Christopher Nkunku scored a hat-trick as Chelsea breezed into round four of the EFL Cup by emphatically brushing aside League Two leaders Barrow 5-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Standing in for the in-form Nicolas Jackson, Nkunku stole the show with two goals in the first half before rounding off his hat-trick in the 75th minute as the much-changed Blues ran riot on Tuesday.

Nkunku opened the floodgates in the eighth minute, with the France international flicking in a second before Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman turned into his own net.

Pedro Neto made it 4-0 straight after the break, tapping home from Mykhailo Mudryk's centre.

Barrow may be top of the pile in England’s fourth tier, but they managed just one shot on target as Nkunku added further gloss before going off with 15 minutes remaining.

While Barrow will reflect on their first EFL Cup third-round appearance since 1967-68, Chelsea will aim to keep up their early season momentum when they take on Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Data Debrief: Deja vu

Before this game, the only previous meeting between Chelsea and Barrow in any competition was in the 1947-48 FA Cup third round – the Blues won 5-0 at Stamford Bridge.

History repeated itself on Tuesday, as Chelsea (who mustered 3.0 xG to Barrow's 0.3) made it seven wins from their last seven EFL Cup ties against teams from the fourth tier. Job done in comfortable fashion for Enzo Maresca.

Christopher Nkunku scored a hat-trick as Chelsea breezed into round four of the EFL Cup by emphatically brushing aside League Two leaders Barrow 5-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Standing in for the in-form Nicolas Jackson, Nkunku stole the show with two goals in the first half before rounding off his hat-trick in the 75th minute as the much-changed Blues ran riot on Tuesday.

Nkunku opened the floodgates in the eighth minute, with the France international flicking in a second before Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman turned into his own net.

Pedro Neto made it 4-0 straight after the break, tapping home from Mykhailo Mudryk's centre.

Barrow may be top of the pile in England’s fourth tier, but they managed just one shot on target as Nkunku added further gloss before going off with 15 minutes remaining.

While Barrow will reflect on their first EFL Cup third-round appearance since 1967-68, Chelsea will aim to keep up their early season momentum when they take on Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Data Debrief: Deja vu

Before this game, the only previous meeting between Chelsea and Barrow in any competition was in the 1947-48 FA Cup third round – the Blues won 5-0 at Stamford Bridge.

History repeated itself on Tuesday, as Chelsea (who mustered 3.0 xG to Barrow's 0.3) made it seven wins from their last seven EFL Cup ties against teams from the fourth tier. Job done in comfortable fashion for Enzo Maresca.

Barrow’s League Two clash with Bradford has fallen victim to the weather as a result of torrential rain

The Cumbrian club was due to host its West Yorkshire rivals at the SO Legal Stadium on Tuesday evening, but the fixture was postponed after a lunchtime inspection during which the pitch was found to be waterlogged.

A statement on the club’s official X – formerly Twitter – account said: “Unfortunately following a pitch inspection at the SO Legal Stadium, tonight’s match against Bradford City has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

“We will update fans as soon as possible about the rearrangement of this fixture.”

Barrow currently sit fifth in the table, seven points adrift of the automatic promotion places with five matches to play, but with two games in hand on MK Dons in third.

The Met Office warned of an area of low pressure following on the coat tails of Storm Kathleen, which brought difficult conditions to the UK over the weekend, on Monday.

A yellow weather warning for the west coat of Wales is in place until 3pm on Tuesday, when “a spell of strong winds” will affect the region.

In Scotland, 20-40mm of rainfall is expected in some areas until 6pm on Tuesday, while a few places could see as much as 50-60mm.

Further rainfall is forecast in western Scotland between 9am and 10pm on Wednesday and may cause flooding, with 20-30mm of rain expected in most places and 40-60mm on high ground.

Cole Stockton scored twice as Barrow moved closer to securing a Sky Bet League Two play-off place with a 3-1 win over lowly Grimsby.

