Live Commentary: FA Cup third round - as it happened

Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for on of the red-letter days in the English football calendar - the FA Cup third round! This stage of the competition always promises action, upsets and goals, so we should be in for an entertaining afternoon here today.

The first thing to note is that Bournemouth's match against Burton Albion has been postponed this afternoon. That was a late call only confirmed around 10 minutes ago, which is a big blow for the travelling fans.

Three of those 21 matches are all-Premier League ties, and we will be keeping a particularly close eye on events at the Hawthorns, St James' Park and Carrow Road. The best bit about the FA Cup third round, however, is the involvement of non-league teams, who only have this opportunity to mix with the big boys of English football.

There are three non-league teams in show this afternoon, and all of them have the considerable advantage of playing at home. Kidderminster host Peterborough, Macclesfield will entertain Sheffield Wednesday and Grimsby face Huddersfield. Non-league grounds are notoriously hard places to go to in the FA Cup, so each of those sides will dream of reaching the next round this afternoon.

Macclesfield have a decent chance of pulling off an upset against a Wednesday side who will be more focused on a relegation battle in the Championship. Plenty of position separate them, but the Conference side have won five of their last six games while Wednesday have struggled all season.

Grimsby also have a chance to fly the non-league flag in the fourth round as they host Huddersfield. Grimsby are in fine form having lost just one of their last 16 matches, while Huddersfield have won just once in their last six, leaving them 13th in the Championship. Once more, a lot of positions separate them, but the FA Cup is always a great equaliser.

Non-league involvement aside, there are plenty of fixtures to get excited about this afternoon. Let's take a look at some of the best the FA Cup has to offer from today's 3pm kickoffs.

WEST BROM VS. CRYSTAL PALACE: The first of our all-Premier League ties sees struggling Palace travel to the Hawthorns to take on West Brom. The Baggies haven't had a great time of things recently, winning just one of their last 10 matches, but that victory did come in their last outing against high-flying Newcastle.

Palace, on the other hand, have experienced an upturn in fortunes since the arrival of Tony Pulis. They would have been odds-on favourites fore the drop earlier in the season, but they seem a lot more capable of picking up points nowadays. It is entirely possible that Pulis will view the FA Cup as an unwelcome distraction from the Premier League survival race, but that is not to say this match is a foregone conclusion. Palace have won one, drawn one and lost three of their last five, with their last outing resulting in a 1-1 draw with Norwich.

I don't think Pulis, being the type of guy he is, will disrespect the FA Cup. However, his priority is certainly to keep his team in the Premier League this season. As such, I think West Brom should be able to grab a win this afternoon, so I'll go for 2-0 to the Baggies.

NEWCASTLE VS. CARDIFF: The Magpies will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat to West Brom in their last outing - just their second loss in their last six games. Alan Pardew's side are doing well in the league this season and, without the Europa League to distract them this time around, could fancy a real run in the FA Cup. I can see them going quite far in this competition.

Cardiff, meanwhile, have Ole Gunnar Solksjaer in their dugout for the first time as they look to put a turbulent few weeks behind them. Solksjaer will know all about the FA Cup from his Manchester United days, and will be particularly keen to start off with a victory today. To do so, however, he will need to improve their recent form, which has seen them win just once in their last 10 games.

How this match goes could well depend on how Cardiff respond to a new manager. It can work wonders at times, giving the team the impetus to raise their performance level and go on a fine run of form. However, I think Newcastle will just have too much for Solksjaer's side today, so I'm going for a 2-1 win to the hosts.

NORWICH VS. FULHAM: The third and final all-Premier League fixture sees two evenly-matched teams going head to head at Carrow Road. The Canaries have not won in their last five matches, with their last outing ending in a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace. They now sit 15th in the Premier League table, just one place above Fulham.

