Brentford U21 and League One side Leicester City both moved into the knockout stages of the Jersey Mike’s Trophy with vital victories.
The Bees had to beat the Football League’s basement side Crawley Town in their final fixture in Southern Group H to progress and did so courtesy of a Domeiro Bobb-Semple double in a 2-1 success at Broadfield Stadium, where Connor Wickham scored on his Crawley debut.
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In Southern Group B, the Foxes trailed at the King Power Stadium against League Two Walsall, who would have gone through in place of their hosts with a win. But strikes from Will Smallbone and John Lundstram put them ahead by the break and they held on.
Stevenage topped the group by beating Fulham U21 on penalties.
Chelsea U21 were not in action but went through at the expense of Reading, who needed a big win away against Bristol Rovers to see them overtake the west London side in Southern Group C, but the Royals were beaten on penalties.
Nottingham Forest U21 and Notts County both eased through into the last 16 with wins in Northern Group F.
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Forest enjoyed a 3-0 success against League Two promotion-chasers Grimsby Town at Blundell Park, where all the goals came before the break.
The Magpies moved into the knockout stages as group winners by beating League One Burton Albion by the same scoreline for a third win in three EFL Trophy games.
Domeiro Bobb-Semple (right) scored a goal in each half for the Bees youngsters [Getty Images]
In Southern Group F, Leyton Orient needed a big victory over Barnet to claim an unlikely second-placed finish on goal difference, but they were well beaten at The Hive, with Jack Maskell’s first-half strike setting the hosts on the way to a 4-2 win.
Oxford United coasted to a 4-0 win over Cheltenham Town to pip the Robins to the runners-up spot in Southern Group A.
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In Southern Group G, Gillingham made sure of their place in the last 16 by seeing off Northampton Town 2-1. The Gills only needed a point to be certain of finishing in second place above Brighton & Hove Albion U21, but Lamin Sillah scored one goal and made another to inspire his side to victory over their League Two rivals.
Seb Campbell crashed home a 99th-minute winner as Plymouth Argyle beat Swindon Town at Home Park to finish top of the pile in Southern Group E, while Colchester United beat Ipswich Town U21 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in Southern Group D, in a match where both sides knew their campaign had ended after their second fixture.
Elsewhere, a close-range shot by Tom Graves put Crewe Alexandra on track for the win they needed to progress from Northern Group B, but Wigan Athletic scored twice in the second half to dash their hopes, while veteran forward Nick Powell was among the scorers as Bradford City thumped York City 4-0 to top Northern Group C.
In a thriller in Northern Group D, already eliminated Mansfield Town looked set for their first points of the competition as they led already qualified Chesterfield 3-1 with 28 minutes remaining. But Dylan Duffy scored two of four goals in the closing stages to earn the Spireites a remarkable 5-3 victory.
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Stockport County beat Tranmere Rovers on penalties in Northern Group E, but both sides were already sure of qualification, while Huddersfield Town thumped Liverpool U21 4-0 to finish top of Northern Group H.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
