A staggering 47 goals were scored across 13 fixtures on Saturday, the highest-scoring weekend of the season so far.
Derby quickly put an end to two games without a goal by putting three past promotion rivals Brentford at Pride Park. The visitors went ahead inside the opening minute when Henrik Dalsgaard headed home from a corner, but it was a Bees corner which led to the leveller as Harry Wilson tapped home on the end of a quick counter-attack. David Nugent's lob and Mason Mount's expert free-kick completed the turnaround and handed Derby a deserved victory to lift them back into the Championship play-offs.
A former player came back to haunt Chesterfield at the weekend, as ex-Spireites striker Scott Boden scored a brace to dish out a 3-0 defeat with his Gateshead side at the Proact Stadium. Boden tapped home early on before Steven Rigg's curling effort send the Heed into the break two goals ahead. Boden earned his brace just minutes after Zavon Hines lunged into a poor challenge and was shown a straight red card to condemn the hosts to a ninth game without victory.
Alfreton's dream of an FA Cup run was almost over as soon as it began, as the Reds had to fight back from two goals down earn a replay in their Second Qualifying Round tie at Sutton Coldfield Town. The opening ten minutes were disastrous for Billy Heath's side as goals from Jon Letford and Lee Smith gave Sutton Coldfield the start they dreamed of, but the Reds staged a second-half comeback through Peniket and Bacon who kept their team in the competition and took the game to a replay.
The winners of that contest will play Mickleover, who waltzed into the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup with a 7-1 thrashing of Anstey Nomads. Isai Marselia netted a hat-trick and Nathan Jarman bagged a brace in what turned out to be what will perhaps remain the Sports' easiest victory of the season. Fellow NPL Premier Division side Buxton, however, will also have to go to a replay after playing out a 0-0 draw with Coalville Town.
Staveley's FA Cup run came to an end but with their heads held high, with the Trojans being knocked out of the cup by National League North side Guiseley, who ran out 4-0 winners at Inkersall Road.
Matlock's miserable run in the Northern Premier League Premier Division continued on Saturday, and the Gladiators remain second bottom in the table after a 3-1 defeat at Stalybridge Celtic. Craig Westcarr grabbed what was only a late consolation with just minutes to spare to make the defeat only slightly more respectable.
As for Derbyshire's NPL East Division sides, it was a much more successful afternoon. Belper grabbed their first win of September and their first away victory with a convincing 3-0 win at Pickering Town, with Alex Paterson, Craig Nelthorpe and Tyler Johal to thank for the goals. Gresley, meanwhile, made it two successive wins in all competitions as they built on their midweek Integro League Cup victory with a 2-1 win at home to Lincoln United.
In the West Division, Glossop are still yet to mark a win in the league after a 1-1 draw with Droylsden, coming from behind to claim a point through Darren McKnight.
Ilkeston returned to the top of the Midland Football League Premier Division table with a 2-0 win over Boldmere St Michaels, lifting them above promotion rivals Westfields on goal difference but with the Robins possessing two games-in-hand. Long Eaton earned a much-needed three points with a 3-1 victory against AFC Wulfrunians, but South Normanton remain without a single point in the league as a 4-2 defeat to Sporting Khalsa marked their ninth in a row.