Carlisle forward Jordan Jones forward has made an impression in the early stages, that's for sure.

He picks up a yellow just seven minutes in for a pull back and then tries to make amends by going for a shot a little later on.

His effort flies high though.

Alan Tonge
Former Exeter midfielder on BBC Radio Devon

A really disappointing start for Exeter, the shot was flying past Joe Whitworth before he knew it.

Burton were perhaps fortunate to get given the free kick in the first place but Exeter are going to have to come from behind now.

As well as that goal at Swindon we have another very early goal to report in League Two.

Chesterfield lead AFC Wimbledon through Armando Dobra's lovely finish.

Goalless everywhere else.

Shrewsbury only announced the signing of goalkeeper Jamal Blackman this morning, but he is straight into the team.

The goalie may not know the names of all his team-mates, yet!

Adam Cottier
BBC Sport

With Walsall missing Jamille Matt through suspension, Walsall boss Mat Sadler has opted to pick Albert Adomah, with the veteran former Aston Villa player starting a league game for the first time since his summer move to the club.

Since 2024 only four sides have not gone on to win promotion having been top at Christmas Day and that’s where Walsall will be regardless of what happens here.

It’s cold and windy here at Harrogate but Walsall showed at Port Vale two weeks ago that they have what it takes to stand up to whatever comes at them - and that includes the weather.

New Burton boss Gary Bowyer is introduced onto the pitch at the Pirelli Stadium and gets a warm reception.

The PA announcer describes him as a league winner and he's dead right, Bowyer won the Scottish Championship in his last job as a manager.

You don't often bring in a league winner as your new boss, to be fair!

If the 12:30 games were the starter, this is the main course.

14 games from Morecambe all the way down to Newport, let's hope for some great entertainment and plenty of tales to tell!

Let's go!

AFC Wimbledon will be looking to build on their win over Doncaster last weekend when they travel to a Chesterfield side who could make it three wins on the spin. The Dons will be hoping their talisman Matty Stevens continues his good form with the striker netting five goals in his past five games.

MK Dons will be aiming to get back to winnings ways after Gillingham ended their hopes of a seventh league win in a row last Saturday. They face a Newport side who have not won a league game in their past six outings with five of those being draws.

Notts County who sit in 11th and Bradford who are 10th meet at Meadow Lane in another game with big play-off implications as both of these sides are three points adrift the play-off positions.

And strugglers Morecambe host an unbeaten in eight games Bromley with the Shrimps hoping to climb out of the relegation zone having failed to do so last weekend.

Image source, Rex Features

Swindon Town boss Ian Holloway wants this win over Grimsby more than any other.

The veteran manager is taking charge of his 1,000th game in English football this afternoon and such a special occasion deserves the fervour of a victory.

But he's not guaranteed it and to make matters worse, Grimsby will be particularly happy to take it away from him.

As befitting a manager with so much experience, Holloway's current side take on a former one and things over in Lincolnshire did not go well.

Questionable player signings, sniping comments in press conferences, backroom quarrels made public; all during a tumultuous pandemic.

Perhaps not all Mariners fans will be wanting to spoil his celebrations this afternoon, but they say revenge is a dish best served cold and Wiltshire in winter seems to fit the bill.

Image source, Rex Features

The rub of the green seems to be evading Carlisle United.

They are at the bottom of the table, have lost two of their players to injury during their defeat to Chesterfield and now - just when the chips are down - they have to visit the second best team in the league.

Boss Mike Williamson said earlier this week that "every stumble feels like a massive one" as the pressure of being in a relegation scrap each week takes its toll.

However, as bad as things seem, trips away from home haven't been so terrible as of late.

Carlisle have not lost either of their past two away matches (W1 D1) and Port Vale aren't feeling so hot in their recent exploits.

It's been four league games since the Valiants last took a win (D3 L1) and now the former league leaders face a potential drop from the automatic promotion zone all together, with three teams below them in striking distance.

If Vale trip here, the fall could feel like a mighty one indeed.

Image source, Rex Features

No matter the outcome of Walsall's trip to Harrogate this afternoon, the Saddlers will spend Christmas Day as the League Two leaders.

They sit four points ahead of second place Port Vale thanks to a marvellous 10 league match unbeaten streak.

Though the festivities may be dampened slightly if that run were to break just as the turkeys are being prepared.

Harrogate will be more than happy to ruin the party.

With Town on a three match losing streak and all the way back in 20th place, they need this win.

Plus they have a pretty good record against the Saddlers across their past eight league games (W3 D3 L2) - albeit not against a Walsall side flying this high.

Image source, Rex Features

Shrewsbury Town look like being lonely this Christmas, as they begin today 10 points adrift of League One safety.

Manager Gareth Ainsworth could probably do a good impression of Mud singer Les Gray, and he'll need to find inspiration from any source he can to spark the Shrews into life.

Ainsworth enjoyed a win over Birmingham - the shock result of the season - but his players have not built on that with three straight losses.

Today they go to a Wigan side buoyed by a big away victory in their derby with Bolton seven days ago, desperately hoping for some kind of change in fortunes.

Image source, Rex Features

It has not been a season to be jolly for Burton Albion. Wallowing in 23rd in League One and knocked out of the FA Cup by non-league neighbours Tamworth.

But now they have a new permanent head coach as Gary Bowyer steps up for his first match in charge.

Ready for a crack with his fifth EFL club, Bowyer's last job saw him lead Dundee to promotion to the Scottish Premiership.

Keeping Burton out of the clutches of League Two would probably be an even greater achievement, so three points at home to mid-table Exeter would be the best possible start.

So the four early games are done and dusted.

Wrexham rue a late equaliser at Bristol Rovers as they miss the chance to join leaders Wycombe on 44 points.

Lincoln and Barrow end long winless runs, while Doncaster climb up to second, for now, with an easy victory over struggling Tranmere.

With those sorted, there is now a little over 20 minutes until the bulk of today's action.

The end of the game at the Mem is marked by a full-on scuffle between both sets of players.

Rovers players James Wilson and Promise Omochere are right in the thick of things, along with Steve Fletcher and James McClean from the visitors.

One suspects both clubs may be receiving a letter from The FA in the next few days after this.

Ed Hadwin
Commentator on BBC Radio Bristol

It is only a point for Rovers, but the manner of that second-half performance, coming back from behind, should show the fans and whoever comes in as manager they can do it.

The second half had that little bit of quality that had been missing, a well deserved point in the end.

Image source, Rex Features

A great point in the end for Bristol Rovers after that late Promise Omochere's equaliser.

Wrexham miss the chance to go level with Wycombe despite leading for over 50 minutes.

The Dragons have won only three of 10 away games, they don't quite have the same ruthlessness on the road as they do at the Stok Rec.