There were 49 goals scored and three red cards shown in just 15 matches in the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy this evening.
The shock of the round went to Hartlepool, who finally found their shooting boots and cast their poor League Two form aside to thrash League One's Bradford 5-0.
Cheltenham and Plymouth played out arguably the tie of the night as the hosts came back from 3-1 down against 10-man Plymouth to force penalties. Plymouth eventually came out on top, however, winning 5-4 in the shootout.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield United and Portsmouth all also required penalties to progress.
You can read a round-up of how an action-packed night of football unfolded with Sports Mole's live coverage below.
Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's coverage of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. We have 15 games for you tonight and hopefully they will provide plenty of goals.
The lower leagues of English football are notorious for goals, excitement and unpredictability, so pretty much anything could happen tonight! First up, we'll have a look at the five matches that kick off in a little over 10 minutes' time.
BRENTFORD VS. WIMBLEDON: A whole division separates these two sides, but that won't deter Wimbledon who, in their previous life, were no strangers to the odd cupset. They sit fourth in League Two having won their last two matches. Brentford, meanwhile, sit fourth in League One but drew 0-0 with Carlisle at the weekend and were thrashed 5-0 by Derby in the League Cup second round before that.
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE VS. COLCHESTER UNITED: There is potential for an upset in this match, although Colchester will have to improve the form that has seen them fail to win any of their last three games. They are 19th in League Two, while Colchester occupy eighth spot in League One despite also being without a win in three.
GILLINGHAM VS. LEYTON ORIENT: Gillingham have suffered a tough start to life in League One, sitting 21st having won none of their opening five games. They have, however, drawn their last three to string a mini-unbeaten run together. Orient, meanwhile, have started in blistering form, winning all five of their matches so far to top the League One table.
HARTLEPOOL VS. BRADFORD: Hartlepool are currently languishing down at the bottom of the entire Football League, with only Accrington Stanley below them. They have failed to score a league goal this season, although they did net in the League Cup against Nottingham Forest. Bradford, meanwhile, we be looking for another cup run - albeit in a smaller competition - and come into the match seventh in League One.
TRANMERE VS. FLEETWOOD: This could be one of the best bets of the night for an upset. Tranmere pulled off a shock victory over Bolton in the League Cup last week and followed that up with a 1-0 win over Oldham at the weekend, but they remain 18th in League One. Fleetwood, meanwhile, have alternated wins and losses so far this season and sit sixth in the bottom tier.
KICKOFFS: We are underway nice and promptly in three of the five 7pm kickoffs as Brentford vs. Wimbledon, Dag & Red vs. Colchester and Hartlepool vs. Bradford all kick off on the dot. The other two will follow soon enough.
As those five matches go through their embryonic stages, there is times for me to inform you of what else is coming up tonight. We have two matches kicking off at 7.15pm, another two beginning at 7.30pm and the remaining six will get underway at 7.45pm. The match we are expecting to be the biggest draw, Wolves vs. Walsall, is one of the ones in that final group.
Exeter, Wycombe, Port Vale and Bury are all in action from 7.15pm onwards, so let's have a quick look at their matches.
EXETER VS. WYCOMBE: Exeter have made a good start to the season in League Two, winning three of their opening five games to take an early spot in the playoff places. Wycombe, meanwhile, sit mid-table after the same amount of games.
PORT VALE VS. BURY: Port Vale come into this match having picked up just one win in all competitions so far this season, but they will be confident of doubling that figure. The reason behind their confidence is that Bury are currently 10th in the division below them and, although they have not lost in three league games, shipped six goals against Norwich last Tuesday. This game could have goals.
Speaking of goals, there have been none to report to you so far! We're just about 10 minutes into all of the 7pm kickoffs and it has been a slow start across the board. Things can change in the blink of an eye when lower league clubs are concerned, though.
While we're going through a bit of a quiet spell, let me take you through the two 7.30pm kickoffs that will be coming your way shortly.
