Jake Turner made his League Two debut for Colchester United at the weekend, coming on as a substitute in their 1-0 defeat at Stevenage.
Goalkeeper Turner has had to wait patiently for his chance to shine at the U’s, with regular number one Shamal George in commanding form for the fourth-tier outfit.
But former Carlisle stopper George picked up an injury as he brought down Elliott List on his way to goal just before the break.
The challenge resulted in a penalty which List dispatched and, despite the Colchester custodian returning to the field for the restart, George was still struggling with the knock and had to be substituted just three minutes into the second half.
That gave Turner the chance to pull on the gloves for just the second time in all competitions since his loan switch to the Colchester Community Stadium, and he kept a clean sheet on what was his league bow – but his side were unable to find a leveller at the Lamex Stadium.
It was a far less memorable weekend for the Magpies’ other loanees, with Lewis Cass’ Port Vale losing 3-2 at Oldham late on, with the young full back playing the full game.
Rodrigo Vilca’s Doncaster Rovers drew 0-0 with Lincoln City in League One, with the Peruvian playmaker withdrawn just before the end of the contest.
Kell Watts’ Wigan Athletic, meanwhile, saw their home game against Oxford United postponed after a number of positive Covid-19 tests in the Oxford side.
In Scotland, both Tom Allan and Oisin McEntee earned starts for Greenock Morton at Raith Rovers in the Championship. Winger Allan was taken off with 15 minutes of the 2-1 defeat remaining, while centre back McEntee played the full 90.
And in the Scottish Premiership, Matty Longstaff made a substitute appearance for the final 17 minutes of Aberdeen’s 1-0 defeat at Dundee United.
Photo credit: Richard Blaxall