The Cumbrians have never appeared in a Football League play-off but an unbeaten March campaign has bolstered their chances.

Stockton broke the deadlock after 11 minutes with his sixth goal since joining on loan from Burton in the January transfer window.

The former Morecambe goal machine doubled the Bluebirds’ lead in the 22nd minute with a simple tap-in after Dom Telford’s shot following a mazy dribble was stopped on the line.

Barrow looked set for a routine three points but Grimsby kept up the pressure in the second half and saw Kieran Green hit the post with a header.

However, Pete Wild’s side sealed victory after 81 minutes as midfielder Robbie Gotts drilled in a low shot from the edge of the area.

Gotts’ goal was extra insurance as Justin Obikwu fired in after 88 minutes to give the Mariners a consolation.

Barrow’s latest win stretched their unbeaten run to six games – all in March – with four victories and two draws and leaves them fifth in League Two.

Barrow boss Pete Wild hailed his players as “outstanding” after they fired themselves back into the League Two play-off places with a fine 2-0 win over Gillingham.

Goals from experienced centre-back James Chester and Emile Acquah – his first in the league since October – ended a three-game losing streak.

It was the first game the club have played in 17 days after fixtures against Bradford and Crawley were called off due to waterlogged pitches.

“I think you’ve seen three or four lads who have played the best they ever had in a Barrow shirt,” said Wild.

“They were outstanding.

“It was really nice last Saturday when I went and had a chat with the fans and the fans who have been with us through thick and thin knew we were having a blip and we would come through it and we’ve delivered for them.

“I’m really pleased that we’ve done that because some of the things they were saying was humbling to say the least.

“I keep saying this, we must remember what this squad is doing for the football club and the distance it’s travelled.

“We’ve put a pin in the ground. Where we were 12 months ago in March we were out of the play-off picture and nowhere near it. Twelve months on we’re in the play-off picture.

“I think the staff and the squad deserve so much credit for what they’re doing for this football club.”

Stephen Clemence’s side slipped out of the play-off spots after defeat.

And frustrations boiled over as Conor Masterson and Remeao Hutton were booked for squaring up to one another at the end.

On the incident, Clemence said: “It’s an emotional game, football. You have to keep your emotions in check.

“I don’t like to see that, but I’ve nipped it in the bud. They’ve shaken hands and they’re fine.

“They both just want to win and sometimes in the heat of the moment your emotions can get the better of you, but they’re fine now.”

On the game, the Gills boss added: “I felt we were off it and we didn’t hit the levels we have set recently.

“It’s difficult when you play two away games on the spin, especially with the amount of miles we have put in in the past few days.

“I don’t want to use that as an excuse, but we were a little bit flat.

“I will go to bed wondering whether that’s my fault because you don’t want to change a team that’s done well.

“We dust ourselves down and get ready to start a new run on Saturday.

“We didn’t create enough. I have to say Barrow are very well organised. It was difficult and we didn’t have that spark that we needed.

“It is what it is, we’ve been beat. It’s one game.

“The division is the division and a lot of teams can beat each other. Is it a surprise? I came here thinking we’d win the game.

“We’ve got 10 games left and we’ll be trying to win them all.”

Emotional Maidstone boss George Elokobi saluted a ‘blockbuster’ winning goal from Bivesh Gurung as his side stunned League Two high-fliers Barrow in the FA Cup.

The National League South side reached the third round for the first time since their reformation in 1992 and Elokobi believes they fully deserve to be there.

The former Wolves midfielder said after the 2-1 success: “I’m really excited for the football club.

“Barrow showed us respect which was wonderful, but I think we deserved to get through.

“I got emotional after the game but those emotions were for everyone here, the players, the fans and all the staff and the community of Maidstone.

“The whole place is buzzing after that, the whole community is, so let’s see where this result takes us now.

“It’s an incredible achievement, but this is the magic of the FA Cup.

