The Emirates FA Cup Second Round Proper embraced the festive period as it delivered a series of Christmas crackers on an action-packed Saturday.
League Two Swindon Town powered past Bolton Wanderers of League One thanks to Aaron Drinan’s hat-trick while sixth-tier Buxton pushed Cheltenham Town all the way before bowing out.
Weston-super-Mare made club history as they reached the third round for the first time with victory over Chelmsford City.
Four matches required penalties to find a winner, with Mansfield Town, Cambridge United, Fleetwood Town and Wigan Athletic all prevailing.
Swindon gave their fans an early Christmas present as they brushed aside Bolton 4-0 at the County Ground.
Drinan gave Ian Holloway’s side a seventh-minute lead after the Irishman calmly slotted home from the penalty spot after a handball in the box.
Aaron Drinan scored a perfect hat-trick to secure @Official_STFC’s spot in the #EmiratesFACup third round 🎩 pic.twitter.com/ZTkpjLWoM3
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) December 6, 2025
Bolton pushed to get back on level terms with Josh Sheehan hitting the bar before Billy Bodin missed a gilt-edged opportunity to make it 2-0.
Thierry Gale forced a brilliant save out of Swindon keeper Connor Ripley, but Joe Snowdon doubled the home side’s lead on 55 minutes with a smart finish area after picking up Joel McGregor’s cross.
Bodin was a constant threat went close again with an acrobatic effort with 20 minutes remaining, before McGregor’s volley was deflected wide five minutes later.
The game was put to bed when Drinan bagged his second, and Swindon’s third, when he headed home an in-swinging corner.
But the 27-year-old saved the best until last when he completed his treble on 86 minutes courtesy of a spectacular lob that caught 'keeper Tyler Miller stranded off his line.
Weston-super-Mare produced arguably the biggest win in their history after they got the better of fellow sixth-tier outfit Chelmsford 2-0 away from home.
Louis Britton’s second-half brace gave Seagulls fans a day to remember as they bettered the achievements of the class of 2003-04, who also reached the second round.
Louis Britton 😱💥
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) December 6, 2025
A stunning volley to secure @WSM_AFCOfficial's spot in the third round for the first time in their history 🤩 pic.twitter.com/PV7CLI0xL2
Elsewhere, sixth-tier Buxton fought valiantly in their bid to reach the third round for the first time since the 1951-52 season but ultimately came up short against Cheltenham Town.
Tai Sodje put the Bucks ahead after capitalising on a defensive error, but Isaac Hutchinson drew the home side level on 29 minutes.
The National League North outfit continued to take the game to the hosts and retook the lead in first half stoppage time through George Ward’s header.
However, Cheltenham dominated in the second 45 minutes and booked their place in the next round courtesy of five unanswered goals to leave the final score 6-2.
Jack Aitchison’s double acted as the foundations to Exeter City’s 4-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers while Jaze Kabia also netted twice as Grimsby Town powered past National League outfit Wealdstone 4-0.
Milton Keynes Dons booked their place in the next round with a 3-1 home win over Oldham Athletic with Barnsley and Port Vale joining them thanks to 1-0 wins over Peterborough United and Bristol Rovers respectively.
The first of two late kick-offs saw Shrewsbury Town come from behind to edge past Sutton United in a topsy-turvy encounter in south-west London.
Kai Jennings put Sutton ahead with 20 minutes remaining before Ismeal Kabia levelled at the death for Shrewsbury, who had been reduced to 10 players after Josh Ruffels was dismissed for a second yellow card.
David Ogbonna suffered the same fate for Sutton and John Marquis made him and the National League side pay with the winner two minutes into extra-time, before Junior Eccleston was also sent-off for the hosts to cap off an enthralling cup tie.
Four ties went the distance on Saturday as Mansfield crept past Accrington Stanley 3-1 on penalties after 120 minutes of action finished 2-2 at Wham Stadium.
James Gibbons hit the winning spot-kick as Cambridge upset Stockport Country 5-4 on penalties after the tie ended 0-0, while Fleetwood also beat opposition from League One as they overcame Luton Town 4-2 on penalties after Teden Mengi had earlier spared the Hatters’ blushes as he made it 2-2 in the 93rd minute to force extra-time.
A classic for @ftfc as they overcome Luton Town on penalties in the most dramatic of circumstances ♥️#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/f7c0VtWTww
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) December 6, 2025
Wigan avoided a shock exit at the hands of Barrow after Will Aimson’s late equaliser sent to the game to extra-time. No further goals were scored but the 2013 winners held their nerve from 12-yards out, triumphing 4-3.
