Josh Magennis continued his recent fine form in front of goal by blasting home a hat-trick in Exeter City’s thrilling 5-3 FA Cup victory over non-league Barnet at the weekend.
The 34-year-old, who scored his 12th goal for his country in last month's win over Bulgaria, has now bagged four goals in his last four outings for the League One side, with Grecians boss Gary Caldwell hailing the Northern Ireland striker’s impact since arriving at the club in the summer.
“He looked ready for the game and that’s what he’s been all season,” Caldwell told the club website. “He’s been a man really, his experience and his attitude rubs off on others and he led the line fantastically well.”
Elsewhere in the FA Cup first round, Doncaster Rovers substitute Patrick Kelly scored his first goal for the club in a 1-0 victory over League Two Barrow to set up a second round tie with non-league Kettering Town.
“PK is going to be a top player,” insisted Rovers boss and former Northern Ireland midfielder Grant McCann. “His performances over the last two games have been excellent. He was running past people like they weren't there.
“The next stage of his development is getting him to do that more often. He’ll agree if you speak to him. That's down to us to coach him and help him.
“He was on the pitch for 45 minutes today but was in the Barrow box plenty,” added McCann. “It's a plus for him to do that and then show the calmness and control to score. He took the chance and has got us into the next round.”
Striker Jamie Reid also scored his first goal of the season as Stevenage overcame Northern Premier League outfit Guiseley 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out in the FA Cup.
Bradford City’s 3-1 FA Cup win over Aldershot saw Corry Evans given his first start since joining the Yorkshire club who also included Under-19 international George Goodman in their first team squad for the first time.
Meanwhile, in the Scottish Premiership, Matty Kennedy scored for the second consecutive game as Kilmarnock went down 3-2 at Dundee.
In the Premier League, Conor Bradley was a late substitute in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Anfield over Brighton and Hove Albion and for the third time this term U21 international Justin Devenny was included in Crystal Palace’s matchday squad for their 2-2 draw with Wolves.
In the Highland League in Scotland, 18-year-old full back Brendan Hamilton, who last week joined Inverurie Loco Works on loan from Aberdeen until the end of the season, made his debut in the 3-2 home defeat to Huntley FC.
After her stunning goal against Croatia last week, Lauren Wade was an unused substitute as Hearts Women beat Dundee United Women 9-0 in the Scottish Women’s Premier League, however Joely Andrews did come off the bench midway through the second half for the Edinburgh outfit.
Teenager Braiden Graham continued his impressive start for Everton U18s when he was on target in the 3-2 win over Derby County U18s at the weekend to record his eighth goal in just seven games since joining the Toffees in the summer from Linfield.
Also in the U18 Premier League, 17-year-old winger Cole Brannigan scored his first of the campaign as Aston Villa U18s stayed top of the South section with a 4-1 win over their Leicester City counterparts.