Rochdale pulled off the first shock of the FA Cup third round as 40-year-old Aaron Wilbraham earned a 1-1 draw with Premier League Newcastle at Spotland.
The Dale, currently battling relegation in League One, will travel to St James’ Park for a replay thanks to a spirited display which saw them equalise 11 minutes from time.
Newcastle, facing their own battle with injuries, took the lead on 17 minutes when Miguel Almiron lashed into the roof of the net following some nice play down the left.
Rochdale had spurned a number of chances to pull level but did grab the equaliser late on as 17-year-old Luke Matheson’s low cross was collected and calmly finished by Wilbraham, with 23 years separating the goalscorer and the creator.
Last season’s finalists, Watford, were embarrassed at Vicarage Road as they let slip a 3-0 lead at half time against League One Tranmere.
Things were going swimmingly for the Hornets with goals from Tom Dele-Bashiru, Nathaniel Chalobah and Roberto Pereyra giving them a seemingly unassailable lead.
But Tranmere fought back after the break and earned a replay at Prenton Park with goals from Connor Jennings, Manny Monthe and Paul Mullins’ 87th-minute penalty. Pereyra was sent off on 89 minutes.
A star could well have been born in this year’s competition as Norwich youngster Adam Idah fired in an impressive hat-trick as they coasted past Championship side Preston.
The 18-year-old took just 90 seconds to get his and Norwich’s first. Onel Hernandez doubled their lead before Idah got another to give them a 3-0 lead at half time.
Preston pulled a goal back but Idah got his third, a penalty complimented with a composed stuttering run-up, as the Canaries ran out 4-2 winners.
There would be no slip up for Burnley, who beat Peterborough at Turf Moor, while Fulham faced Aston Villa in what what was a repeat of last season’s Championship play-off final. The Cottagers would win 2-1 this time round, however.
Meanwhile, Brighton lost at home to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.
Here are all the results from the FA Cup third round so far…
Bristol City 1-1 Shrewsbury
Birmingham 2-1 Blackburn
Rochdale 1-1 Newcastle
Rotherham 2-3 Hull
Millwall 3-0 Newport
Burnley 4-2 Peterborough
Brighton 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Cardiff 2-2 Carlisle
Fulham 2-1 Aston Villa
Oxford 4-1 Hartlepool
Southampton 2-0 Huddersfield
Brentford 1-0 Stoke
Preston 2-4 Norwich
Reading 2-2 Blackpool
Watford 3-3 Tranmere