Fulham actually beat Norwich here on Boxing Day, so they will be very confident going into today's match. Many of the personnel may be different due to it being a cup match, but as a club they know they can win here, which gives them a huge boost. They will also be riding high on the confidence given to them by their improved form of late. They have won three of their last six games, a string of results that has seen them move out of the relegation zone.

This is quite a tough one to call. The home side are out of form and have not won in their last three games at Carrow Road, while the visitors are in much better form and have won here recently. I think these two will cancel each other out today, so I'm going to go for a 1-1 draw.

STOKE VS. LEICESTER: Next season, this could well be a Premier League tie, and it makes for a very intriguing match this afternoon. The hosts are currently 12th in the top flight but have won just one of their last six matches. Their last outing, however, was a good draw against high-flying Everton on New Year's Day.

The visitors, meanwhile, are top of the Championship and have won their last four matches in a row, putting them in pole position for automatic promotion this season. The last of those wins came against Millwall, who they dispatched 3-1, and the Foxes are certainly flying high at the moment. They will fancy their chances of pulling off an upset this afternoon.

They may be in different divisions, but I think this match will be pretty even. Leicester have been impressive in the Championship this season, while Stoke have been very good at times and questionable at others. It may depend on which Stoke turns up, but I'm going to go for a draw in this one.

Before we go any further, let me just tell you that the first of the third round fixtures has just finished, and already we have had something of a 'cupset'. Blackburn Rovers have held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park, with the visitors being reduced to 10 men in the closing stages. They will now have a replay at the Etihad, although that may not necessarily be a good thing for Blackburn!

SOUTHAMPTON VS. BURNLEY: This is another match similar to the Stoke one. Southampton made a superb start to the Premier League season but have since dropped off the pace a little and now sit ninth in the table. Their last outing saw them comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Chelsea at home, so they will be looking to atone for that in front of their own fans this afternoon.

Burnley, meanwhile, sit second in the Championship and are very well-placed to gain promotion to the top flight next season. They have lost just one of their last seven games and won in their last appearance, beating Huddersfield 3-2. This afternoon will be a chance to show that they can compete with Premier League sides as they hope to be doing week after week next season.

Burnley will fancy their chances in this match given Southampton's last outing at home but, to be honest, I don't see the visitors winning this one. They could well come away with a draw, but Southampton will have a point to prove and, if I was pushed into calling a winner, it'd have to be the hosts.

EVERTON VS. QPR: This is another intriguing Premier League vs. Championship encounter, as high-flying teams from both leagues go head to head. Everton had a fabulous record at Goodison Park in 2013, but it stuttered just a little at the end and they missed out on going a calendar year unbeaten at home in the league in their penultimate match. They are currently fifth in the Premier League but still right in the chase for a Champions League spot.

QPR, meanwhile, are third in the Championship and still have high hopes of making an immediate return to the Premier League. Their main problem this season has been scoring goals, which in turn has had an impact on the consistency of their results. They have won three, drawn two and lost two of their last seven matches, although their last outing was a 2-1 win over Doncaster.

You'd have to fancy Everton for this match today. They have a very impressive defensive record, while QPR have struggled for goals this season. The Toffees are also formidable at home so, while QPR could well be meeting Everton in the top flight next season, today's match looks like coming too soon for them to get a result. I'll go for 2-0 Everton.

Those are the six matches that promise most on paper, but the beauty of the FA Cup lies in the less glamorous sides making the headlines. I am expecting plenty of action from elsewhere this afternoon and would not be at all surprised if the likes of Kidderminster, Grimsby and Macclesfield stole the show ahead of those matches I have just outlined.

There is plenty of scope for upsets this afternoon. Barnsley from the Championship host Coventry from League One in a match that could well see an away victory. Leyton Orient will certainly fancy their chances against Yeovil, while League Two's Southend will eye their fixture at home to Millwall as a real candidate for an shock.

In addition to this coverage of the third round as a whole, we have a few options for you if you want to follow matches in more depth. You can see live commentary of Rochdale vs. Leeds, Grimsby vs. Huddersfield and Macclesfield vs. Sheffield Wednesday with us. I'm expecting at least one upset from that trio of matches, so they could well be worth following!

