FA CUP RoUNd-UP
BLACKPOOL booked their place in the third round but they made hard work of beating National League North side Brackley 1-0.
A sixth-minute Jamille Matt header proved the difference as Brackley – who beat Gillingham in the first round – failed to add to their 20 FA Cup goals this term.
Blackpool are now unbeaten in their last nine home games and have won their last five at Bloomfield Road.
And while he admits his side were below par, manager Gary Bowyer is dreaming of a thirdround clash at Manchester United.
“The objective was to get through and that’s what we’ve done,” he said. “We started well, got the early goal and we’re delighted with that.
“It’s difficult for us, you win and people say you expect to get through. We knew how difficult a game this would be for us. Full credit to Brackley, they were terrific. Our keeper hasn’t had much to do but they were excellent with the ball.
“I think it’s probably our worst performance of the season with the ball. But the character and desire to get through is what shone through.
“Personally, I’d love to go to Old Trafford with a team. I went to Anfield and that was a wonderful occasion for everybody. But we’d be delighted to get one of the Premier League boys home or away.”
Carlisle saw their unbeaten home record come to an end as they were knocked out by Rochdale, who ran out 2-0 winners at Brunton Park.
Second half goals by Steven Davies and substitute Nathaniel Menzez-Laing did the damage as Dale became the first team this season to prevent the Cumbrians from scoring in front of their own fans.
Carlisle boss Keith Curle gave an honest assessment when he said: “They were better than us. It’s not down to bad luck. We will use this as a learning tool.
“Rochdale are a good side and we needed to get the first goal but it didn’t come. As the game wore on you could see they got more relaxed.
“On another day some of our play would have brought a better result but Rochdale showed the levels needed if we are to go up into League One.
“I don’t like getting beaten and I have a dressing room full of players who don’t like getting beaten either.”
Fleetwood get another bite of the cherry after drawing 0-0 at Shrewsbury.
The Shrews hit the woodwork three times and Cod Army boss Uwe Rosler said: “For us, the positive thing is the clean sheet – we haven’t had many this season – and we’re five games unbeaten.
“A positive is that we went away from home and got another hard- fought result. They had a massive chance – we gifted them that chance, but apart from that I think both teams cancelled each other out in many ways and credit to Shrewsbury.
“The second half when we took over through our fitness, through our running ability, we unfortunately didn’t have the quality on the day to finish the very good opportunities we had on the counter attack in terms of creating chances.”
National League side Sutton caused the biggest shock of the day as Roarie Deacon snatched a winner in the sixth minute of injury-time to ensure they beat Cheltenham 2-1.
There was also a big win for Wycombe at League One strugglers Chesterfield, with Scott Kashket bagging a hattrick in the Chairboys’ 5-0 romp, while Luton fought back from 2-0 down to eventually thrash Solihull Moors 6-2.