Carling Cup round-up A-Le

By Adam Marshall  

Carling Cup round-up A-Le

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Teams

  • Barnsley
  • Blackpool

Players

  • Tony Vidmar
  • Richard Walker

Grimsby Town knocked Championship leaders Wigan Athletic out of the Carling Cup with a 1-0 win at Blundell Park.

Andy Parkinson, a cup hero of the past, was the hero with the first half winner as Paul Jewell paid the price for resting several of his stars. The former Tranmere Rovers forward latched onto Ashley Sestanovich's long ball to fire past Gary Walsh.

Although Wigan improved after the break, they were unable to get back on level terms.

Brighton were stunned at home to Bristol Rovers as the South Coast side's poor start to the campaign continues.

Things were going to plan when Guy Butters headed home on 11 minutes but Rovers hit back with two goals in quick succession. Lee Thorpe equalised before Richard Walker dumped The Seagulls out of the cup with a close-range finish.

Northampton Town also caused something of an upset by triumphing at Gillingham. Eric Sabin and Scott McGleish put Town in the ascendancy and Mamady Sidibe's response was insufficient.

Leeds United edged the all-Yorkshire affair with Huddersfield Town thanks to Danny Pugh's solitary strike. The former Manchester United man (pictured) was on hand to score at the third attempt after the ball came back off the bar to the wide man. Ian Gray saved his initial effort but Pugh stabbed home from close range to cheer the Elland Road crowd.

Huddersfield had their moments with Pawel Abbott rattling the bar but Leeds did enough to progress through to the next round.

Ipswich Town made hard work of disposing of plucky Brentford with the scoreline flattering the Suffolk side. Darren Bent's approach work led to substitute Tommy Miller scuffing home with 73 minutes on the clock.

As Martin Allen's Bees pushed everybody forward in search of an equaliser, including keeper Stuart Nelson, Ian Westlake was able to run onto Lewis Price's clearance to grab a late second.

Colchester United overcame Cheltenham 2-1 thanks to Craig Fagan and Gavin Johnson. Martin Devaney pulled one back for the visitors but it proved academic.

Veteran striker Leo Fortune-West levelled matters as Doncaster Rovers came from behind to beat Port Vale. Dean Smith had put Vale ahead but Fortune-West's effort was the spur for John Doolan and Michael McIndoe to score within the space of three second half minutes.

Hartlepool United came from behind to sink Macclesfield with highly-rated Adam Boyd and Antony Sweeney grabbing the goals. Macclesfield had led courtesy of Jonathan Parkin's 48th minute effort.

Burnley were once again indebted to Robbie Blake as they shaded Bury in a five-goal thriller at Gigg Lane. Dwayne Mattis was credited with the opener, although it was originally handed to David Nugent, before putting through his own net five minutes later.

Dave Challinor immediately restored the hosts' lead but Blake had other ideas by converting a 33rd minute penalty before bagging the winner after the interval.

Barnsley proved too strong for Darlington with former Manchester City man Chris Shuker opening the scoring on 15 minutes and Paul Reid's controversially twice-taken penalty securing the away win.

Crewe Alexandra had the tie with Blackpool won inside 12 minutes as they tore into Colin Hendry's charges.

Steve Jones, released as a youngster by the visitors, exacted revenge with a third minute strike and his 44th minute effort followed goals by in-form Mark Rivers and Dean Ashton. To their credit, Blackpool won the second half with Scott Taylor reducing the deficit to 4-1.

Bournemouth beat Leyton Orient 3-1 after Lee Steele had broken the deadlock. Marcus Browning cancelled it out and further strikes from Warren Cummings and James Hayter broke the East Londoners' resistance.

Wrexham triumphed 3-1 on penalties against Hull City after a 2-2 draw.

Michael Keane and Ryan France scored for Hull but Wrexham forced extra time through Hector Sam and Darren Ferguson, with his first goal since last October.

Cardiff City scraped past Kidderminster Harriers on penalties after drawing 1-1.

Robert Earnshaw had already gone close on a couple of occasions before beating John Danby but Kidderminster soon levelled courtesy of Simon Brown.

There was controversy in the penalty shoot-out when Stuart Fleetwood was allowed to retake his spot-kick. Steve Burton had his effort saved, allowing John Robinson to convert the decisive penalty.

Click below for match summaries:

Carling Cup - first round (A-Le)
Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 Bristol Rovers
Bury 2-3 Burnley
Colchester United 2-1 Cheltenham Town
Crewe Alexandra 4-1 Blackpool
Darlington 0-2 Barnsley
Doncaster Rovers 3-1 Port Vale
Gillingham 1-2 Northampton Town
Grimsby Town 1-0 Wigan Athletic
Hartlepool United 2-1 Macclesfield Town
Hull City 2-2 (1-3 pens) Wrexham
Ipswich Town 2-0 Brentford
Kidderminster Harriers 1-1 (4-5 on pens) Cardiff City
Leeds United 1-0 Huddersfield Town
Leyton Orient 1-3 Bournemouth