On his return from suspension, Marcus took less than two minutes to lash home on the volley, taking his tally to four goals in five games for The Dons. Two further goals before the half-hour seemed to have the points wrapped up. However, visitors Rochdale made it 3-1 midway through the second-half and then set up a nervy finale with a second in injury-time. AFC head to fellow strugglers Southend United next Saturday.

Another striker on target on Saturday was Halil Dervişoğlu. The Sparta Rotterdam frontman, who will arrive in West London in January, also took his tally to four for the season as he opened the scoring against FC Twente in the Eredivisie. The 19-year-old sprung the offside trap and calmly rolled home under the Twente goalkeeper three minutes after the restart. Twente levelled immediately but Bryan Smeets grabbed an 88th minute winner to send Sparta up to fifth ahead their trip to FC Groningen in a fortnight’s time.

Emiliano Marcondes also found the net on Sunday, scoring the opening as FC Midtjylland won 2-1 on the road at Silkeborg. Emiliano broke free on the half-hour and slid home Evander’s through ball. Eric Sviatchenko made it 2-0 after the break with bottom-of-the-table Silkeborg netting an injury-time consolation goal. Copenhagen’s loss means FCM go into the international break four points clear at the top of the table,

Elsewhere, Canice Carroll was an unused substitute as Carlisle United lost to a 90th minute goal on the road at Newport County in Sky Bet League Two. There were contrasting late emotions for Justin Shaibu, who watched on as Boreham Wood netted in injury-time at home to Solihull Moors in the National League. Boreham Wood are next in action on Tuesday away at Barrow while The Cumbrians host Crewe Alexandra next Saturday.

In Scotland, Reece Cole played the final 27 minutes as Partick Thistle were beaten 1-0 at home by Queen of the South. Thistle have a break from their Scottish Championship relegation battle next Saturday when they host Connah’s Quay Nomads in the Fourth Round of the Scottish Challenge Cup.

In Denmark, Ellery Balcombe kept his first clean sheet for Viborg FF as they beat FC Roskilde 2-0 on Sunday in the NordicBet LIGA. The two goals came in the opening 13 minutes as VFF stay third, three points off top with a game in hand.