CREWE VS. ACCRINGTON STANLEY: Last year's JPT champions Crewe kick off their defence of the trophy with what, on paper, looks like a simple enough tie. The hosts are not exactly in sparkling form having won just once this season and lost their last match 5-0, but Accrington are having an even worse time of things. They are currently rock bottom of the Football League, with a 1-1 draw against Portsmouth providing them with their solitary point so far.
KICKOFFS: Exeter and Wycombe have just got their game at St James' Park underway. They will be swiftly followed by Port Vale and Bury. Elsewhere, we're still waiting for our first goal!
SHREWSBURY VS. OLDHAM: This match is set to be the most even of the lot tonight. Just one place and one goal separates them in League One at the moment, with 13th-placed Oldham just leading their hosts. Shrewsbury are in better form, however, having not lost in their last three games.
The closest we have come to a goal so far tonight has come on Merseyside, where Tranmere's Ryan Lowe curled a free kick just past the post from 30 yards. Other than that, it's slim picking so far I'm afraid.
Still, this lack of goals give me ample time to inform you about the last set of games to kickoff tonight - the 7.45pm matches.
GOAL! Hartlepool 1-0 Bradford
Before I do that, however, there is finally a goal to tell you about and it has come from the team who can't find the back of the net for love nor money in the league. Hartlepool take a 1-0 lead over last season's League Cup finalists, and it is Luke James who has got the goal.
CHELTENHAM VS. PLYMOUTH: This is another one that could go either way. Neither side have made a promising start to their respective seasons, with Cheltenham only picking up maximum points against bottom of the table Accrington, while Plymouth - who beat Cheltenham in the league just a few weeks ago, are 15th.
GOAL! Gillingham 0-1 Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient look set to continue their brilliant start to the season having taken the lead at Gillingham through Shaun Batt. Orient's extra-time League Cup defeat to Premier League side Hull is the only match that they have failed to win so far this season.
Batt's goal, I should say, came from the penalty spot too. Cody McDonald brought down Romain Vincelot in the area following a long throw from Nathan Clarke.
KICKOFFS: The two 7.30pm kickoffs are now also underway. Just six more matches to begin and we are all systems go in the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
MK DONS VS. NORTHAMPTON: On paper, MK Dons should comfortably progress to the next round with this tie. They sit sixth in League One having picked up nine points from their opening five games, while Northampton are hovering perilously close to the League Two relegation zone.
NOTTS COUNTY VS. BURTON: Having almost knocked the mighty Liverpool out of the League Cup exactly one week ago, Notts County were brought back to earth with a bump when they lost 1-0 at home to Rotherham at the weekend. They have had a torrid season so far, and tonight's match is a real possibility of an upset. Just three league places separate the 23rd-in-League One Notts County and third-in-League Two Burton.
GOAL! Dagenham & Redbridge 0-1 Colchester
Colchester have taken the lead against Dagenham & Redbridge through Brian Wilson, just seven minute before half time.
GOAL! Shrewsbury 0-1 Oldham
GOAL! Tranmere 1-0 Fleetwood
Here come the goals! Oldham strike first in the 7.30pm kickoffs, taking the lead through Daniel Philliskirk, while Evan Horwood has made it 1-0 to Tranmere against Fleetwood Town.
GOAL! Brentford 1-0 Wimbledon
GOAL! Exeter 0-1 Wycombe
League One side Brentford have taken the lead against Wimbledon shortly before half time courtesy of Moroccan striker Farid El Alagui. Elsewhere, Wycombe have taken the lead against Exeter thanks to a Matthew McClure strike.
KICKOFFS: Our last set of matches tonight are now all underway. In addition to the ones already mentioned, we have Scunthorpe vs. Sheffield United, Torquay vs. Portsmouth and Wolves vs. Walsall taken place at the moment.
