Wanderers booked their place in the Papa Johns Trophy knockout stage after a 3-0 win against Leeds United Under-21s.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson opened the scoring, with Amadou Bakayoko and Kieran Sadlier also getting on the scoresheet during the second half.
Lloyd Isgrove made his first start in the best part of a year and looked lively at wing-back, setting up the opener.
Isgrove looking sharp
The Welshman made his first start in the best part of a year following a difficult spell due to a series of injuries.
Isgrove looked lively at wing-back against the Leeds youngsters, setting up Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s opener.
With Conor Bradley suspended for Saturday’s trip to Accrington Stanley, the former Southampton youngster has done his chances of getting a league start no harm.
Gethin Jones played in the wing-back role when Bradley was absent against Cheltenham but Isgrove’s return gives Evatt another option.
Back in the goals
Having failed to score in their last three games, a trio of goals against the Leeds youngsters came at the perfect time for Wanderers.
Evatt will be particularly pleased to see two of his strikers, Bodvarsson and Bakayoko, getting on the scoresheet after calling for more from his forward players.
The Whites have quality in the final third and will be hoping the win can act as a catalyst as they aim to rediscover their clinical edge from last season.
They already have the tightest defence in League One this season, which gives them a solid platform to build from as they aim to keep climbing the table.
Sadlier keeps knocking on the door
Sadlier essentially played as a striker alongside Bakayoko after coming off the bench against the Leeds youngsters and had a positive impact.
He showed real composure for the third goal, opting to go round former Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles where others might have pulled the trigger.
Sadlier has now scored four goals this season in cup competitions but has had to be patient for opportunities in the league.
It will be interesting to see how much of a role he plays against Accrington at the weekend in what could be another tricky fixture on the road.
Confidence booster for Dixon
Joel Dixon had a tough night at Tranmere in the previous group match but reminded Wanderers fans what he is capable of against Leeds.
The former Barrow man made an important stop during the first half to deny Sean McGurk and keep the scores level.
One of his main strengths is anticipating danger, and he rushed out of his goal to make an important clearance at one stage.
The visitors looked dangerous going forward at times but Dixon’s saves set his side on course for victory.
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