VfL Bochum striker Callum Marshall came off the bench to score his second goal for the Bundesliga 2 side in their 3-2 home victory over Kaiserslautern at the weekend.
With Bochum trailing 2-1, Marshall took less than 10 minutes to score the equalising goal when he fired home into the bottom left corner of the net after making a superb diagonal run into the penalty area.
The victory over Kaiserslautern means they have moved up to ninth in the Bundesliga 2 table, seven points clear of the automatic relegation places.
Elsewhere there was a rare headed goal for midfielder George Saville, however it was not enough to prevent Luton Town from suffering a 3-2 defeat to League One play-off hopefuls Reading at Kenilworth Road.
Striker Jamie Reid kept Stevenage’s play-off hopes in League One alive when he scored his third goal in six games and his 11th of the season in the 1-0 victory away to Burton Albion.
In the Championship Ciaron Brown was among the scorers as Oxford United eased their relegation worries with an impressive 3-1 victory at Preston North End.
The game at Deepdale also saw a return to first team action for Brodie Spencer and Jamie McDonnell, who had both been recent absentees with ankle injuries.
Another boost for Michael O’Neill ahead of the important World Cup play-off game with Italy in Bergamo on 26 March was the return to the Sheffield Wednesday team of goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who had missed the last 10 matches with a shoulder injury.
Charles played the full 90 minutes for the already relegated Owls as they lost their Championship clash with Derby County at Pride Park by two goals to one.
In the sixth round of the FA Cup Northern Ireland U21 winger Kieran Morrison played the final four minutes of Liverpool’s 3-1 victory at fellow Premier League outfit Wolves.
However, there was disappointment for Norwich City defender Ruairi McConville as the Canaries suffered a 3-0 defeat at Leeds United and also for Daniel Ballard, who was in the Sunderland side which exited the competition after suffering a shock single-goal defeat to League One strugglers Port Vale.
Meanwhile, former Linfield player Cole Brannigan, who has scored twice in 11 outings for Aston Villa U21s this term, has signed a new contract with the Premier League side.
Speaking to the Villa website, Academy Manager Mark Harrison said: “We are delighted to see Cole sign an extension to his contract.
“He was a key performer in the Under-18s last season, and played a significant part in their success with his goals and assists.
“He is a technically efficient, creative player who links and combines the game well. We look forward to seeing how he develops over the coming seasons.”
In Scotland 19-year-old midfielder Callum Burnside made it four goals in three games after hitting a brace for Alloa Athletic in their 2-1 League One win at home to Kelty Hearts.
Former Cliftonville defender Shea Kearney was used as a substitute as Championship side Dunfermline Athletic, managed by former Northern Ireland international Neil Lennon, recorded a surprise 3-0 win at home to Premiership outfit Aberdeen.
On the youth front Kieran Morrison scored his 12th of the season for Liverpool U21s, while Ceadach O’Neill found the net in Arsenal U21s' 2-2 draw with Norwich City.
In the U18 Premier League Freddie Murdock, son of former international defender Colin, scored his second of the season for Everton in their 5-0 demolition of Burnley.
Finally, Eoin Toal provided assists for two of Bolton Wanderers' three late goals as they defeated Wycombe Wanderers 3-2 in League One, and Josh Magennis assisted Exeter City’s consolation goal in the 2-1 reverse at Barnsley.
