Walsall and Birmingham among EFL Trophy winners

Posted by Admin December 10, 2024 Football

Walsall’s Danny Johnson scored deep into stoppage against Reading to salvage their EFL Trophy tie [Rex Features]

Walsall scored a dramatic 97th-minute equaliser before beating nine-man Reading on penalties to make it through to the EFL Trophy last-16.

The Saddlers fell behind to Tyler Sackey’s second-half effort for the Royals who saw both goalkeeper David Button and defender Ashqar Ahmed sent off.

But the League Two hosts levelled things up with almost the last kick of the game through Danny Johnson.

Goalkeeper Sam Hornby then saved two of Reading’s spot-kicks to help Walsall win the shootout 4-2 and progress from the round of 32 in the Vertu Trophy, recently renamed from the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

Bradford City also overcame opposition from a division above by edging past Stockport County 3-2 in an entertaining game at Edgeley Park.

Callum Kavanagh scored twice and Andy Cook netted for The Bantams to cancel out goals from Oliver Norwood and Odin Bailey for County.

In other victories for League Two sides against League One opponents, Chesterfield won 3-2 against Wigan Athletic, while Cheltenham Town beat Cambridge United 2-1.

Ten-man Swindon Town were 2-0 winners at high-flying Wycombe Wanderers thanks to goals from Kabongo Tshimanga and Billy Kirkman, who was only recalled from a loan spell with National League side Weston-super-Mare on Monday.

Morecambe did not pull off any heroics, losing 1-0 at home to Lincoln City, and neither did Tranmere Rovers as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at Rotherham United. And in Wales, Wrexham won 1-0 against Crewe Alexandra.

Stevenage cruised through after thrashing strugglers Burton Albion 4-0 away from home in one of four all League One encounters on Tuesday night.

Leyton Orient scored twice in stoppage time through Charlie Kelman and Dan Agyei to sink Charlton Athletic at The Valley.

Bolton celebrate scoring against Huddersfield — An Aaron Collins double and goal from Klaidi Lolos helped Bolton beat Huddersfield [Rex Features]

Bolton Wanderers eased to a 3-1 victory at home to Huddersfield Town, while Birmingham City won 2-1 at Exeter City.

In the all-League Two encounters, Rekeem Harper scored in the 92nd minute to help Port Vale beat fellow promotion-chasers Doncaster Rovers, while Lyle Taylor was on target twice for Colchester United in their 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.

Blackpool host Aston Villa Under-21s and Peterborough welcome Northampton in the remaining two last-32 fixtures on Tuesday 17 December.

The draw for the last-16 is on Saturday at lunchtime.