As we near kickoff around the country, it is worth reminding you that Blackburn have already held Manchester City to a draw at Ewood Park today. Later, there is a mouth-watering North London derby as Arsenal host Spurs, while there are plenty more fixtures tomorrow as well.

KICKOFFS: Here we go then! Norwich and Fulham are the first to get us underway, and they are promptly followed by a host of others as the main bulk of the FA Cup third round fixtures begin.

Norwich have started the better in their match against Fulham, with Murphy curling an early efforts over the crossbar from 22 yards after seeing Fox's shot blocked.

Huddersfield have immediately gone on the attack against Grimsby at Blundell Park, and the hosts have their keeper to thank for still being level. He denied a Paterson effort after just 20 seconds to keep things at 0-0 for the non-league side.

Davide Santon has had the first shot of the match at St James' Park, but he flashed his effort well wide of the post. It remains goalless in all of the FA Cup 3pm kickoffs so far, while there has been a slight delay in the Everton vs. QPR match getting started. All the other games are well underway.

That delay to kickoff in the Everton match is due to crowd congestion in the surrounding streets. The start of the match has been put back 10 minutes, so it should be getting started soon enough.

The first goal of the afternoon goes the way of Hull, who have taken the lead against Middlesbrough courtesy of an Aaron McClean strike.

Bolton take the lead in their all-Championship match against Blackpool courtesy of a David N'Gog strike. The former Liverpool man found space on the edge of the area and fired his effort right into the top corner. Elsewhere, Yeovil have broken the deadlock at Huish Park thanks to James Hayter. Duffy nodded a free kick back across goal and Hayter was waiting there to head it home.

Big goal for Stoke in a match that is by no means going to be an easy one for them. Kenwyne Jones is the man who scored it, giving the Potters a 1-0 lead over their Championship opponents with a fine header from an Assaidi cross.

Everton are now, of course, underway in their delayed kickoff against QPR. Elsewhere, Cardiff are beginning to dominate at St James' Park and Elmander has come close for Norwich against Fulham.

We could have an upset in the making! League One side Sheffield United have taken the lead against Aston Villa, albeit via a stroke of luck. It was a deflected shot from Jamie Murphy that Jed Steer couldn't keep out. Wigan have also taken the lead against MK Dons thanks to a powerful finish from Roger Espinoza.

Here come the goals! Palace take the lead against West Brom thanks to Dwight Gayle's effort, while Barry Corr has nodded Southend into the lead against Millwall to put the hosts on the verge of a shock there. O'Brien got on the end of M'voto's ball to give Barnsley the lead against Coventry and finally Southampton are 1-0 up against Burnley courtesy of a Nathaniel Clyne goal - just his second for the Saints.

The goals just keep on coming! Wednesday have the lead against non-league Macclesfield thanks to Johnson's header, while another non-league side - Grimsby - are faring a little better. They have taken the lead against Huddersfield through Ross Hannah and are on course for a memorable upset. Wigan have also doubled their lead over MK Dons courtesy of a Jordi Gomez strike from inside the area.

Southampton get a second in quick succession, this time through Rickie Lambert, who picked up the ball 20 yards from goal and slammed it past Heaton and into the top corner. Brighton have also broken the deadlock in their all-Championship match against Reading. Agustien and Barnes combined to set up Crofts, whose shot deflected off Pearce and past Federici.

Newcastle have come within inches of breaking the deadlock in their match against Cardiff, with Hatem Ben Arfa hitting the post from 25 yards. It is end-to-end stuff at St James' Park at the moment.

Sheffield Wednesday, meanwhile, could well be 2-0 up if it wasn't for an incredible save by Macclesfield's keeper to keep the non-league side in the match. In the match between Rochdale vs. Leeds, Smith has had a header from Pugh's cross cleared off the line, which is the closest we have come to a goal there.

