Robbie Dale's first-half double had Blyth Spartans dreaming of another FA Cup upset before Championship side Birmingham City battled back to snatch a 3-2 victory in a third-round classic at tiny Croft Park.
Part-time barman Dale served up a pair of delicious finishes towards the end of the first period as the Evo-Stik Premier underdogs threatened to write another famous chapter in their storied FA Cup history.
But a one-sided period at the start of the second half shattered the Northumberland club’s hopes as Lee Novak narrowed the deficit before two strikes from former non-leaguer Wes Thomas nudged Gary Rowett’s men home as 3-2 winners.
Saido Berahino's four-goal blitz helped West Brom hammer non-league Gateshead 7-0 and handed Tony Pulis a winning start.
The England Under-21 international took his tally for the season to 13 as the Baggies netted five goals in 13 minutes.
Victor Anichebe, Chris Brunt and James Morrison also scored to ease any worries after Gateshead threatened an upset.
The bright visitors outplayed their hosts for the majority of the first half and John Oster fired their best chance over. But once Berahino opened the scoring on 43 minutes the result was never in doubt in Pulis’s first game since being appointed Albion head coach.
Swansea City coasted to a comfortable 6-2 victory over Tranmere Rovers as the League Two strugglers did not threaten an FA Cup upset until it was too late.
The visitors could afford the luxury of making nine changes from their New Year’s Day draw against QPR - bringing in six players aged 23 or under - and still progress relatively untroubled against a side fighting for their Football League status 80 places below them.
Their first three goals from Nathan Dyer, on-loan Tottenham midfielder Tom Carroll and Gambian youngster Mo Barrow - the latter two with their first for the club - were all tinged with touches of Premier League class.
Max Power fortuitously benefited from charging down Swansea goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel’s clearance before Bafetimbi Gomis (twice) and substitute Wayne Routledge - either side of Cole Stockton’s header - ensured there was no dramatic turnaround.
An eventful week for Newcastle reached its climax with a 1-0 defeat at Leicester.
As if celebrations on Tyneside were not in full swing anyway to usher in the new year, the departure this week of manager Alan Pardew gave many of the fans further reason to get the champagne out.
As they travelled down to the King Power Stadium in their droves on Saturday morning - 4,319 Newcastle fans made the trip - Pardew’s exit to Crystal Palace was confirmed and they continued in their party spirit at the start of the third round tie, belting out their repertoire of songs.
Their mood was dampened, slightly, just before half-time when Leonardo Ulloa headed Leicester in front.
The Argentinian’s goal was a rare moment of brilliance in a game low on quality, despite the tie being the only one played today between two Barclays Premier League teams.
Wigan are struggling badly in the Championship and could find no solace in the FA Cup.
The Latics won the trophy in 2013 and reached the semi-finals last season but went down 1-0 to local rivals Bolton thanks to Zach Clough's goal 14 minutes from time.
Chris Hughton's debut as Brighton manager was a happy one with very late goals from Lewis Dunk and Chris O'Grady earning a 2-0 win at Brentford.
Championship leaders Bournemouth trailed Rotherham early on after Richard Brindley struck in the 10th minute but roared back to win 5-1 with goals from Shaun MacDonald, Junior Stanislas, Ryan Fraser and two from Yann Kermorgant.
Cambridge won the all-League Two tie against Luton 2-1.
Robbie Simpson put away the rebound after his penalty was saved before Ryan Donaldson made it 2-0, and Michael Harriman’s 74th-minute goal turned out to be a consolation.
Nick Blackman's goal led Reading to a 1-0 win at Huddersfield, while the matches between Doncaster and Bristol City and Fulham and Wolves will be decided by replays.
The latter was goalless, while at the Keepmoat Stadium Matt Smith cancelled out Luke McCullough’s opener to earn City a 1-1 draw.
The start of Barnsley's clash with Middlesbrough was delayed by fears over a gas leak, and it was the visitors who emerged triumphant 2-0 thanks to goals from Jelle Vossen and Daniel Ayala despite having Adam Clayton sent off.
A first-half floodlight failure at Charlton delayed matters against Blackburn, who eventually ran out 2-1 winners.
Chris Taylor put Rovers ahead in the fourth minute and scored the winner in the 59th minute after Charlton, who also had Yoni Buyens sent off, had levelled through Johann Berg Gudmundsson.
