Jamie Vardy scored his first goal since November as Championship leaders Leicester weathered a storm from struggling Birmingham in the same division to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 3-0 win at the King Power Stadium.
Birmingham, unbeaten in four games since Tony Mowbray replaced Wayne Rooney, had dominated the chances in the first half. Jay Stansfield hit the post and Jakub Stolarczyk, the Leicester goalkeeper, had to make five saves in the first 45.
Related: João Pedro scores a hat-trick as Brighton beat Sheffield United in the goal-fest
After a clearly unimpressed Leicester manager, Enzo Maresca, made three substitutions at half-time, bringing on James Justin, Ricardo Pereira and Kasey McAteer, it was the old firm of Marc Albrighton, 34, and Vardy, 37 , who broke the deadlock for two minutes. into the second half. The veteran winger’s cross from the right wing found an unmarked Vardy who nodded in his first FA Cup goal since 2018. He was soon denied a second as the offside flag was raised.
Port Vale have vowed to deal with a supporter who ran onto the pitch and tried to confront referee Craig Hicks during their 1-0 home defeat to leaders Portsmouth at Vale Park.
Hicks awarded the visitors an 88th minute penalty as Conor Grant brought down Abu Kamara and Colby Bishop converted to keep Pompey top of the table. The home fans were furious as they felt they had a strong claim for a free-kick seconds earlier, with one supporter entering the pitch and chasing the referee before the coaching staff intervened on the touchline.
A statement from Port Vale read: “Port Vale Football Club condemns the actions of the person who entered the field of play during today’s match against Portsmouth.
“We will work with the relevant authorities to ensure that the matter and the individual are handled with a zero-tolerance approach. We remind all supporters that entering the field of play is a criminal offence.”
Bolton moved up to second place, two points behind Pompey, after a 4–1 win over Carlisle. Goals from Zachary Ashworth and Edmond-Paris Maghoma in the space of five minutes put the visitors ahead at half-time. Jordan Gibson pulled a goal back before Kyle Dempsey and substitute Nathanael Ogbeta wrapped things up in stoppage time.
Peterborough slipped to third place after a goalless draw Lincoln. A late goal from James Collins made it happen Derby a 2-1 win Cheltenham to go on points level with Posh. Liam Sercombe put the visitors ahead before Max Bird’s free-kick brought Derby level on the hour and Collins struck with nine minutes remaining.
Placed fifth Barnsley was defeated 2-1 at home by Exeterwhile Oxford suffered a second straight league defeat when they lost 3–1 Bristol Rovers. Stevenage came back from behind to win 3-2 Wigan with a late goal from substitute Louis Thompson.
Managerless Charlton battled to a 1–1 draw during the play-off chase Blackpoolsecured through a Marvin Ekpiteta own goal in the second half.
Bottom club Fleet wood held out for a 2-2 draw Wycombewhere they played the second half with 10 men after Promise Omochere – who had scored earlier – was sent off for a second warning on the stroke of half-time.
Cambridge drew 0-0 with Burton, who had midfielder Steve Seddon sent off in the second half after two quick warnings. Daniel Udoh and Cheyenne Dunkley were on target in the second half Shrewsbury defeat Noordampton 2-0, while wrestlers Reading Drawn 1-1 with Leyton Orient.
That didn’t affect Birmingham as they continued to rain shots at the Leicester goal, only to concede another in the 72nd minute. Yunus Akgun, on loan from Galatasaray, fired a rocket past John Ruddy from the edge of the area to double the home side’s lead.
The Birmingham fire was now out and it was left to Dennis Praet to complete the win with a neat finish after Tom Cannon’s pullback two minutes from time.
In another all-Championship tie, Leeds dominated Plymouth in the first half at Elland Road, but had to settle for a 1–1 draw. Georginio Rutter’s header forced the Argyle keeper, Conor Hazard, into a clever save, only for the same Leeds striker to see his cross float off the crossbar. Hazard made another great save in the first half, this time from Wilfried Gnonto.
In the 31st minute, Jaidon Anthony, on loan from Bournemouth, scored for Leeds, completing a slaloming solo run through the Plymouth defense with a crashing right-foot shot and then celebrating with an emotional tribute to his recently deceased mother. The referee, Lewis Smith from Lancashire, fined him for taking off his shirt to reveal the message.
Stockport extended their lead at the top of the table with a 5-1 win over Doncaster. Paddy Madden scored twice as County took full advantage of Wrexham’s presence in the FA Cup to move five points clear.
Mansveld failed to make up any ground after a 2-1 defeat at AFC Wimbledon, where they finished with nine men. Stags defender Jordan Bowery was shown a straight red card after 20 minutes, with Stephen Quinn sent off in stoppage time before Ronan Curtis scored a late winner.
Crewe‘s promotion bid was also dented after a 3-2 home defeat against Salford, with Matt Smith scoring a hat-trick. Late goals from Michael Williams and Alex Gilbey helped MK Dons to secure a 2-1 win Gillingham.
Notts Countyhowever, saw their winless run extend to four matches after being held to a 1–1 draw at home Wheelbarrowthe fourth one.
New Forest Green Rovers boss Steve Cotterill saw his first game in charge end with a 1-0 home defeat Accrington. Arthur Read’s goal gave Colchester a 1-0 win over Meercambe, a first victory for the new management duo Danny and Nicky Cowley. Elsewhere, Walsall And Sutton Drawn 1-1, Swindon defeat Bradford 2-0 and Tranmeer won 2-1 at Grimsby.
Leeds failed to convert their territorial dominance into a clear lead and Adam Randell, coming on as a second-half substitute, completed an end-to-end counter-attack to pass Ilan Meslier after Matt Butcher Mustapha Bundu, another sub, cleared had sent. left.
Plymouth scored their goal in the 73rd minute during a period when Ian Foster, who was appointed this month, made changes.
In a helterskelter finish, late substitute Patrick Bamford, following a pass from Junior Firpo, was denied by the excellent Hazard, who had made a series of fine saves. A replay means Leeds will have to make two long trips to Devon in February: a Championship match between the clubs is scheduled for February 17, with kick-off on Saturday afternoon. An extra match will be an unwanted addition to Leeds’ workload as they battle for an automatic promotion place.