Ipswich have taken the lead in their match against Preston. The hosts were awarded a penalty for a handball by Kevin Davies and, while McGoldrick missed the initial spot kick, he followed in to tuck away the rebound. Fulham have also broken the deadlock at Carrow Road, Darren Bent nodding home with just over five minutes to go until half time.

They say that anything can happen in the FA Cup, and in Southend an unusual event has just occurred. The match has been stopped due to a floodlight failure, with one light initially going off before all of them went out. The fans all held up their phones to jokingly provide light, but the referee has stopped the game.

Preston have responded immediately at Portman Road, and it is redemption for Kevin Davies. Just minutes after giving away a penalty, the striker scores at the other end, rolling the ball past Loach and into the net.

Ross Barkley has broken the deadlock at Goodison Park with a fine finish after cutting in from the left. Norwich have hit straight back to equalise against Fulham as Josh Murphy drilled a cross into the box that Robert Snodgrass stooped to head home. Blackpool have also equalised against Bolton thanks to Tom Barkhuizen's strike that initially looked to have been ruled out before the ref decided to give it.

Wow, well there really is only one place to start with that latest flurry of goals. What comeback from MK Dons, who scored in the 45th minute and then the second minute of first-half stoppage to overturn a two-goal deficit and go into the break against Wigan tied at 2-2. It was Ben Reeves who got both goals for the Dons, converting from close range twice in quick succession. Rochdale have also taken a surprise lead against Leeds just before the break, Scott Hogan nodding past Paddy Kenny to give the League Two side the advantage at the break.

HALF TIMES: The half-time whistle has gone in the majority of the matches here, with just Everton's game against QPR and Southend's against Millwall still going on. The former was delayed for 10 minutes, while the latter was interrupted by floodlight failure but is now back underway.

He doesn't score too often nowadays, but Nikica Jelavic has doubled Everton's lead against QPR. The striker won the ball from Henry 25 yards from goal, took a touch and fired it left-footed into the net. That will do him the world of good in terms of confidence.

It is now half time in that Everton match as well. The only game still going on is Southend vs. Millwall, which is just under 10 minutes from reaching the break due to a floodlight failure at the ground. Here is a roundup of all the scores in the 3pm kickoffs so far...

HALF TIME SCORES (1/2): Aston Villa 0-1 Sheffield United; Barnsley 1-0 Coventry; Bolton 1-1 Blackpool; Brighton 1-0 Reading; Bristol City 0-0 Watford; Yeovil 1-0 Leyton Orient; Wigan 2-2 MK Dons; Doncaster 0-0 Stevenage; Everon 2-0 QPR; Grimsby 1-0 Huddersfield; Ipswich 1-1 Preston...

HALF TIME SCORES (2/2): Kidderminster 0-0 Peterborough; Macclesfield 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday; Middlesbrough 0-1 Hull; Newcastle 0-0 Cardiff; Norwich 1-1 Fulham; Rochdale 1-0 Leeds; Southampton 2-0 Burnley; Stoke 1-0 Leicester; West Brom 0-1 Crystal Palace.

We're beginning to see matches kick off for the second half, and it won't be long until all of the games are back underway. Remember, Everton and QPR will be later than most to begin the second half as kickoff was delayed by 10 minutes, while Southend and Millwall still have two minutes left to play of their first half.

Millwall's task of overhauling the one-goal deficit away to Southend has just got even harder as Jermaine Easter is sent off for a stamp on Ben Coker just before half time. The League Two hosts could well be on course for a big upset today.

One side who don't look like succumbing to an upset is the Championship's Yeovil. They have doubled their lead against Leyton Orient courtesy of a Joel Grant strike and look destined for the fourth round of the competition.

There could be an upset in the making at the Keepmoat, however. Doncaster have just gone behind to Stevenage courtesy of a Zoko strike. Stevenage are bottom of League One, while Doncaster are 22nd in the Championship.