“Now the whole town can go out and enjoy it, and see what happens in the draw tomorrow.

“We had a mountain to climb, but we reached the summit thanks to Bivesh’s goal.

“It was an absolute blockbuster – it was just an excellent hit. As soon as it left his boot I knew the ball was going to fly in. Bivesh is a terrific talent and I’m so delighted for him.”

The non-league outfit probably enjoyed the better of the opening 45 minutes at the Gallagher Stadium.

However, it was Barrow who opened the scoring when Ben Whitfield pounced on a defensive mix-up before tapping home.

The Kent club bagged a deserved leveller thanks to Sam Corne’s drilled strike and there was precious little goalmouth action in the second period until Gurung smashed home from 20 yards with 16 minutes left.

It was a blow for Barrow boss Pete Wild, whose side must now focus solely on their continuing promotion push from League Two.

Wild said: “It’s definitely been a frustrating day at the office.

“Did we do enough to win the game, or maybe did we do enough to have lost the game? I’m not sure, but that’s the FA Cup for you.

“It was a nothing game for the large part, a drab encounter really, and I thought we were comfortable for large periods.

“Their lad goes and pulls a goal out of nowhere, though, and now I’m thinking to myself ‘how did we lose that?’.

“We’ve spent the whole of the second half in their half but I’m frustrated that we didn’t create nearly enough chances.

“We look a bit flat, though that’s not an excuse, and we looked tired, and that’s not an excuse, but when you don’t take or create enough chances like we have today, then you’re bound to leave yourselves susceptible to a result like this.”

National League South side Maidstone came from behind to stun League Two high-fliers Barrow 2-1 in the FA Cup.

A total of 46 places in the league pyramid separate the two sides, but Maidstone made it through to the third round draw thanks to Bivesh Gurung’s superb 74th minute winner.

Barrow threatened in the opening minute when Elliot Newby fired narrowly over the top and the visitors opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Ben Whitfield tapped home, after the Maidstone defence failed to clear Emile Acquah’s flick towards goal.

The Kent side levelled soon after when Sam Corne pounced on a loose ball in the box before drilling past Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman.

Paul Appiah was inches away from adding a second for Maidstone just before the break.

Barrow threatened first in the second half when substitute Sam Foley volleyed off target following Whitfield’s pass.

However, Gurung smashed home from 20 yards to hand the hosts a shock win and a first place in the third round since their reformation in 1992.

Barrow upset League One Northampton in the first round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 victory at Sixfields.

Emile Acquah’s early header was cancelled out by Mitch Pinnock but second-half goals from Tom White and Ben Whitfield secured Barrow’s place in the draw for the second round.

The League Two outfit made the better start and led after only nine minutes when Acquah headed in Elliot Newby’s corner.

Will Hondermarck curled wide and Sam Hoskins had a shot blocked before Northampton levelled a minute shy of the half-hour mark as Hoskins charged down Niall Canavan’s clearance and the ball rebounded kindly for Pinnock to slot home.

Barrow’s Dom Telford smashed just wide from 20 yards before Hoskins missed a good chance at the start of the second half, poking wide when through on goal.

That proved a big moment in the game as Barrow regained the lead moments later through White’s long-range shot, which took a wicked deflection and wrong-footed Max Thompson.

Victory was secured 18 minutes from time after a mix-up between Thompson and Ali Koiki allowed Whitfield to score into an empty net.

Zac Ashworth’s first senior goal secured Carabao Cup progress for Sky Bet League One Bolton courtesy of a 1-0 victory over fourth tier Barrow.

And on a night of unexpected results, manager Ian Evatt was just pleased his former club could not add to the list of giantkillers.

Ashworth, on a season-long loan from West Brom, curled in a 44th-minute free-kick to mark his debut in fine style.

“We should not take progression for granted,” said Evatt after Wanderers followed up last Saturday’s opening league win against Lincoln.

