win (Papa John’s Trophy) and play-offs. But this has been one box I have not ticked.

“People talk about ‘the league is our bread and butter’ – that’s just nonsense, the players want to play football and want to win.

“We want to win consistently and if that’s in the FA Cup we will take it seriously.

“This game was all about attitude. We spoke how this game would show me where they are as a group, what their mindset is like. They showed me they are in a good place.”

Moors manager Andy Whing, booked by referee Scott Simpson in stoppage time for protesting at Osborne’s dismissal, said: “Bolton are a very good team. I was really impressed with them.

“It’s not as though they constantly carved us open. We were better than we have been in the last two or three weeks in terms of creating more chances.

“However, I am gutted. I don’t like losing football matches whether it’s against a Premier League side or against Biggleswade. But I am proud of the players at the same time.

“It’s a game of football you want to win but Bolton are some team, with a fantastic manager and coaching staff. Hopefully they go up this season.

“I thought we created some great chances, especially at 2-0, but they were straight at the goalkeeper.”

Newport manager Graham Coughlan praised his side for a “professional performance” as they beat Oldham 2-0 at Rodney Parade thanks to two goals from Shane McLoughlin to progress to the FA Cup second round.

The defender opened the scoring as he drilled into the bottom corner after 20 minutes and settled any late nerves with a second goal, a long-range piledriver, 10 minutes from time.

Coughlan is pleased to be in the hat for round two, but he admitted that it was not a game to live long in the memory for anyone other than McLoughlin.

“We got the job done,” said the Exiles boss. “We know how important the FA Cup to the history and tradition of this football club, not to mention the financial side of it.

“It’s probably best described as a good, solid, professional performance.”

Coughlan felt his side should have won more comfortably with Declan Drysdale going close on two occasions, Aaron Wildig seeing an effort cleared off the line and Omar Bogle failing to hit the target with several chances before McLoughlin settled the contest.

“I sound like a broken down record because we seem to have these conversations every week; we need to be more ruthless, more clinical in the final third,” said the Irishman.

“Nick Townsend pulled off two good saves for us as well. They tested us, they asked questions, and it was a tough afternoon.

“We’re really pleased to get through because Oldham are a good team with a good manager, and we’re happy with our afternoon’s work.”

Townsend denied Joe Nuttall with a superb save just before half-time and also prevented substitute Alex Reid from levelling on the hour, while James Norwood wasted an early chance after a poor back-pass from Scot Bennett.

Oldham boss Micky Mellon, taking charge of the Latics for only the fourth time, was disappointed by the quality of the match and by his side’s timid performance.

“We had an opportunity of trying to get a result in the FA Cup,” he said. “We’re a non-league team at the minute, but Newport weren’t going so great and it was an opportunity to show that fight and fire to try to get a result, but it was a very flat afternoon.

“There was little or no atmosphere, it was a bit dead. And we couldn’t string two passes together. We looked nervous, for some reason. I don’t know why, but we took too long to get going.

“We were lacking in qualities against a Football League club and we need to be better.

“We huffed and puffed a little bit in the second half, but, all in all, we went out with a whimper.”

New QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes said he will ‘never be happy’ with taking a point following his side’s 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Rotherham.

Ilias Chair produced a moment of magic to fire QPR in front but they were pegged back by substitute Georgie Kelly’s clinical finish.

QPR had great openings to win it late on but Rotherham held out for a point.

Spanish coach Cifuentes, who has replaced Gareth Ainsworth, said: “I will never be happy about a draw especially when we concede from a set-piece.

“There were positive things about our performance. We showed big commitment to compete well.

“We showed stability. We started the second half really well.

“I want to be very positive. There is quality in the squad. I think all the players played at a very good level.

“In the history of QPR, they want to play attacking football and on the ground.

“The build-up will be a part of that. We have technical capacity and good midfielders. Everybody has started from zero and we do not look back.

“It was a top goal from a top player. I am not surprised because he can do these things. He is a fantastic player in this division and my job is to get the best out of him.”

