Wrexham became only the second non-league side to make it into the FA Cup third round draw by securing a goalless draw against Newport County.
The fifth tier team ensured a replay against the League Two side, despite the fact their manager Sam Ricketts was told to stay away from the match following speculation that he is set to be appointed as John Askey’s replacement at Shrewsbury Town.
Anthony Wordsworth’s sublime goal helped AFC Wimbledon see off non-league Halifax and book their spot in the draw.
The National League side came within inches of taking the lead after 19 minutes. Matty Kosylo launched a stunning solo run from one end of the pitch to the other, only for his shot to come back off the post.
Halifax enjoyed the better of the first period but it was Wimbledon who took the lead three minutes before the break. Ben Purrington’s strike from the edge of the area took a deflection and nestled into the bottom corner.
Midway through the second period Wimbledon killed the game with two goals in quick succession. First, Wordsworth produced a terrific curling strike from the edge of the area to double the lead on 72 minutes, before Joe Pigott made it 3-0 three minutes later. Halifax grabbed a consolation when James Hanson headed into his own net.
Maidstone were the only non-league side in action in the 3pm games, and battled well after Peter Clarke’s 13th-minute opener for Oldham at the Gallagher Stadium. Just when it looked like they might manage to force a replay, Chris O’Grady fired his side’s second from an acute angle eight minutes from time to seal victory.
League Two Lincoln are shaping up for another cup run after seeing off Carlisle 2-0, Matt Rhead opening the scoring in the first minute and John Akinde adding a late second. Struggling Bradford City, who could trade divisions with Lincoln at the end of the season, struck twice in the last 10 minutes to claim a 2-2 draw at Peterborough.
League One high-flyers Sunderland were held to a 1-1 draw by Walsall at the Bescot Stadium. Aiden McGeady slid the visitors into a 37th-minute lead, but Andy Cook struck an equaliser for the Saddlers early in the second half. Goals from James Henry and Cameron Brannagan paved the way for Oxford United’s win at Plymouth, who replied late through Antoni Sarcevic.
Late goals from Andy Butler and John Marquis earned Doncaster a place in the hat with an impressive 2-0 win at Charlton, while goals from Offrande Zanzala, Billy Kee and Jordan Clark helped Accrington Stanley see off Cheltenham 3-1.
Cauley Woodrow hit a second-half double as Barnsley won 4-2 at Southend. Kieffer Moore and Mike-Steven Bahre also scored for the Tykes while the Shrimpers’ efforts came from Sam Mantom and Timothee Dieng.
On Friday night Solihull Moors forced Blackpool into a second-round replay following a 0-0 draw. It was a positive performance by the National League side who looked more than a match for their League One opponents and had a goal disallowed when Darren Carter was ruled offside before his cross was volleyed in by Alex Gudger.