“There have been some strange results and big shocks so I am delighted to get through.

“Overall, I thought it was comfortable but great credit to Barrow. They made it tough for us and got a lot of bodies behind the ball.

“Obviously while they are still in the game they can have a last-minute push and anything can happen.

“We were waiting for them to come out earlier than they did. They probably waited until injury time to throw men forward.

“But we were completely dominant in possession, but probably not productive enough in the second half.

“There were very limited opportunities, but we were perhaps a little safe in the final third. But we limited them to very little so lots of positives.”

On Ashworth’s match-winning contribution, Evatt added: “I am pleased for Zac and great we managed to blood him along with Paris Maghoma and Carlos Mendes Gomes to get them some match minutes to bring them up to speed.”

Barrow boss Pete Wild refused to be too downhearted by his team’s exit.

“For me the Carabao Cup is a free hit,” he insisted. “It has been a night out for the fans and a good chance for the players to play at a top League One ground.

“Ultimately, I won’t be judged on what round of the Carabao Cup I get to. I will be judged on what we do in the league.

“We watched Bolton over the last couple of days and you have a decision to make. Do we come out and be blasé because it is the cup and have a right go but leave yourself wide open?

“Or you can sit in, try and frustrate and in the last 15-20 minutes, if you are still in the game, have a chance to have a go at them.

“The plan was to sit in and frustrate for long periods. And what a shift the lads put in.

“We had a couple of chances at the end to maybe nick something. But we came up against a top League One side.

“They play the same system as us but with a lot more purpose and power.”

Zac Ashworth marked his debut with a first senior goal as knock-out specialists Bolton opened their Carabao Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Sky Bet League Two Barrow.

The West Brom loanee’s 44th-minute curling free-kick was the perfect ending to an opening half dominated by last season’s EFL Trophy champions.

Ian Evatt’s League One outfit could not find a decisive finish against his former club from a succession of chances until Ashworth punished George Ray’s foul on Cameron Jerome from 20 yards.

Pete Wild’s Cumbrians came into only their fifth ever appearance in the competition on the back of an impressive 2-1 opening day win at Tranmere.

But they never threatened to win a first-ever fixture against the Trotters, whose run to Wembley victory against Plymouth included a group-stage win over the Bluebirds.

Barrow resolutely defended their box as Bolton continued to dictate and dominate possession, but could not get the second goal to put their fans at ease.

Ashworth’s breakthrough goal ensured Bolton – denied a second goal late on by Paul Farman’s great save from Victor Adeboyjeo – followed up their own first-day victory against Lincoln.

Bristol Rovers remarkably clinched promotion from League Two despite needing to make up five goals on Northampton Town on the final day of the season.

Rovers, managed by former Manchester City and Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton, headed into Saturday's matches fourth in the table, behind third-placed Northampton – in the final automatic promotion place – on goal difference.

Northampton appeared to have done enough to secure a spot in League One as they won 3-1 at Barrow, only for events at the Memorial Stadium to halt their celebrations.

That scoreline at Barrow – unchanged from the 45th minute onwards – meant Rovers needed to win 7-0 against already-relegated Scunthorpe United to pip Northampton on goals scored.

Leading 2-0 at half-time, Aaron Collins and Antony Evans each scored twice against a much-changed Scunthorpe side before Elliot Anderson – on loan from Newcastle – added to his two assists with the decisive seventh five minutes from time.

That goal – the 19-year-old's seventh of a sensational loan spell, to go with six assists – prompted a pitch invasion that brought the game to a standstill.

As Northampton got word of the change in circumstances and chased a fourth goal, succeeding only in having goalkeeper Liam Roberts sent off, Barton and Rovers owner Wael al-Qadi pleaded with fans to stay off the pitch, having been warned the match could be abandoned.

Eventually, play resumed and Rovers held on for their joint-record margin of victory and a scarcely believable promotion to the third tier.