GOAL! Gillingham 0-2 Leyton Orient
With the rest of the 7pm kickoffs having gone into half time already, Leyton Orient have doubled their lead right on the stroke of the break. Shaun Batt once again has the goal, taking his personal tally for the night up to two.
GOAL! Cheltenham 1-0 Plymouth
GOAL! Wolves 1-0 Walsall
Two early goals in the late kickoffs to bring you. Cheltenham take the lead against Plymouth through Steven Gillespie, while Wolves have not wasted any time stamping their authority on Walsall, going 1-0 up within five minutes courtesy of Liam McAlinden.
I alluded to the fact that the 7pm kickoffs had all reached half time earlier, and here is a quick round-up of how things are looking at the halfway stage of those matches:
Brentford 1-0 Wimbledon;
Dagenham & Redbridge 0-1 Colchester;
Gillingham 0-2 Leyton Orient;
Hartlepool 1-0 Bradford;
Tranmere 1-0 Fleetwood;
GOAL! Shrewsbury 0-2 Oldham
Oldham, and more particularly Daniel Philliskirk, have doubled their tally at Greenhous Meadow. They now lead Shrewsbury 2-0 thanks to Philliskirk's brace.
We are also now nearing the halfway stage in the 7.15pm kickoffs, with Wycombe leading Exeter 1-0 and Port Vale and Bury still goalless.
GOAL! Cheltenham 1-1 Plymouth
GOAL! Cheltenham 1-2 Plymouth
What a turnaround from Plymouth! They score two goals in as many minutes to overturn their 1-0 deficit against Cheltenham. Boco Boco and Lewis Alessandra got the goals that have given Plymouth a 2-1 lead.
The two 7.15pm kickoffs have now gone into extra time, while the 7pm kickoffs are just about restarting for the second half.
GOAL! Hartlepool 2-0 Bradford
Fantastic start to the half from Hartlepool as they double their lead over Bradford within three minutes of the restart. Jonathan Franks got the goal this time, and the side that can't score in the league now have two in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
Time for a quick round-up of the two matches that have just slipped into half time: Exeter 0-1 Wycombe; Port Vale 0-0 Bury.
Gillingham and Leyton Orient have just kicked off again to start their second half, meaning that all five of the 7pm kickoffs are back underway.
GOAL! Tranmere 1-1 Fleetwood
They are back underway and back providing goals! Fleetwood level the sides just three minutes after the restart courtesy of Jamille Matt. Could we have a shock on our hands here?
GOAL! Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Colchester
Speaking of shocks, there could be one brewing for Dagenham & Redbridge as we speak. They have just equalised against Colchester, with Medy Elito getting the all-important goal.
GOAL! Hartlepool 3-0 Bradford
GOAL! Shrewsbury 0-3 Oldham
GOAL! Brentford 2-0 Wimbledon
A quick flurry of goals from around the country could well have put three of tonight's ties to bed. Hartlepool have well and truly banished their demons in front of goal by taking a 3-0 lead through Christian Burgess, while Adam Rooney has given Oldham the same lead against Shrewsbury. Brentford are just a goal behind having doubled their lead over Wimbledon through Luke Norris.
GOAL! Shrewsbury 1-3 Oldham
GOAL! Hartlepool 4-0 Bradford
GOAL! Brentford 3-0 Wimbledon
GOAL! Brentford 3-1 Wimbledon
Wow, these three games are providing us with their fair share of goals tonight. Shrewsbury's Graham Burke pulls a goal back for them against Oldham shortly before Hartlepool extend their lead to four goal thanks to Jack Compton. Brentford then make it 3-0 in their match through El Alagui's second of the game, but are soon pegged back when Jim Fenlon makes it 3-1.
GOAL! Gillingham 0-3 Leyton Orient
RED CARD! Magnus Okuonghae (Colchester)
GOAL! Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 Colchester
Dagenham are edging closer and closer to pulling off an upset tonight, and they have a great chance to do it now. Brian Saah has given them a 2-1 lead just one minute after Colchester were reduced to 10 men. Leyton Orient, meanwhile, have made it 3-0 against Gillingham through Batt, who completes his hat-trick.