Oliver Norwood has levelled things up for Huddersfield against non-league Grimsby with a superb free kick. Southend have doubled their lead over 10-man Millwall thanks to Will Atkinson's chipped finish on the counter attack just before half time. Meanwhile, Stoke are also now 2-0 up thanks to a thunderbolt from Charlie Adam from 30 yards.

Southampton have seen their lead over Burnley halved by Sam Vokes, who nodded Trippier's cross past Kelvin Davis, and Bolton have regained their advantage over Blackpool thanks to Beckford's sliding finish after good work from N'Gog.

Yeovil have surely booked their place in the fourth round now as James Hayter gets his second goal of the day to give his side a 3-0 lead over Leyton Orient. Burnley have completed a quickfire comeback over Southampton thanks to Danny Ings's calm finish after latching on to Kevin Long's pass, while Hull have doubled their league over Middlesbrough courtesy of a Proschwitz goal just after the hour mark.

Newcastle have finally broken the deadlock in their all-Premier League match against Cardiff. Ben Arfa has hit the woodwork twice in that match but it is Papiss Cisse who has got the opener, firing in from close range. Grimsby have regained their lead against Huddersfield thanks to captain Craig Disley, who nodded in at the far post after a deflected shot.

Wigan have regained the lead at the DW Stadium in what is shaping up to be arguably the tie of the round. Espinoza, who scored the first, was again involved as he chipped the ball over to Callum McManaman, who slotted it into the corner. Stevenage have also taken one step closer to pulling off an upset by doubling their lead over Doncaster courtesy of a powerful Hartley header from Morais's cross.

Jay Rodriguez has given Southampton their lead back after seeing Burnley come from two goals down to level. Rodriguez slid the ball into an empty net but refused to celebrate against his former side. Meanwhile, non-league Macclesfield have levelled things up against Sheffield Wednesday courtesy of a Williams goal. They could be on course for a major upset there.

Cardiff have equalised at St James' Park, and what a goal it was from Craig Noone, who had only just come on as a sub. With his first touch, he fires an unstoppable effort past the keeper. There has also been a special goal at the Keepmoat Stadium, where Doncaster have pulled a goal back against Stevenage through Forrester's half volley.

They're making a claim for game of the day down in Southampton. The Saints have now regained their two-goal lead courtesy of Adam Lallana's driving finish from 20 yards. Elsewhere, Leicester have pulled a goal back against Stoke through Nugent's header, while Villa have levelled things up against Sheffield United thanks to Nicklas Helenius. Their blushes may be spared after all.

Jelavic has got his second of the match for Everton to give them a commanding 3-0 lead over QPR, and surely book their place in the next round of the competition. Cardiff have completed the turnaround against Newcastle thanks to Frazier Campbell's header to make it 2-1 to the visitors. Southend have extended their lead over Millwall to three thanks to Michael Timlin, and finally Sheffield United have responded immediately to Villa's equaliser by regaining the lead through Ryan Flynn.

Phew! What an incredible flurry of late goals that was from around the country. There were significant ones at the DW Stadium, where MK Dons look to have rescued a replay against Wigan, while at Blundell Park Grimsby have had their hearts broken by a late Huddersfield winner. Coventry may have also rescued a draw from their match against Barnsley.

Coventry have done better than rescuing a draw - they have now surely stolen a late victory. What a comeback that is from the visitors, with Leon Clarke scoring a second in the closing stages to give them what looks like being an upset this afternoon.

Doncaster have ensured that it will be a nervy finish to the match for Stevenage as they reduce the deficit to just one goal in stoppage time. It was Wakefield's goal that made it 3-2, although his 'shot' actually looks like it was a mis-hit cross.

The full-time whistles are sounding around the country and we now only have four matches still going on. Three of them are in the closing stages while Southend's game against Millwall still has about 15 minutes to go.

