# 1945–46 FA Cup

The 1945–46 FA Cup was the 65th season of the world's oldest football cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, generally known as the FA Cup, and the first to be held after the Second World War. Derby County were the winners, beating Charlton Athletic 4–1 after extra time in the final at Wembley, London. The tournament witnessed a disaster in the sixth round when, during the second leg of the Bolton–Stoke City tie, 33 people were crushed to death in the Burnden Park disaster.
For the only time in the history of the competition, all matches from the first round proper up to and including the sixth round proper were played over two legs, the first leg being played at the stadium of the team named first on the date specified for each round, which was always a Saturday. In the first and second rounds proper, the second leg was played on the following Saturday; from the third round onwards, it was played during the week following the first leg. If aggregate scores were level after 90 minutes of the second leg had been played, a replay would take place at a neutral venue. These changes were made in order to give clubs additional revenue, as the Football League would not resume normal play until the autumn of 1946.

## Calendar

| Round | Date |
| Extra preliminary round | Saturday 1 September 1945 |
| Preliminary round | Saturday 8 September 1945 |
| First round qualifying | Saturday 22 September 1945 |
| Second round qualifying | Saturday 6 October 1945 |
| Third round qualifying | Saturday 20 October 1945 |
| Fourth round qualifying | Saturday 3 November 1945 |
| First round proper | Saturday 17 November 1945 Saturday 24 November 1945 |
| Second round proper | Saturday 8 December 1945 Saturday 15 December 1945 |
| Third round proper | Saturday 5 January 1946 w/c Monday 7 January 1946 |
| Fourth round proper | Saturday 26 January 1946 w/c Monday 28 January 1946 |
| Fifth round proper | Saturday 9 February 1946 w/c Monday 11 February 1946 |
| Sixth round proper | Saturday 2 March 1946 w/c Monday 4 March 1946 |
| Semi-finals | Saturday 23 March 1946 |
| Final | Saturday 27 April 1946 |
       w/c = week commencing

## Qualifying rounds

As with the 1919–20 tournament, participant numbers were down this season after many clubs from the lower echelons of the English football system did not resume after the Second World War. Local leagues across the UK were reeling after seven seasons of competitive hiatus, while other stronger clubs such as Burton Town were unable to survive the loss of regular income streams during wartime.
Most of the clubs from outside the Football League who did enter the tournament still competed in the qualifying rounds to secure one of 25 places available in the first round proper.
The 25 winners from the fourth qualifying round were Stockton, Willington, North Shields, Netherfield, Chorley, Marine, Stalybridge Celtic, Yorkshire Amateur, Shrewsbury Town, Gainsborough Trinity, Wellington Town, Kettering Town, Grantham, Wisbech Town, Chelmsford City, Romford, Barnet, Slough United, Walthamstow Avenue, Sutton United, Bromley, Trowbridge Town, Newport (IOW), Cheltenham Town and Lovell's Athletic.
Advancing to the competition proper for the first time were Willington, Netherfield, Wisbech Town, Slough United, Sutton United, Trowbridge Town and Lovell's Athletic, while Shrewsbury Town had not done so since 1909–10. Slough United's appearance in the first round was also the first by a team from that town since Swifts had been knocked out by The Wednesday in 1889-90.
This season's extra preliminary round contained only eight teams (four from Oxfordshire and two each from Buckinghamshire and Middlesex). None of those progressed past the second qualifying round. Barnet, Slough United and Sutton United were the only clubs to progress to the first round proper from the preliminary round.

