Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom was left reeling at the “diabolical” decision to allow Yu Hirakawa’s controversial opener to stand in his side’s 3-1 home defeat to Bristol City.The 23-year-old Japanese forward used his hand to take the ball away from Freddie Woodman and score a sixth-minute opener for the visitors at Deepdale.Sam Greenwood’s free-kick in the 48th mi...Full Story »

Wycombe boss Matt Bloomfield declared himself “chuffed” to progress into the second round of the FA Cup after winning 3-2 against York.Luke Leahy scored in both halves while Gideon Kodua added another as the Sky Bet League One side booked their place in Sunday’s draw.Bloomfield admitted he was relieved to have avoided a potential banana skin after the entertaining clash at Adam...Full Story »

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris believes his side showed in their 0-0 draw at QPR that they have the battling qualities needed to sustain a promotion challenge.The Sky Bet Championship leaders have been dominant so far this season but were not at their best at Loftus Road and had to hold on after Jobe Bellingham was sent off early in the second half.Frenchman Le Bris said: “We feel we can pl...Full Story »

Ian Holloway admitted he needed an ice bath to contain his excitement after seeing Swindon come back to reach the FA Cup second round with a 2-1 win over Colchester.Town looked to be heading for their customary early Cup exit after Arthur Read found Harry Anderson in space on the right and the forward burst through on goal and rifled into the far corner in the 64th minute.But Swindon substitute ...Full Story »

Bristol Rovers were taken to extra time by Vanarama National League South side Weston-super-Mare before beating their West Country neighbours 3-1 to book a place in the FA Cup second round.A 95th-minute header from Rovers centre-back Connor Taylor, meeting Luke McCormack’s whipped cross, in the first half of the additional period saw Rovers reclaim the lead after the match had finished 1-1...Full Story »

Blackpool coach Stephen Dobbie was delighted to see his side reach the FA Cup second round with a 2-0 win over Gillingham.Sonny Carey’s brilliant brace ensured the near 600-mile round trip was worth it for Steve Bruce’s League One outfit.And first-team coach Dobbie, at the helm as Bruce takes time off following the tragic death of his grandson, said: “The message to the boys wa...Full Story »

Graham Alexander praised Bradford for not getting frustrated in their 3-1 comeback FA Cup first-round win over Aldershot.The Bantams, who had not made the FA Cup second round since 2020, came from behind against the National League side with three second-half goals.An upset looked on the cards when Jack Barham, who scored a hat-trick in the same round at Swindon last year, fired Aldershot in fro...Full Story »

Kieran McKenna branded referee Tim Robinson’s decisions “unacceptable” after Ipswich were denied a penalty and had Kalvin Phillips sent off in the 1-1 draw against Leicester.The Town boss accused Robinson of taking centre stage when, with Ipswich leading through a fine Leif Davis volley, the official turned down what looked a clear penalty when Conor Chaplin was barged over by ...Full Story »

Guiseley were denied a famous FA Cup win as they lost 5-4 on penalties away to Stevenage.The Northern Premier League side deserve plenty of plaudits and maybe more after the match had finished 1-1 following extra time.But two saves during the penalty shoot-out from home goalkeeper Murphy Cooper, one from Lebrun Mbeka which stopped the Lions winning, were able somehow to send the League One side ...Full Story »

Mornflake Stadium proved again to be giant-killing territory for Ben Strevens as he celebrated Dagenham & Redbridge’s FA Cup success at Crewe with his family at the final whistle.Daggers boss Ben Strevens once hit a winner from the penalty spot for Eastleigh in an FA Cup tie at Crewe in 2015.Just like the first-round tie nine years ago, the Vanarama National League side’s winner ...Full Story »

Reading manager Ruben Selles admitted his young and inexperienced side were still too “powerful” for League Two Fleetwood in their 2-0 FA Cup first-round victory.The League One Royals went in front three minutes into the second half through skipper Tyler Bindon and doubled their advantage in the 86th minute. Jayden Wareham claimed the goal but the crucial final touch was adjudged to ...Full Story »

Daniel Farke praised his Leeds side’s dominance after they comfortably swept aside Plymouth 3-0 to extend their unbeaten Championship run to eight games.Goals from Dan James, Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson put the White 3-0 up at the end of a one-sided first half at Elland Road.It was a tough afternoon for Wayne Rooney’s Argyle, who set up in an ultra-defensive system but ultimately...Full Story »

Derek Adams was a happy man after League Two strugglers Morecambe avoided an FA Cup upset by beating non-league Worthing 2-0.The Shrimps scored early through Jordan Slew but they did not secure safe passage into the second round until Rhys Williams struck in the 88th minute.Morecambe boss Adams was impressed with the National League South outfit, who created a number of chances when 1-0 down.He ...Full Story »

Cambridge held off a spirited Woking performance to book their place in the second round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 away win.A second-half goal by James Brophy was the difference at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.After a largely scrappy opening, Woking were forced into a 21st minute substitution when Dennon Lewis collided with the visitors’ Jubril Okebina and needed carrying from the field...Full Story »

Tola Showunmi’s first Crawley goal saw the League One side avoid an FA Cup upset at National League Maidenhead after a 2-1 victory.The Magpies were on course to reach the second round for the first time since 1886 through Shawn McCoulsky, but Toby Mullarkey’s strike in stoppage time forced extra-time.And Showumni’s drive with four minutes to go saw Crawley progress to round two...Full Story »

Jordan Ayew’s stoppage-time equaliser denied Ipswich a first Premier League win of the season as Leicester snatched a 1-1 draw.Town were on course for their first three points in the top flight since April 2002 when a superb volley from Leif Davis put them ahead.But the Tractor Boys had Kalvin Phillips sent off with 15 minutes remaining and the 10 men were unable to hold on.Instead, Ayew&r...Full Story »

Josh Woods and Tyler Walton secured Accrington Stanley a 2-0 win at 10-man Rushall Olympic to earn a place in the second round of the FA Cup.Stanley could have opened the scoring around the 20-minute mark when Donald Love sent a low-driven cross to the near post but Walton dragged his shot just wide.The hosts then went close when Billy Crellin punched away a cross to Luke Benbow, but he could on...Full Story »

Bradford came from behind to avoid an FA Cup exit against National League Aldershot with a 3-1 victory.The Shots, who reached the third round of the competition last season, had led through Jack Barham.But their League Two hosts struck three times in the second half to make it past round one for the first time since 2020.Bradford had been made to pay for wasting several good chances in the first...Full Story »

Eddie Howe brushed aside Mikel Arteta’s backhanded compliment after guiding Newcastle to a second successive win over Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal at St James’ Park.Just as they had done last season, the Gunners emerged from their trip to Tyneside on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline, and this time there was no controversial goal to blame for the defeat.Arteta instead admitte...Full Story »

Narcis Pelach’s focus on set-pieces paid off as Ben Gibson’s late header secured Stoke a 2-1 win against Derby.Stoke led through an early Tom Cannon penalty before a mix-up between Gibson and goalkeeper Viktor Johansson saw the visitors level midway through the second half.But skipper Gibson headed in from a corner in the 82nd minute to earn Pelach just a second Championship win sinc...Full Story »