The best chances of the first half fell the way of the hosts with Jordan Hugill lashing over on the angle and Fred Onyedinma forcing Asmir Begovic into a diving stop.

QPR’s sole threat came courtesy of Chair but he twice fired off target after cutting in from the left flank.

Chair produced the first moment of real quality to put QPR ahead five minutes into the second half.

Again he was allowed to come in on to his right foot too easily and this time he hammered an effort into the top corner and beyond the reach of Viktor Johansson.

Rotherham responded strongly and after Cafu had come close with a header, they got level with 20 minutes left to play thanks to Kelly, who powered in at the back post from Cohen Bramall’s free-kick.

The home side were inches away from turning the game on its head but Hakeem Odoffin’s header rebounded off the woodwork.

But QPR were the ones pushing hardest at the end with Jimmy Dunne almost prodding in before substitute Charlie Kelman was somehow denied at close-range by Johansson.

Rotherham manager Matt Taylor was pleased to pick up a point.

He said: “I thought the game lacked quality for the first hour.

“The game was relatively level and on the back of last weekend I would have taken that given the fragility of the confidence of the squad.

“We have got fight. We just did not show it last Sunday (versus Sheffield Wednesday). I was pleased we were able to come out of it.

“No disrespect to QPR but they did not test our goalkeeper until the goal.

“We fell behind to their best player and probably the best player on the pitch. He has done that all his career and despite all that knowledge, we could not quite stop him.

“It was then a case of where we could get energy on the pitch without losing the structure.

“Haks (Odoffin) has had a good chance but there were good saves from Viktor at the end. They were big saves and he has done it time and time again.”

Stockport boss Dave Challinor hailed four-goal Kyle Wootton after the Hatters eased to a 5-1 win at home to Worksop.

County led at the break after Jay Rollins cancelled out Wootton’s opener. But the County forward hit his second just before half time and two more as the Northern Premier League side tired, Odin Bailey piling on more misery with Stockport’s fifth goal seven minutes from time.

“It’s great for Kyle,” said Challinor. “It’s a great achievement for him and a memory that will stick with him for a long time.

“He’s got a souvenir that all the players will sign as a reminder of today. To score a hat-trick at any level is great, to do it in the FA Cup is brilliant.

“It was comfortable enough in the end but we were a bit sloppy in the first half, I wasn’t overly happy with how we went about it, and I can understand it from some lads who haven’t played that much so it was a bit disjointed.

“The second half was much better and once we got that freedom you can see the levels that there are between the teams. We were able to introduce players who have been playing regularly from the bench and once they tired and we brought fresh quality on it really shows the difference.”

The win stretched Stockport’s unbeaten run to 12 matches in all competitions and Challinor admitted he would happily take the easiest draw for round two with an eye on a possible glamour tie in the third round.

“The aim for us coming in round one is the third round,” he added. “We managed to do that last year and didn’t get the big draw that everyone wanted but we openly hope for the lowest-ranked team at home to give us the best chance of getting into that third round.”

Tigers boss Craig Parry admitted the gulf in divisions told in the end but was proud of his part-time players’ efforts.

“I do feel hard done by with the 5-1 scoreline,” he said. “But I think we’d given that much in the first hour we were out on our legs and obviously the full-time lads are fit and strong and when that calibre of player comes off the bench, 2-1 can quickly turn into 5-1, and that’s what happened today.

“Going into half time I’m sure their manager would have been giving them a few home truths, I think at 1-1 we were well in the game but unfortunately we conceded just before half time.

“But even coming up to the 60th minute I don’t think they’d caused us too many problems. The changes made a difference, as you could see in the game. They had better quality and lads who were a lot fitter. Unfortunately, that’s the difference in levels.

“When Jay Rollins’ goal went in I thought it might have been on for us.

“I thought we were really frustrating them, they were a bit agitated but our goal probably calmed them down.

“They got up a head of steam again, we conceded at the wrong time and the game got taken away from us. I’m very proud of our performance though.”