## Results
### First round proper

At this stage 38 Third Division North and Third Division South clubs, and Newport County from the Second Division, joined the 25 non-league clubs who had advanced from the qualifying rounds. Chester, Cardiff City, Crystal Palace and Norwich City received byes to the third round while Hull City and New Brighton did not enter the competition. To make the number of matches up, non-league sides Bath City, Yeovil Town, Bishop Auckland and South Liverpool received byes to this stage, with Bishop Auckland being the champions from the 1938-39 FA Amateur Cup.
The first leg matches were played on Saturday, 17 November 1945 and the second legs on the following Saturday, 24 November 1945. No replays were necessary.
| Tie no | Team drawn first | Score | Team drawn second | Attendance | Notes |
| 1 | Darlington | 2–0 | Stockton | | |
| 1 | Stockton | 1–4 | Darlington | | |
| 1 | Darlington | 6–1 | Stockton | Stockton | Stockton |
| 2 | Barnet | 2–6 | Queens Park Rangers | | |
| 2 | Queens Park Rangers | 2–1 | Barnet | | |
| 2 | Barnet | 3–8 | Queens Park Rangers | Queens Park Rangers | Queens Park Rangers |
| 3 | Barrow | 1–0 | Netherfield | | |
| 3 | Netherfield | 2–2 | Barrow | | |
| 3 | Barrow | 3–2 | Netherfield | Netherfield | Netherfield |
| 4 | Bath City | 3–2 | Cheltenham Town | | |
| 4 | Cheltenham Town | 0–2 | Bath City | | |
| 4 | Bath City | 5–2 | Cheltenham Town | Cheltenham Town | Cheltenham Town |
| 5 | Sutton United | 1–4 | Walthamstow Avenue | | |
| 5 | Walthamstow Avenue | 7–2 | Sutton United | | |
| 5 | Sutton United | 3–11 | Walthamstow Avenue | Walthamstow Avenue | Walthamstow Avenue |
| 6 | Watford | 1–1 | Southend United | | |
| 6 | Southend United | 0–3 | Watford | | |
| 6 | Watford | 4–1 | Southend United | Southend United | Southend United |
| 7 | Marine | 4–0 | Stalybridge Celtic | | |
| 7 | Stalybridge Celtic | 3–3 | Marine | | |
| 7 | Marine | 7–3 | Stalybridge Celtic | Stalybridge Celtic | Stalybridge Celtic |
| 8 | Reading | 3–0 | Aldershot | | |
| 8 | Aldershot | 7–3 | Reading | | |
| 8 | Reading | 6–7 | Aldershot | Aldershot | Aldershot |
| 9 | Wisbech Town | 0–3 | Ipswich Town | 4,356 | |
| 9 | Ipswich Town | 5–0 | Wisbech Town | 9,598 | |
| 9 | Wisbech Town | 0–8 | Ipswich Town | Ipswich Town | Ipswich Town |
| 10 | Notts County | 2–2 | Bradford City | | |
| 10 | Bradford City | 1–2 | Notts County | | |
| 10 | Notts County | 4–3 | Bradford City | Bradford City | Bradford City |
| 11 | Crewe Alexandra | 4–2 | Wrexham | | |
| 11 | Wrexham | 3–0 | Crewe Alexandra | | |
| 11 | Crewe Alexandra | 4–5 | Wrexham | Wrexham | Wrexham |
| 12 | Swindon Town | 1–0 | Bristol Rovers | | |
| 12 | Bristol Rovers | 4–1 | Swindon Town | | |
| 12 | Swindon Town | 2–4 | Bristol Rovers | Bristol Rovers | Bristol Rovers |
| 13 | Shrewsbury Town | 5–0 | Walsall | | |
| 13 | Walsall | 4–1 | Shrewsbury Town | | |
| 13 | Shrewsbury Town | 6–4 | Walsall | Walsall | Walsall |
| 14 | Doncaster Rovers | 0–1 | Rotherham United | | |
| 14 | Rotherham United | 2–1 | Doncaster Rovers | | |
| 14 | Doncaster Rovers | 1–3 | Rotherham United | Rotherham United | Rotherham United |
| 15 | Stockport County | 1–2 | Rochdale | | |
| 15 | Rochdale | 1–1 | Stockport County | | |
| 15 | Stockport County | 2–3 | Rochdale | Rochdale | Rochdale |
| 16 | Chorley | 2–1 | Accrington Stanley | | |
| 16 | Accrington Stanley | 2–0 | Chorley | | |
