Exeter City beat Bristol Rovers 5-3 in a game where they led 5-0 at half time to win Group E, with Chelsea Under 21s going through as runners-up, while Forest Green’s 2-0 win at Walsall lifted them to the top of Group D with Walsall dropping to second. 

In addition, West Ham Under 21s, who finished top of Group A, were today found to have fielded an ineligible player in their recent win against Gillingham, and have had three points deducted, meaning that they drop to third place, with Ipswich now group winners and Colchester runners-up.

As winners of Group B, we will have a home draw in the first knockout round against one of the runners-up from the other seven southern groups, who were Colchester United, MK Dons, Walsall, Chelsea Under 21s, Arsenal Under 21s, Charlton Athletic and Stevenage. The draw is on Saturday after the lunchtime game between Port Vale and Bradford, which is live on Sky.