Northern Ireland defender Paddy McNair helped San Diego FC make history at the weekend when they defeated last season’s champions LA Galaxy 2-0 in their first-ever match in the MLS.
The Ballyclare man became only the fifth player from Northern Ireland to play in the MLS in its current form – the others being Steve Morrow, Mark Williams, Johnny Steele and Martin Paterson.
McNair, who had a brief loan spell with West Bromwich Albion in the opening months of this season, joined San Diego on a three-year deal last July following the completion of his contract with Championship side Middlesborough.
Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Justin Devenny was used as a late substitute in Crystal Palace’s 2-0 win at Fulham, though Conor Bradley missed Liverpool’s 2-0 win at reigning champions Manchester City through an injury which is expected to keep him out for at least a fortnight.
In the Championship, Sunderland’s Daniel Ballard had to be replaced just four minutes into the second half of the Black Cats' 2-1 defeat to Hull City at the Stadium of Light due to a hamstring injury.
Elsewhere in the division, Isaac Price,who continues to impress for West Brom following his move from Standard Liege last month, provided a sublime assist for the Baggies' opening goal in their 2-0 home win over Oxford United.
Defender Ruairi McConville chalked up his first outing for Norwich City following his move from Brighton when he came off the bench to play the final four minutes of the Canaries' convincing 4-2 success at home to Stoke City.
It was, however, a disappointing weekend for West Ham loanee midfielder Patrick Kelly who picked up a red card for a late tackle after coming on as a substitute in Doncaster Rovers' 2-1 victory at home to Accrington Stanley in League Two.
In the Scottish Premiership, Caolan Boyd-Munce and Oisin Smyth helped Stephen Robinson's St Mirren to a 2-0 success against Rangers. It was a first win for St Mirren at Ibrox in 34 years, and the result ultimately led to the dismissal of 'Gers boss Philippe Clement.
Brad Lyons and Liam Donnelly both started Kilmarnock’s narrow 1-0 loss at third-placed Aberdeen with Lyons stating that Killie are still very much in the race for a top six finish before the split next month.
“It's very frustrating but we are still in it,” he told the BBC. “A couple of wins again and it gets us right up there for that top six spot.
“The last five or six games we have been playing really well, maybe not getting results, but playing well.”
On the goalscoring front, former Cliftonville striker Ben Wilson hit his sixth goal in as many games and his 14th of the season as bottom-of-the-table Airdrieonians picked up a point at Partick Thistle.
Finally, Northern Ireland U17 international Evan Boulter scored his first goal of the season in Nottingham Forest’s 3-2 defeat to Leeds United in the U18 Premier League.