Doncaster can't pull off a dramatic late comeback as the referee blows for the end of their match with Stevenage. That is a huge result for the visitors, who find themselves in the fourth round of the FA Cup despite being bottom of League One.

Coventry hold out for a win that seemed unlikely not so long ago. They scored twice in quick succession at the end of the match to come from behind and beat Barnsley, who sit a division above them in the Football League. Yet another upset to add to the archives of the FA Cup. Everton were the subject of no such shock, however, as they easily dispatched of QPR 4-0 at Goodison Park.

There is one game still taking place from the 3pm kickoffs today, so while Southend and Millwall finish up let's have a recap of what we have seen so far on an action-packed afternoon of FA Cup football.

Arguably the shock of the round came at Villa Park as Premier League side Aston Villa were beaten 2-1 by struggling League One outfit Sheffield United. There was almost another huge shock at Blundell Park as non-league Grimsby lead twice against Huddersfield before succumbing to a heart-breaking late goal that saw them eliminated courtesy of a 3-2 defeat.

The other two non-league teams in action today fared a little better as both Kidderminster and Macclesfield held Peterborough and Sheffield Wednesday respectively to draws. They won't have home advantage in the replays, but it will at the very least be a good occasion for their players.

We had two winners in the three all-Premier League clashes, both of which came courtesy of the away side. Cardiff City came from behind to beat Newcastle at St James' Park, while Crystal Palace eased past West Brom with a 2-0 victory to reach round four. Norwich and Fulham, meanwhile, drew 1-1 at Carrow Road.

There were, as expected, plenty of upsets this afternoon. Coventry came from behind late to beat Barnsley while Stevenage held off a Doncaster revival to win 3-2 against the Championship side. League Two Rochdale recorded a very impressive result as they beat Leeds 2-0 in another of the biggest shocks of the round.

We are now into six minutes of added time at the end of Southend's match against Millwall, but it should just be a formality for the hosts. They will surely see out the game to record another shock as they currently lead the 10-man Lions 3-1.

The FA Cup action is not over for this afternoon, however. You can follow live action of the main event, Arsenal vs. Tottenham, with my colleague Pascal Lemesre by clicking here.

There is the icing on the cake for League Two's Southend United as they score a fourth to guarantee their place in round four. Ryan Leonard got the latest of the goals, collecting Corr's pass before firing it past Forde and into the top corner.

What a result that is for Southend, arguably the best one of the round as they comfortably see off Millwall to get themselves in the draw for the next round. That is the last of the 3pm kickoffs for today, so let's look at the final scores from around the country...

FULL TIME SCORES (1/2): Aston Villa 1-2 Sheffield United; Barnsley 1-2 Coventry; Bolton 2-1 Blackpool; Brighton 1-0 Reading; Bristol City 1-1 Watford; Yeovil 4-0 Leyton Orient; Wigan 3-3 MK Dons; Doncaster 2-3 Stevenage; Everton 4-0 QPR; Grimsby 2-3 Huddersfield; Ipswich 1-1 Preston

FULL TIME SCORES (2/2): Kidderminster 0-0 Peterborough; Macclesfield 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday; Middlesbrough 0-2 Hull; Newcastle 1-2 Cardiff; Norwich 1-1 Fulham; Rochdale 2-0 Leeds; Southampton 4-3 Burnley; Southend 4-1 Millwall; Stoke 2-1 Leicester; West Brom 0-2 Crystal Palace.

In addition to that, Blackburn Rovers held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw earlier today to force a replay against the Blues, while Arsenal are currently hosting Tottenham in a North London derby at the Emirates. There are also another six matches in the third round taking place tomorrow and one more at some point next week when the second round match between Bristol Rovers and Crawley Town finally gets played.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was an action-packed day of FA Cup football - as the third round always is. We have seen 66 goals, plenty of upsets and some memorable performances from sides ranging from the top end of the Premier League all the way down to the depths of those currently dwelling in non-league football. There just isn't anything quite like the FA Cup. Goodbye!