| 16 | Chorley | 2–3 | Accrington Stanley | Accrington Stanley | Accrington Stanley |
| 17 | Trowbridge Town | 1–3 | Exeter City | | |
| 17 | Exeter City | 7–2 | Trowbridge Town | | |
| 17 | Trowbridge Town | 3–10 | Exeter City | Exeter City | Exeter City |
| 18 | Northampton Town | 5–1 | Chelmsford City | | |
| 18 | Chelmsford City | 0–5 | Northampton Town | | |
| 18 | Northampton Town | 10–1 | Chelmsford City | Chelmsford City | Chelmsford City |
| 19 | Bromley | 6–1 | Slough United | | |
| 19 | Slough United | 1–0 | Bromley | | |
| 19 | Bromley | 6–2 | Slough United | Slough United | Slough United |
| 20 | South Liverpool | 1–1 | Tranmere Rovers | | |
| 20 | Tranmere Rovers | 6–1 | South Liverpool | | |
| 20 | South Liverpool | 2–7 | Tranmere Rovers | Tranmere Rovers | Tranmere Rovers |
| 21 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 3–1 | Romford | | |
| 21 | Romford | 1–1 | Brighton & Hove Albion | | |
| 21 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 4–2 | Romford | Romford | Romford |
| 22 | Carlisle United | 5–1 | North Shields | | |
| 22 | North Shields | 2–3 | Carlisle United | | |
| 22 | Carlisle United | 8–3 | North Shields | North Shields | North Shields |
| 23 | Mansfield Town | 3–0 | Gainsborough Trinity | | |
| 23 | Gainsborough Trinity | 4–2 | Mansfield Town | | |
| 23 | Mansfield Town | 5–4 | Gainsborough Trinity | Gainsborough Trinity | Gainsborough Trinity |
| 24 | Willington | 0–5 | Bishop Auckland | | |
| 24 | Bishop Auckland | 0–2 | Willington | | |
| 24 | Willington | 2–5 | Bishop Auckland | Bishop Auckland | Bishop Auckland |
| 25 | Port Vale | 4–0 | Wellington Town | | |
| 25 | Wellington Town | 0–2 | Port Vale | | |
| 25 | Port Vale | 6–0 | Wellington Town | Wellington Town | Wellington Town |
| 26 | Halifax Town | 1–0 | York City | | |
| 26 | York City | 4–2 | Halifax Town | | |
| 26 | Halifax Town | 3–4 | York City | York City | York City |
| 27 | Southport | 1–2 | Oldham Athletic | | |
| 27 | Oldham Athletic | 3–1 | Southport | | |
| 27 | Southport | 2–5 | Oldham Athletic | Oldham Athletic | Oldham Athletic |
| 28 | Yeovil Town | 2–2 | Bristol City | | |
| 28 | Bristol City | 3–0 | Yeovil Town | | |
| 28 | Yeovil Town | 2–5 | Bristol City | Bristol City | Bristol City |
| 29 | Torquay United | 0–1 | Newport County | 4,000 | |
| 29 | Newport County | 1–1 | Torquay United | 7,178 | |
| 29 | Torquay United | 1–2 | Newport County | Newport County | Newport County |
| 30 | Lovells Athletic | 4–1 | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic | | |
| 30 | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic | 3–2 | Lovells Athletic | | |
| 30 | Lovells Athletic | 6–4 | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic |
| 31 | Yorkshire Amateur | 1–0 | Lincoln City | | |
| 31 | Lincoln City | 5–1 | Yorkshire Amateur | | |
| 31 | Yorkshire Amateur | 2–5 | Lincoln City | Lincoln City | Lincoln City |
| 32 | Kettering Town | 1–5 | Grantham | | |
| 32 | Grantham | 2–2 | Kettering Town | | |
| 32 | Kettering Town | 3–7 | Grantham | Grantham | Grantham |
| 33 | Gateshead | 6–2 | Hartlepools United | | |
| 33 | Hartlepools United | 1–2 | Gateshead | | |
| 33 | Gateshead | 8–3 | Hartlepools United | Hartlepools United | Hartlepools United |
| 34 | Leyton Orient | 2–1 | Newport (IoW) | | |
| 34 | Newport (IoW) | 2–0 | Leyton Orient | | |
| 34 | Leyton Orient | 2–3 | Newport (IoW) | Newport (IoW) | Newport (IoW) |

