League One and Two Clubs Learn FA Cup Fate

The FA Cup second round draw has been made, throwing up some intriguing ties.

The world’s most famous club cup competition returned to the football calendar this past weekend, with League One and Two clubs entering at the first round proper. As always, it didn’t disappoint, with upsets and drama aplenty.

The first match was played on Friday night when third tier Luton Town entertained National League promotion chasers Forest Green Rovers. The Hatters raced into a 3-goal lead, only to be pegged back in a sensational 20-minute spell from Robbie Savage’s team. However, heartbreak ensued when Gideon Kodua spared Jack Wilshere’s blushes in added time.

Late Drama, Big Wins And Drunk Mascots

The weekend followed suit, with entertainment all round. Non-league Boreham Wood dispatched League Two’s Crawley Town 3-0, whilst Macclesfield’s 6-3 win over fellow non-league outfit AFC Tooton was arguably the standout fixture for goals.

Like Luton, Barnsley needed a late winner to edge past York City of the National League. Reading would have been forgiven for thinking they had got the job done over Carlisle United when they entered the 90th minute 2 goals to the good.

A brace from Regan Linney followed, forcing the game into extra time. The attacker then completed his hat trick in the additional 30 minutes to complete a remarkable comeback for the Cumbrians.

 

Officially, Regan Linney scored his third goal before his second 😂#cufc pic.twitter.com/7H4XNc7vBZ

— The Real EFL (@RealEFLSocial) November 1, 2025

Elsewhere, Burton Albion’s 6-0 win over St Albans City will be best remembered for the exploits of their mascot. ‘Sammy the Saint’ was reportedly ejected from the game for ‘drunk and disorderly behaviour’.

His exploits went viral over the weekend, forcing the club to issue an apology.

 

The St Albans mascot was a little bit worse for wear this afternoon at Burton…he eventually got ejected 😳pic.twitter.com/4Sb1GMlXgQ

— The Real EFL (@RealEFLSocial) November 1, 2025

On Sunday, Accrington Stanley avoided a scare when they secured a 2-1 win over Gainsborough Trinity after extra time.

FA Cup Second Round Draw

Slough Town vs Macclesfield
Grimsby Town vs Wealdstone
Sutton United vs Shrewsbury Town
Swindon Town vs Bolton Wanderers
Chelmsford City vs Weston Super Mare
Peterborough United vs Barnsley
Boreham Wood vs Newport County
Milton Keynes Dons vs Oldham Athletic
Wigan Athletic vs Barrow
Fleetwood Town vs Luton Town
Salford City vs Tamworth or Leyton Orient
Accrington Stanley vs Mansfield Town
Stockport County vs Cambridge United
Brackley Town vs Burton Albion
Blackpool vs Carlisle United
Gateshead vs Walsall
Exeter City vs Wycombe Wanderers
Cheltenham Town vs Buxton
Chesterfield vs Doncater Rovers
Port Vale vs Bristol Rovers

The draw preceded Leyton Orient’s first round visit to Tamworth.