Wycombe manager Matt Bloomfield expressed his relief after their 2-1 first-round FA Cup win at Bradford.

The Chairboys had been in control of the tie with a two-goal lead at half-time.

But the League Two side came back strongly after the break to make Wycombe battle hard for their win.

Bloomfield said: “We’re really pleased to be through because it was an uncomfortable afternoon, if I’m honest.

“I thought Bradford were fantastic in the work they did and the way they passed the ball. They created some good opportunities and I’ve got to be pleased with the way we defended our box.

“The amount of blocks we got in was fantastic. There’s loads to improve on in terms of our in-possession stuff but the majority of those boys have done five games in the last two weeks.

“I think it possibly showed. We looked a little bit leggy in the last half an hour so fair play to them for digging in and making sure we got the result.”

Killian Phillips, on loan from Crystal Palace, scored Wycombe’s opener before Sam Stubbs headed into his own net to extend the lead.

Bloomfield added: “KP had been due one because his performance levels have been really high recently. He’s been top for us with his energy, the way he gets us moving forward and the amount he puts into the game.”

Jamie Walker pulled one back for Bradford after 64 minutes as the home team piled on the pressure. Wycombe keeper Max Stryjek made saves from Walker, Andy Cook and Tyler Smith.

Bradford caretaker manager Mark Trueman said: “It was difficult because you’re going in at half-time 2-0 down thinking that we’ve not done a lot wrong.

“I felt the way we started the game was positive but obviously goals change games. We knew that we would always create chances and felt like we were always causing them a threat.

“We’re disappointed in the manner we’ve conceded the goals with individual errors. They happen with the threat that Wycombe have got.

“But I think we dominated for long periods in the second half and were a little bit unlucky not to get another goal.

“We knew if we scored quite early then it might give us a chance of forcing a draw at least. I’ve got to praise the players for their performance.

“They felt the second half was one of the better performances they’ve had all season. We’re disappointed but we can take a lot of positives from today.”

Bradford have been without a manager since Mark Hughes was sacked a month ago.

“The players have applied themselves in the right way,” added Trueman. “Yes, they could say they are a little unsettled but the performance levels didn’t really show that.”

Shaun Maloney says it is time that Wigan enjoyed another good FA Cup run following their 2-0 first-round win at Exeter.

In a match almost identical to the 2-0 win for Latics in League One just two weeks ago, Wigan won it with second-half goals from Thelo Aasgaard and Steven Sessegnon, despite Exeter dominating for long spells.

“It was a very good team performance,” Maloney said. “We changed it tactically in the second half. I didn’t think there were massive issues in the game, I just wanted to get our attacking players in the game more and in the end, it was an excellent performance.

“First half was very even, there wasn’t too much in it but at the same time, I didn’t feel we were really cutting through them when we had the ball.

“I felt we were a danger on the counter attack but I wanted more of the ball in the second half and once it got to 2-0, I was really happy with the way we saw out the game.

“This game meant a lot to us and it was a big win for us. We have a history in the cup. Everyone talks about 2013 but the following season, we made it to the semi-finals, lost on penalties, 2018 as a League One club, we beat a Pep (Guardiola) Man City team. Hopefully it’s our turn to make some memories but it is just one round.”

It was frustration for Exeter manager Gary Caldwell, though. His side have now lost eight of their last nine games and scored in only three of those matches.

“It’s really frustrating,” Caldwell said. “I thought we were better today than we were two weeks ago in terms of how we wanted to play and the chances we created.

“We created great opportunities to score, a brilliant opportunity second half for James (Scott) but didn’t score and the longer the game went on, they were always going to be a threat on the counter and we gifted them a goal. Then the game became really difficult.

“It is clear what is happening, it is clear what we need to improve on and it is hard work on the training ground and support for the players that will do that.

“It’s frustrating because when you lose games, confidence does get affected – that is only natural in football and in life, but the players have to stand up in those moments and keep believing in what we are doing, what was working before and keep doing that to get back into the game.

“I do agree that confidence is low at the minute, but we have to work hard on the training pitch to build that back up.”