### Second round proper

The first leg matches were played on Saturday, 8 December 1945 and the second legs on the following Saturday, 15 December 1945. No replays were necessary.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Attendance | Notes |
| 1 | Barrow | 4–2 | Carlisle United | | |
| 1 | Carlisle United | 3–4 | Barrow | | |
| 1 | Barrow | 8–5 | Carlisle United | Carlisle United | Carlisle United |
| 2 | Bristol City | 4–2 | Bristol Rovers | | |
| 2 | Bristol Rovers | 0–2 | Bristol City | | |
| 2 | Bristol City | 6–2 | Bristol Rovers | Bristol Rovers | Bristol Rovers |
| 3 | Grantham | 1–2 | Mansfield Town | | |
| 3 | Mansfield Town | 2–1 | Grantham | | |
| 3 | Grantham | 2–4 | Mansfield Town | Mansfield Town | Mansfield Town |
| 4 | Shrewsbury Town | 0–1 | Wrexham | | |
| 4 | Wrexham | 1–1 | Shrewsbury Town | | |
| 4 | Shrewsbury Town | 1–2 | Wrexham | Wrexham | Wrexham |
| 5 | Bishop Auckland | 1–2 | York City | | |
| 5 | York City | 3–0 | Bishop Auckland | | |
| 5 | Bishop Auckland | 1–5 | York City | York City | York City |
| 6 | Tranmere Rovers | 3–1 | Rochdale | | |
| 6 | Rochdale | 3–0 | Tranmere Rovers | | |
| 6 | Tranmere Rovers | 3–4 | Rochdale | Rochdale | Rochdale |
| 7 | Queens Park Rangers | 4–0 | Ipswich Town | | |
| 7 | Ipswich Town | 0–2 | Queens Park Rangers | 10,571 | |
| 7 | Queens Park Rangers | 6–0 | Ipswich Town | Ipswich Town | Ipswich Town |
| 8 | Northampton Town | 3–1 | Notts County | | |
| 8 | Notts County | 3–2 | Northampton Town | | |
| 8 | Northampton Town | 5–4 | Notts County | Notts County | Notts County |
| 9 | Bromley | 1–3 | Watford | | |
| 9 | Watford | 1–1 | Bromley | | |
| 9 | Bromley | 2–4 | Watford | Watford | Watford |
| 10 | Oldham Athletic | 2–1 | Accrington Stanley | | |
| 10 | Accrington Stanley | 3–1 | Oldham Athletic | | |
| 10 | Oldham Athletic | 3–4 | Accrington Stanley | Accrington Stanley | Accrington Stanley |
| 11 | Port Vale | 3–1 | Marine | | |
| 11 | Marine | 1–1 | Port Vale | | |
| 11 | Port Vale | 4–2 | Marine | Marine | Marine |
| 12 | Newport County | 5–1 | Exeter City | 5,606 | |
| 12 | Exeter City | 1–3 | Newport County | 9,000 | |
| 12 | Newport County | 8–2 | Exeter City | Exeter City | Exeter City |
| 13 | Lovells Athletic | 2–1 | Bath City | | |
| 13 | Bath City | 2–5 | Lovells Athletic | | |
| 13 | Lovells Athletic | 7–3 | Bath City | Bath City | Bath City |
| 14 | Walthamstow Avenue | 1–1 | Brighton & Hove Albion | | |
| 14 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 4–2 | Walthamstow Avenue | | |
| 14 | Walthamstow Avenue | 3–5 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Brighton & Hove Albion | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| 15 | Rotherham United | 2–1 | Lincoln City | | |
| 15 | Lincoln City | 1–1 | Rotherham United | | |
| 15 | Rotherham United | 3–2 | Lincoln City | Lincoln City | Lincoln City |
| 16 | Aldershot | 7–0 | Newport (IoW) | | |
| 16 | Newport (IoW) | 0–5 | Aldershot | | |
| 16 | Aldershot | 12–0 | Newport (IoW) | Newport (IoW) | Newport (IoW) |
| 17 | Gateshead | 1–2 | Darlington | | |
| 17 | Darlington | 2–4 | Gateshead | | |
| 17 | Gateshead | 5–4 | Darlington | Darlington | Darlington |

