Leicester and Brentford U21 secure EFL Trophy knockout places

Leicester City and Brentford Under-21s secured places in the Jersey Mike's Trophy knockout stage with victories in their final group matches. BBC Sport reported that Leicester recovered from behind against Walsall, while Brentford won 2-1 at Crawley Town to get the result they needed to advance from Southern Group H.

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Domeiro Bobb-Semple scored both Brentford goals at Broadfield Stadium. Connor Wickham marked his Crawley debut with a goal, but the hosts could not prevent the visitors from progressing. Brentford had entered the fixture needing a win against the side sitting bottom of the Football League, leaving no margin for a draw.

Leicester also faced opponents who could take their place in the next round. A Walsall victory at the King Power Stadium would have sent the League Two club through instead, and the visitors took the lead. Will Smallbone and John Lundstram then scored before half-time, with Leicester protecting that advantage. Stevenage finished above them in Southern Group B after a penalty-shootout win over Fulham Under-21s.

There were clearer winning margins in Northern Group F. Nottingham Forest Under-21s scored all three of their goals before the interval in a 3-0 victory at Grimsby Town. Notts County also won 3-0, beating Burton Albion to complete three wins from three Trophy matches and finish as group winners. Both Nottingham clubs advanced.

Oxford United's 4-0 defeat of Cheltenham Town lifted them above their opponents into second place in Southern Group A. Gillingham, meanwhile, secured qualification with a 2-1 win against Northampton Town. A point would have been enough for the Gills, but Lamin Sillah contributed a goal and an assist to ensure they took all three.

Chelsea Under-21s advanced without playing as Reading failed to secure the large victory they needed at Bristol Rovers. Reading instead lost on penalties. Plymouth Argyle finished top of Southern Group E after Seb Campbell struck a 99th-minute winner against Swindon Town at Home Park.

Chesterfield supplied another late turnaround despite already being assured of qualification. Trailing eliminated Mansfield Town 3-1 with 28 minutes left, they scored four times to win 5-3. Dylan Duffy contributed two of those late goals, denying Mansfield their first points of the competition.