RED CARD! Ishmel Demontagnac (Northampton)
GOAL! Brentford 4-1 Wimbledon
GOAL! Notts County 1-0 Burton
GOAL! Tranmere 1-2 Fleetwood
You'd have to think that Brentford are home and dry now. They have taken a 4-1 lead against Wimbledon thanks to Sam Saunders, while Notts County have also edged in front against Burton through Callum McGregor. Elsewhere, Matt has doubled his personal tally for Fleetwood, who are now just 25 minutes away from pulling off an upset against Tranmere.
GOAL! Gillingham 1-3 Leyton Orient
GOAL! Brentford 5-1 Wimbledon
Could this be the start of a dramatic comeback for Gillingham? They have pulled a goal back against Leyton Orient with just over 20 minutes to play thanks to a Bradley Dack strike. There will surely now be no comeback at Griffin Park, where Brentford have made it 5-1 against Wimbledon through half-time sub Javi Venta.
The 7.30pm kickoffs are just about restarting for the second half now. Crewe vs. Accrington currently remains goalless, while Oldham lead Shrewsbury 3-1.
GOAL! Dagenham & Redbridge 3-1 Colchester
The upset is looking an awful lot more likely now! League One's Colchester have struggled to deal with Dagenham in the second half, and being reduced to 10 men certainly hasn't helped them. Abu Ogogo has put daylight between the two sides and the League Two club are almost through to the second round. About 10 minutes to go in that one.
Plenty of half time scores to update you on from the 7.45pm kickoffs: Cheltenham 1-2 Plymouth; MK Dons 0-0 Northampton (Northampton down to 10 men); Notts County 1-0 Burton; Scunthorpe 0-0 Sheffield Utd; Torquay 0-0 Portsmouth; Wolves 1-0 Walsall.
The earliest kickoffs are all into their last 10 minutes now. As things stand, Brentford, Dagenham & Redbridge, Leyton Orient, Hartlepool and Fleetwood are going through to the next round. In truth, Fleetwood look to be the only side in danger of losing that lead.
GOAL! Dagenham & Redbridge 4-1 Colchester
GOAL! Hartlepool 5-0 Bradford
GOAL! Brentford 5-2 Wimbledon
GOAL! Port Vale 0-1 Bury
A lot of goals have just gone in in a very short space of time, but there really is only one place to start. The shock of the round seems to be coming from Victoria Park where struggling League Two side Hartlepool have taken a 5-0 lead over high-flying League One outfit Bradford. Nialle Rodney was the man who got the latest goal in that game.
Dagenham & Redbridge are also now all-but certain to pull off a shock as they lead Colchester 4-1 going into the closing stages. Louis Dennis came off the bench to join in the scoring there. Wimbledon, meanwhile, have scored a late consolation goal against Brentford courtesy of George Francomb.
Last but not least from that flurry of goals, Bury have broken the deadlock against Port Vale in the 71st minute. Chris Sedgwick is the difference-maker at Vale Park as things stand.
The late kickoffs are beginning to filter back out for the second half now. We have only had five goals from those six matches so far, but I expect more to fly in as time ticks on.
GOAL! Brentford 5-3 Wimbledon
It's a valiant effort from Wimbledon, but it is too little too late. A couple of goals have given the scoreline a more respectable look, but even a stoppage goal from Peter Sweeney won't keep them in the competition.
FULL TIME: Dagenham & Redbridge 4-1 Colchester
GOAL! Port Vale 1-1 Bury
FULL TIME: Hartlepool 5-0 Bradford
So, Dagenham & Redbridge and Hartlepool both book their places in the next round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with comfortable wins. Both have to be regarded as shocks, but Hartlepool's win has to be the biggest of the round. Magnificent result for them.
Port Vale have given themselves a good chance to joining those two teams in the next round having equalised with Bury. Tom Pope got the goal, and now both sides will be looking for a winner with 10 minutes left to play.