### Third round proper

At this stage 43 Football League First and Second Division clubs entered the competition along with Chester, Cardiff City, Crystal Palace and Norwich City.
The first leg matches were played on Saturday, 5 January 1946 and the second legs in the following week commencing Monday, 7 January 1946. Two replays were necessary, both of which were played on Wednesday, 16 January 1946. Lovell's Athletic was the last non-league club left in the competition.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date | Attendance | Notes |
| 1 | Chester | 0–2 | Liverpool | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 1 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Chester | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 1 | Chester | 1–4 | Liverpool | Liverpool | Liverpool | Liverpool |
| 2 | Chesterfield | 1–1 | York City | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 2 | York City | 3–2 | Chesterfield | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 2 | Chesterfield | 3–4 | York City | York City | York City | York City |
| 3 | Bristol City | 5–1 | Swansea Town | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 3 | Swansea Town | 2–2 | Bristol City | 10 January 1946 | | |
| 3 | Bristol City | 7–3 | Swansea Town | Swansea Town | Swansea Town | Swansea Town |
| 4 | Bury | 3–3 | Rochdale | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 4 | Rochdale | 2–4 | Bury | 8 January 1946 | | |
| 4 | Bury | 7–5 | Rochdale | Rochdale | Rochdale | Rochdale |
| 5 | Preston North End | 2–1 | Everton | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 5 | Everton | 2–2 | Preston North End | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 5 | Preston North End | 4–3 | Everton | Everton | Everton | Everton |
| 6 | Southampton | 4–3 | Newport County | 5 January 1946 | 22,000 | |
| 6 | Newport County | 1–2 | Southampton | 9 January 1946 | 8,509 | |
| 6 | Southampton | 6–4 | Newport County | Newport County | Newport County | Newport County |
| 7 | Nottingham Forest | 1–1 | Watford | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 7 | Watford | 1–1 | Nottingham Forest | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 7 | Nottingham Forest | 2–2 | Watford | Watford | Watford | Watford |
| Replay | Nottingham Forest | 0–1 | Watford | 16 January 1946 | | |
| 8 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–0 | Blackburn Rovers | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 8 | Blackburn Rovers | 1–3 | Bolton Wanderers | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 8 | Bolton Wanderers | 4–1 | Blackburn Rovers | Blackburn Rovers | Blackburn Rovers | Blackburn Rovers |
| 9 | Grimsby Town | 1–3 | Sunderland | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 9 | Sunderland | 2–1 | Grimsby Town | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 9 | Grimsby Town | 2–5 | Sunderland | Sunderland | Sunderland | Sunderland |
| 10 | Luton Town | 0–6 | Derby County | 5 January 1946 | 16,792 | Report |
| 10 | Derby County | 3–0 | Luton Town | 9 January 1946 | 16,629 | Report |
| 10 | Luton Town | 0–9 | Derby County | Derby County | Derby County | Derby County |
| 11 | Wrexham | 1–4 | Blackpool | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 11 | Blackpool | 4–1 | Wrexham | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 11 | Wrexham | 2–8 | Blackpool | Blackpool | Blackpool | Blackpool |
| 12 | Newcastle United | 4–2 | Barnsley | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 12 | Barnsley | 3–0 | Newcastle United | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 12 | Newcastle United | 4–5 | Barnsley | Barnsley | Barnsley | Barnsley |
| 13 | Tottenham Hotspur | 2–2 | Brentford | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 13 | Brentford | 2–0 | Tottenham Hotspur | 10 January 1946 | | |
| 13 | Tottenham Hotspur | 2–4 | Brentford | Brentford | Brentford | Brentford |
| 14 | Manchester City | 6–2 | Barrow | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 14 | Barrow | 2–2 | Manchester City | 10 January 1946 | | |
| 14 | Manchester City | 8–4 | Barrow | Barrow | Barrow | Barrow |
| 15 | Queens Park Rangers | 0–0 | Crystal Palace | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 15 | Crystal Palace | 0–0 | Queens Park Rangers | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 15 | Queens Park Rangers | 0–0 | Crystal Palace | Crystal Palace | Crystal Palace | Crystal Palace |
| Replay | Queens Park Rangers | 1–0 | Crystal Palace | 16 January 1946 | | |
