League One and League Two sides rained in goals against Premier League under-21 opposition in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.
The competition, which is being sponsored for the next five seasons by US sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s, saw 93 goals scored across 23 ties.
Newly promoted League Two side Rochdale’s tie against Liverpool Under-21s in Northern Group H was briefly halted after 69 minutes due to fireworks being aimed into the ground from outside.
Will Wright, the 18-year-old former Salford striker, had earlier cancelled out Devante Rodney’s opener for the hosts with a stunning solo goal but 41-year-old Ian Henderson put Dale back ahead after the brief delay with the first goal of his 24th professional season and dinked a third moments later.
However, the Reds youngsters, who played with 10-men from the 21st minute after a red card for Senegalese defender Mor Talla Ndiaye, dug deep to score four and six minutes into stoppage time to snatch a draw and added insult to injury by nicking the penalty shootout 7-6 in sudden death to secure a bonus point.
Russell Martin fielded a strong Leicester side who raced into a 5-0 lead before half-time against Fulham Under-21s, with Bosnian striker Admir Bristric scoring a hat-trick inside 34 minutes and Tommy Watson adding two more.
The Cottagers pulled one back before Bobby De Cordova-Reid netted against his former club to add to his three first-half assists, while Watson came within inches of a claim to the match ball as he hit the post in the dying moments.
The other game in Southern Group B also finished 6-1, with Michael Mellon scoring a hat-trick in Stevenage’s big win at Walsall.
Accrington came from 2-0 down against Sunderland Under-21s to snatch a last-gasp equaliser in a 3-3 draw through Stefan Mols and then secured a bonus point in Northern Group A with a 3-1 win on spot-kicks.
Luton midfielder Jordan Clark scored a hat-trick on his 33rd birthday as the Hatters thrashed Ipswich Town Under-21s 6-0 in Southern Group D while Caleb Watts scored twice as Plymouth ran out 5-1 winners against Crystal Palace in Southern Group E.
Jack Lankester netted two as Crewe Alexandra thumped Aston Villa’s under-21s 4-1 in Northern Group B, while Nick Powell bagged both as Bradford came from behind to beat Newcastle’s youngsters 2-1 and join them at the top of Group C.
Emeka Adiele’s first goal for Burton put them ahead against Nottingham Forest Under-21s but the visitors came back to level and then pinched the bonus point on penalties, though they stay behind Northern Group F leaders Notts County, who beat Grimsby 2-1.
Barnsley were 4-0 down with 10 minutes to go at home to Leeds in Group G but rallied to score three times in seven minutes, though they could not find an equaliser.