GOAL! Exeter 0-2 Wycombe
GOAL! Wolves 1-1 Walsall
GOAL! MK Dons 1-0 Northampton
GOAL! Cheltenham 1-3 Plymouth
Wycombe have surely booked their place in the next round now with a second goal courtesy of Anthony Stewart. They now lead Exeter 2-0 with five or so minutes remaining. Walsall have also equalised against Wolves thanks to an Ashley Hemmings strike, while MK Dons have taken the lead against 10-man Northampton through Patrick Bamford.
Plymouth have also given themselves a cushion against Cheltenham and now lead 3-1 thanks to Hamza Bencherif.
FULL TIME: Brentford 5-3 Wimbledon
FULL TIME: Gillingham 1-3 Leyton Orient
FULL TIME: Tranmere 1-2 Fleetwood
GOAL! Shrewsbury 1-4 Oldham
GOAL! Cheltenham 2-3 Plymouth
GOAL! MK Dons 2-0 Northampton
GOAL! Port Vale 2-1 Bury
We'll have to start at that Port Vale goal as it looks to be the winner for the hosts against Bury. Tom Pope has struck for the second time in the last 10 minutes and has surely put his side into the next round deep into second half stoppage time.
Elsewhere, Oldham have moved further ahead thanks to Sidney Schmeltz, Cheltenham have come back within a goal of Plymouth courtesy of a second goal from Gillespie and MK Dons have doubled their lead against Northampton through Bamidele Ali.
GOAL! Wolves 2-1 Walsall
GOAL! Crewe 1-0 Accrington
GOAL! Cheltenham 3-3 Plymouth
RED CARD! Curtis Nelson (Plymouth)
FULL TIME: Exeter 0-2 Wycombe
FULL TIME: Port Vale 2-1 Bury
The biggest news from that latest flurry of action is that Cheltenham have levelled things up against 10-man Plymouth, who had that man sent off before Cheltenham's second goal went in. It was Jason Taylor who restored parity for the hosts in that match.
Wolves, meanwhile, have restored their lead against Walsall through Bakary Sako. They have just over 20 minutes to hold out for a place in the next round now. Crewe have also taken the lead in their match, breaking the deadlock against Accrington Stanley thanks to a Chuks Aneke strike.
Phew! A moment of calm around the country's matches for once! The two 7.30pm kickoffs are moving into their final stages now, with Crewe and Oldham going through as things stand. A reminder that so far Brentford, Dagenham & Redbridge, Leyton Orient, Hartlepool, Fleetwood, Wycombe and Port Vale have safely progressed through to the next round.
Port Vale did so in dramatic fashion, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes - including a winner deep into second half stoppage time, to come from behind against Bury. That is the most dramatic end to a match we have seen so far tonight but, with many of the remaining eight games finely poised, I'm expecting some more late drama to come.
FULL TIME: Shrewsbury 1-4 Oldham
Oldham join the aforementioned seven other teams in the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with a comfortable 4-1 win over Shrewsbury. I was expecting that to be the closest of tonight's ties, so for the away team to win convincingly is a bit of a surprise.
After such a steady supply of goals for most of the evening, it has gone eerily quiet on that front around the country. Too quiet if you ask me... Are we in store for a big finale? I have a feeling that we might be.
FULL TIME: Crewe 1-0 Accrington Stanley
Aneke's 79th minute goal proves to be enough for Crewe as they book their place in the next round. They made it tougher than it perhaps should have been considering that Accrington are bottom of the Football League, but the League One side will be happy to have made it through to the next round. They are, of course, the current holders of the competition, and they will now get a chance to continue their defence.
I just get the feeling that there is a final twist to come tonight - quite possibly from the Cheltenham vs. Plymouth match. That is currently 3-3 with Plymouth down to 10 men, and we have just three minutes left to play.