| 16 | Accrington Stanley | 2–2 | Manchester United | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 16 | Manchester United | 5–1 | Accrington Stanley | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 16 | Accrington Stanley | 3–7 | Manchester United | Manchester United | Manchester United | Manchester United |
| 17 | Northampton Town | 2–2 | Millwall | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 17 | Millwall | 3–0 | Northampton Town | 7 January 1946 | | |
| 17 | Northampton Town | 2–5 | Millwall | Millwall | Millwall | Millwall |
| 18 | Coventry City | 2–1 | Aston Villa | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 18 | Aston Villa | 2–0 | Coventry City | 8 January 1946 | | |
| 18 | Coventry City | 2–3 | Aston Villa | Aston Villa | Aston Villa | Aston Villa |
| 19 | West Ham United | 6–0 | Arsenal | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 19 | Arsenal | 1–0 | West Ham United | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 19 | West Ham United | 6–1 | Arsenal | Arsenal | Arsenal | Arsenal |
| 20 | Norwich City | 1–2 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 20 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 4–1 | Norwich City | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 20 | Norwich City | 2–6 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Brighton & Hove Albion | Brighton & Hove Albion | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| 21 | Chelsea | 1–1 | Leicester City | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 21 | Leicester City | 0–2 | Chelsea | 10 January 1946 | | |
| 21 | Chelsea | 3–1 | Leicester City | Leicester City | Leicester City | Leicester City |
| 22 | Bradford Park Avenue | 2–1 | Port Vale | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 22 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Bradford Park Avenue | 7 January 1946 | | |
| 22 | Bradford Park Avenue | 3–2 | Port Vale | Port Vale | Port Vale | Port Vale |
| 23 | Huddersfield Town | 1–1 | Sheffield United | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 23 | Sheffield United | 2–0 | Huddersfield Town | 7 January 1946 | | |
| 23 | Huddersfield Town | 1–3 | Sheffield United | Sheffield United | Sheffield United | Sheffield United |
| 24 | Mansfield Town | 0–0 | Sheffield Wednesday | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 24 | Sheffield Wednesday | 5–0 | Mansfield Town | 10 January 1946 | | |
| 24 | Mansfield Town | 0–5 | Sheffield Wednesday | Sheffield Wednesday | Sheffield Wednesday | Sheffield Wednesday |
| 25 | Cardiff City | 1–1 | West Bromwich Albion | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 25 | West Bromwich Albion | 4–0 | Cardiff City | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 25 | Cardiff City | 1–5 | West Bromwich Albion | West Bromwich Albion | West Bromwich Albion | West Bromwich Albion |
| 26 | Charlton Athletic | 3–1 | Fulham | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 26 | Fulham | 2–1 | Charlton Athletic | 7 January 1946 | | |
| 26 | Charlton Athletic | 4–3 | Fulham | Fulham | Fulham | Fulham |
| 27 | Leeds United | 4–4 | Middlesbrough | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 27 | Middlesbrough | 7–2 | Leeds United | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 27 | Leeds United | 6–11 | Middlesbrough | Middlesbrough | Middlesbrough | Middlesbrough |
| 28 | Lovells Athletic | 2–4 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 28 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 8–1 | Lovells Athletic | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 28 | Lovells Athletic | 3–12 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| 29 | Stoke City | 3–1 | Burnley | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 29 | Burnley | 2–1 | Stoke City | 7 January 1946 | | |
| 29 | Stoke City | 4–3 | Burnley | Burnley | Burnley | Burnley |
| 30 | Rotherham United | 2–2 | Gateshead | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 30 | Gateshead | 0–2 | Rotherham United | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 30 | Rotherham United | 4–2 | Gateshead | Gateshead | Gateshead | Gateshead |
| 31 | Aldershot | 2–0 | Plymouth Argyle | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 31 | Plymouth Argyle | 0–1 | Aldershot | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 31 | Aldershot | 3–0 | Plymouth Argyle | Plymouth Argyle | Plymouth Argyle | Plymouth Argyle |
| 32 | Birmingham City | 1–0 | Portsmouth | 5 January 1946 | | |
| 32 | Portsmouth | 0–0 | Birmingham City | 9 January 1946 | | |
| 32 | Birmingham City | 1–0 | Portsmouth | Portsmouth | Portsmouth | Portsmouth |

