Huddersfield, Crewe and Stevenage all recorded huge wins as the Vertu Trophy continued with 20 ties on a busy night.
Seven Premier League under-21s sides were in action against League One and Two opposition, but Crystal Palace were the only side to avoid defeat inside 90 minutes.
Zach Marsh’s late goal – his second – earned the young Eagles a 3-3 draw with Bromley, who are unbeaten in League Two, before Bromley won 4-3 on penalties.
Huddersfield handed Newcastle’s youngsters a lesson in a 6-2 home win, with striker Joe Taylor scoring twice for Lee Grant’s side.
Crewe have lost back-to-back games in League Two after a superb start but responded in emphatic fashion, thrashing Chesterfield 7-1 at Mornflake Stadium, with Stoke loanee Emre Tezgel scoring a hat-trick, including two in the first six minutes.
Stevenage have won five of their first six games in League One and continued their brilliant start with a 5-1 win at AFC Wimbledon. New signing Gassan Ahadme scored twice, to add to strikes from Phoenix Patterson, Beryly Lubala and Harvey White.
Holders Peterborough – who have endured a nightmare start in League One – lost again, with Leyton Orient winning 3-1 at the Weston Homes Stadium despite going down to 10 men after 26 minutes.
Azeem Abdulai’s early red card was forgotten after goals from Charlie Wellens – son of manager Richie – Jack Moorhouse and Michael Craig.
Lorent Tolaj scored his first Plymouth goals since joining from Port Vale in a 2-0 win over Cheltenham, while former Wrexham favourite Ollie Palmer scored his first goal for Swindon in a 3-2 win over Reading.
Jerry Yates was another striker getting off the mark for his new club, scoring in a comfortable 4-1 win for Luton at home to Barnet.
League Two leaders Gillingham thumped Fulham Under-21s 4-1 with goals from Logan Dobbs, Cruz Beszant, Marcus Wyllie and Stan Sargent, while League One side Port Vale beat Leeds’ under-21s by the same scoreline.
Andy Cook scored in the 95th minute as Bradford came from behind to snatch a 2-1 win over Grimsby.
