Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Tom Watson saved all three penalties in a shootout victory over Nottingham Forest U21s to send the Latics through to the knockout phase of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.
With both sides level on three points in Northern Group C, nothing could separate Wigan and Forest U21s with the full-time score goalless, taking the match to a winner-takes-all penalty shootout.
Watson, 20, saved each Forest kick as the home side won 3-0 on penalties to advance to the next round alongside already-qualified Morecambe, who lost 2-1 to Carlisle United.
Elsewhere, Aaron Collins’ added time winner secured a 2-1 win for Bolton Wanderers against Fleetwood Town, as Manchester City and United’s youngsters suffered heavy defeats on the final night of the group stage.
Lincoln City thrashed Manchester City U21s 5-0 to go through second behind Chesterfield, who beat Grimsby Town 3-2, in Northern Group G.
While Huddersfield Town leapfrogged Manchester United U21s with a 4-1 win that took the Terriers through and knocked out the Red Devils.
League One leaders Wycombe Wanderers came from a goal down to beat Crawley Town 2-1 and finish top of Southern Group B.
In a tight Southern Group E, Colchester United beat Arsenal U21s 3-0 and Leyton Orient won 3-1 at MK Dons to advance.
Burton Albion’s thumping 5-2 win against already-qualified Northampton Town meant Notts County’s 1-0 home over Leicester City U21s wasn’t enough for the Magpies to sneak through to the knockouts, going out with an inferior goal difference despite accruing six points.
Crisis club Reading beat Newport County 3-0 to go through as runners-up behind Cheltenham Town in Southern Group H.
Elsewhere, Tranmere Rovers beat Stockport County 2-0 to join the Hatters in the knockouts, while Salford City resisted a late fightback to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s 3-2.
Port Vale beat Wrexham 3-1 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 at Vale Park, with both sides going through.
Aston Villa became the only Premier League U21s outfit to reach the last 32 despite losing 3-0 at Barrow, while Blackpool beat Harrogate Town 5-4 on penalties after the game finished 2-2.
Walsall comfortably beat Shrewsbury Town 3-0 to advance as Charlton Athletic took maximum points from Southern Group C with a 1-0 victory over Bromley.
Gillingham finished bottom of Southern Group D despite their 5-4 penalty shootout win at Stevenage, who joined last year’s winners Peterborough United in the hat for the next round.
Teams through to the knockouts
North
Stockport County
Tranmere Rovers
Wrexham
Port Vale
Morecambe
Wigan Athletic
Bolton Wanderers
Aston Villa U21s
Blackpool
Crewe Alexandra
Doncaster Rovers
Huddersfield Town
Chesterfield
Lincoln City
Rotherham United
Bradford City
South
Walsall
Birmingham City
Wycombe Wanderers
AFC Wimbledon
Charlton Athletic
Cambridge United
Peterborough United
Stevenage
Colchester United
Leyton Orient
Burton Albion
Northampton Town
Exeter City
Swindon Town
Cheltenham Town
Reading