### Fourth round proper

The first leg matches were played on Saturday, 26 January 1946 and the second legs in the following week commencing Monday, 28 January 1946. One replay was necessary, which was played on 4 February 1946.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date | Attendance | Notes |
| 1 | Blackpool | 3–2 | Middlesbrough | 26 January 1946 | | |
| 1 | Middlesbrough | 3–2 | Blackpool | 30 January 1946 | | |
| 1 | Blackpool | 5–5 | Middlesbrough | Middlesbrough | Middlesbrough | Middlesbrough |
| Replay | Blackpool | 0–1 | Middlesbrough | 4 February 1946 | | |
| 2 | Bristol City | 2–1 | Brentford | 26 January 1946 | | |
| 2 | Brentford | 5–0 | Bristol City | 31 January 1946 | | |
| 2 | Bristol City | 2–6 | Brentford | Brentford | Brentford | Brentford |
| 3 | Southampton | 0–1 | Queens Park Rangers | 26 January 1946 | | |
| 3 | Queens Park Rangers | 4–3 | Southampton | 30 January 1946 | | |
| 3 | Southampton | 3–5 | Queens Park Rangers | Queens Park Rangers | Queens Park Rangers | Queens Park Rangers |
| 4 | Sheffield Wednesday | 5–1 | York City | 26 January 1946 | | |
| 4 | York City | 1–6 | Sheffield Wednesday | 30 January 1946 | | |
| 4 | Sheffield Wednesday | 11–2 | York City | York City | York City | York City |
| 5 | Bolton Wanderers | 5–0 | Liverpool | 26 January 1946 | | |
| 5 | Liverpool | 2–0 | Bolton Wanderers | 30 January 1946 | | |
| 5 | Bolton Wanderers | 5–2 | Liverpool | Liverpool | Liverpool | Liverpool |
| 6 | Sunderland | 3–1 | Bury | 26 January 1946 | | |
| 6 | Bury | 5–4 | Sunderland | 29 January 1946 | | |
| 6 | Sunderland | 7–6 | Bury | Bury | Bury | Bury |
| 7 | Derby County | 1–0 | West Bromwich Albion | 26 January 1946 | 31,795 | Report |
| 7 | West Bromwich Albion | 1–3 | Derby County | 30 January 1946 | 37,734 | Report |
| 7 | Derby County | 4–1 | West Bromwich Albion | West Bromwich Albion | West Bromwich Albion | West Bromwich Albion |
| 8 | Barnsley | 3–0 | Rotherham United | 26 January 1946 | | |
| 8 | Rotherham United | 2–1 | Barnsley | 31 January 1946 | | |
| 8 | Barnsley | 4–2 | Rotherham United | Rotherham United | Rotherham United | Rotherham United |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 3–0 | Aldershot | 26 January 1946 | | |
| 9 | Aldershot | 1–4 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 30 January 1946 | | |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 7–1 | Aldershot | Aldershot | Aldershot | Aldershot |
| 10 | Manchester United | 1–0 | Preston North End | 26 January 1946 | | |
| 10 | Preston North End | 3–1 | Manchester United | 30 January 1946 | | |
| 10 | Manchester United | 2–3 | Preston North End | Preston North End | Preston North End | Preston North End |
| 11 | Millwall | 2–4 | Aston Villa | 26 January 1946 | | |
| 11 | Aston Villa | 9–1 | Millwall | 28 January 1946 | | |
| 11 | Millwall | 3–13 | Aston Villa | Aston Villa | Aston Villa | Aston Villa |
| 12 | Chelsea | 2–0 | West Ham United | 26 January 1946 | | |
| 12 | West Ham United | 1–0 | Chelsea | 30 January 1946 | | |
| 12 | Chelsea | 2–1 | West Ham United | West Ham United | West Ham United | West Ham United |
| 13 | Bradford Park Avenue | 1–3 | Manchester City | 26 January 1946 | | |
| 13 | Manchester City | 2–8 | Bradford Park Avenue | 30 January 1946 | | |
| 13 | Bradford Park Avenue | 9–5 | Manchester City | Manchester City | Manchester City | Manchester City |
| 14 | Charlton Athletic | 5–2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 26 January 1946 | | |
| 14 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1–1 | Charlton Athletic | 30 January 1946 | | |
| 14 | Charlton Athletic | 6–3 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| 15 | Stoke City | 2–0 | Sheffield United | 26 January 1946 | | |
| 15 | Sheffield United | 3–2 | Stoke City | 28 January 1946 | | |
| 15 | Stoke City | 4–3 | Sheffield United | Sheffield United | Sheffield United | Sheffield United |
| 16 | Birmingham City | 5–0 | Watford | 26 January 1946 | | |
| 16 | Watford | 1–1 | Birmingham City | 30 January 1946 | | |
| 16 | Birmingham City | 6–1 | Watford | Watford | Watford | Watford |