Elsewhere, MK Dons are the only side from the late kickoffs to have a comfortable lead going into the closing stages of the match. Wolves also lead, but only by a goal and that may not be enough.
GOAL! Wolves 2-2 Walsall
What was I saying about a goal not being enough?! Wolves have proven me right as Walsall get a late equaliser. Substitute Troy Hewitt is the man who got the goal, and Wolves now have less than five minutes to take the lead again for the third time tonight.
As we enter stoppage time in most of the late kickoffs, four of the six games are currently still locked as draws. Notts County and MK Dons will progress if nothing changes, but there is still time for them to be pegged back too.
END OF 90 MINUTES: Scunthorpe 0-0 Sheffield United
END OF 90 MINUTES: Cheltenham 3-3 Plymouth
END OF 90 MINUTES: Torquay 0-0 Portsmouth
So, we will go straight to penalties in at least three of the matches tonight. Wolves and Walsall are also minutes away from also taking it to the dreaded shootout, while Notts County and MK Dons look destined for the next round.
END OF 90 MINUTES: Wolves 2-2 Walsall
FULL TIME: Notts County 1-0 Burton
It is good news for Notts County as they put their miserable league form behind them to move into the next round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, while Wolves and Walsall go to penalties.
FULL TIME: MK Dons 2-0 Northampton
As expected, MK Dons join Notts County in the next round with a comfortable 2-0 win over a Plymouth side that was reduced to 10 men relatively early on.
The respective shootouts are underway, and there have been no mistakes so far. It is such a cruel way to be eliminated, but you just can't beat the excitement of a penalty shootout.
FULL TIME: Scunthorpe 0-0 Sheffield United (Sheffield United win 5-3 on penalties)
FULL TIME: Torquay 0-0 Portsmouth (Portsmouth win 5-3 on penalties)
It is heartbreak for both Scunthorpe and Torquay as they both go out on penalties! Scunthorpe were on the verge of a big shock but lost out 5-3 in the shootout, while Portsmouth overcame Torquay by the same scoreline.
FULL TIME: Cheltenham 3-3 Plymouth Argyle (Plymouth win 5-4 on penalties)
FULL TIME: Wolves 2-2 Walsall (Wolves win 4-2 on penalties)
Arguably the best game of the night sees Plymouth ultimately triumph over Cheltenham on penalties. Cheltenham came back from 3-1 after the visitors had a man sent off, but Terry Gornell missed a crucial spot kick for them in the shootout, allowing Marvin Morgan to score the winning penalty.
There is also big relief for Wolves as they win via a penalty shootout. Walsall missed their first two spot kicks while Wolves were clinical from 12 yards, eventually winning the shootout 4-2.
And so ends a pulsating night of football! We had goals by the bucket load tonight and there was rarely a dull moment across the country. It was typical lower-league action as saw some big shocks, enthralling football and plenty of excitement.
After all that, 15 teams have progressed into the next round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, among them current holders Crewe, struggling Hartlepool and high-flying duo Leyton Orient and Wolves.
JPT RESULTS IN FULL: Brentford 5-3 Wimbledon; Dagenham & Redbridge 4-1 Colchester; Gillingham 1-3 Leyton Orient; Hartlepool 5-0 Bradford; Tranmere 1-2 Fleetwood; Exeter 0-2 Wycombe; Port Vale 2-1 Bury; Crewe 1-0 Accrington; Shrewsbury 1-4 Oldham; Cheltenham 3-3 Plymouth (Plymouth win on penalties); MK Dons 2-0 Northampton; Notts County 1-0 Burton; Scunthorpe 0-0 Sheffield United (Sheffield United win on penalties); Torquay 0-0 Portsmouth (Portsmouth win on penalties); Wolves 2-2 Walsall (Wolves win on penalties).
That's just about all we have time for tonight. Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was an action-packed night of Johnstone's Paint Trophy football. Congratulations to all the teams who progressed and commiserations to those that didn't. Goodbye!