### Fifth round proper

The first leg matches were played on Saturday, 9 February 1946 and the second legs in the following week commencing Monday, 11 February 1946.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date | Attendance | Notes |
| 1 | Preston North End | 1–1 | Charlton Athletic | 9 February 1946 | | |
| 1 | Charlton Athletic | 6–0 | Preston North End | 14 February 1946 | | |
| 1 | Preston North End | 1–7 | Charlton Athletic | Charlton Athletic | Charlton Athletic | Charlton Athletic |
| 2 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–0 | Middlesbrough | 9 February 1946 | | |
| 2 | Middlesbrough | 1–1 | Bolton Wanderers | 13 February 1946 | | |
| 2 | Bolton Wanderers | 2–1 | Middlesbrough | Middlesbrough | Middlesbrough | Middlesbrough |
| 3 | Sunderland | 1–0 | Birmingham City | 9 February 1946 | | |
| 3 | Birmingham City | 3–1 | Sunderland | 13 February 1946 | | |
| 3 | Sunderland | 2–3 | Birmingham City | Birmingham City | Birmingham City | Birmingham City |
| 4 | Queens Park Rangers | 1–3 | Brentford | 9 February 1946 | | |
| 4 | Brentford | 0–0 | Queens Park Rangers | 14 February 1946 | | |
| 4 | Queens Park Rangers | 1–3 | Brentford | Brentford | Brentford | Brentford |
| 5 | Barnsley | 0–1 | Bradford Park Avenue | 9 February 1946 | | |
| 5 | Bradford Park Avenue | 1–1 | Barnsley | 13 February 1946 | | |
| 5 | Barnsley | 1–2 | Bradford Park Avenue | Bradford Park Avenue | Bradford Park Avenue | Bradford Park Avenue |
| 6 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–4 | Derby County | 9 February 1946 | 22,000 | Report |
| 6 | Derby County | 6–0 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 14 February 1946 | 32,000 | Report |
| 6 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–10 | Derby County | Derby County | Derby County | Derby County |
| 7 | Chelsea | 0–1 | Aston Villa | 9 February 1946 | | |
| 7 | Aston Villa | 1–0 | Chelsea | 12 February 1946 | | |
| 7 | Chelsea | 0–2 | Aston Villa | Aston Villa | Aston Villa | Aston Villa |
| 8 | Stoke City | 2–0 | Sheffield Wednesday | 9 February 1946 | | |
| 8 | Sheffield Wednesday | 0–0 | Stoke City | 11 February 1946 | | |
| 8 | Stoke City | 2–0 | Sheffield Wednesday | Sheffield Wednesday | Sheffield Wednesday | Sheffield Wednesday |

### Final

The final took place on Saturday, 27 April 1946 at Wembley and ended in a 4–1 win for Derby County after extra time. Charlton Athletic's Bert Turner opened the scoring with an own goal in the 85th minute, which he equalised a minute later to force extra time. A goal from Peter Doherty and two from Jack Stamps completed Derby's victory.
| Derby County | Charlton Athletic |