WIGAN 0-1 HULL CITY

Wigan exercised their option to rest a number of first team regulars, and in respect it served only to emphasise their relative lack of strength in depth, when they were ejected from the Carling Cup by a willing Hull City.

The Championship side were good value for their victory aswell, and indeed they could have won it by a more convincing margin had more of their opportunities been taken. The one chance they did finish came from the boot of Northern Ireland international Stuart Elliott, when he latched on to a loose clearance from Andreas Granqvist, to volley the ball home.

Wigan did have chances but they were generally restricted by a well disciplined Hull side.

MIDDLESBROUGH 2-0 NORTHAMPTON

Gareth Southgate will have breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday night, as the last thing he required was a cup shock, to bring his position back under scrutiny.

Southgate is still trying to add a striker to his squad before Friday night's transfer deadline, especially having sold Nigerian forward Yakubu to Everton this week.

One forward who will have caught the Middlesbrough manager's eye, was one of his own, Lee Dong Gook. The South Korean scored his first Middlesbrough goal since signing in January, when his sweetly struck shot flew into the bottom corner.

Brazilian Fabio Rochemback had opened the scoring with a typically well executed free kick after 53 minutes.

Northampton contributed to making this a watchable contest, and certainly a fixture that Boro will have been happy to overcome.

NEWCASTLE 2-0 BARNSLEY

Unsurprisingly it was Michael Owen that hit the headlines, following his first Newcastle goal for 20 months, a sight that will have brought smiles to Newcastle and England faces alike.

It was an intelligent off the ball run from Owen, that enabled Shola Ameobi to expertly play the ball through for the advancing striker. While the finish may have been a touch scuffed, the way he created the room was reminiscent of the Owen of old.

Owen was later to be replaced by Obafemi Martins, whose agile volley was an indication that he was not ready to be outdone by the returning Englishman.

The game was not a thriller, but Barnsley offered fair resistance, however, there was no doubt who this night belonged to.

SHREWSBURY 0-1 FULHAM

Diomansy Kamara scored his first Fulham goal, and duly sent his side through into the next round of the Carling Cup. Kamara managed 20 goals for West Bromwich Albion last season, and manager Lawrie Sanchez will be hoping he finds that goalscoring touch again in the Premiership.

Fulham were the dominant side for large portions of the game, and it came as no great shock, when Kamara headed Simon Davies' corner in from the near post, with the clock approaching one hour gone.

The fans tried to revitalise the home team, and they inflicted some late pressure on Fulham, but the Premiership side defended well enough to keep them at bay.

SWANSEA 0-1 READING

Reading striker Leroy Lita finally broke the deadlock at Liberty Stadium, but it took 105 minutes before the Premiership side gained the advantage.

The Royals were determined to make things difficult for themselves when Sam Sodje received his marching orders after 58 minutes for two bookable offences, but Swansea failed to wrestle the initiative from Reading, and convert any of the half chances offered.

The closest Swansea came was in the closing stages of extra time, when Reading keeper Adam Federici pulled off a decent save, and Garry Monk's first time shot struck the crossbar and flew over.

Swansea may consider themselves a touch unfortunate, but it is Reading whose name will appear in the draw for the 3rd round.

BIRMINGHAM CITY 2-1 HEREFORD

Blues boss Steve Bruce opted to shuffle his side around, and made 7 changes to the side that beat Derby County at the weekend 2-1.

It was to be the same scoreline on Tuesday night, and once Birmingham had gone into a 2-0 lead, there were thoughts that they should complete the task comfortably. However, Graham Turner's side were not there to lie down, and pulled a goal back after 74 minutes through Theo Robinson, but thanks to a string of fine saves from Birmingham's debutant keeper Richard Kingson, Bruce's side hung on.

Gary O'Connor scored Birmingham's first, and Gary McSheffrey's powerful strike found its way under the Hereford keeper to make it two.

It was a below par showing by Birmingham in the second half, and they were fortunate that Hereford could not find quite enough quality to capitalise on it.

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BRISTOL ROVERS 1-2 WEST HAM

Victory for West Ham was marred by a terrible injury to the unlucky Kieron Dyer, after just 3 games into his new career at the Hammers.

Dyer, who appears to spend more time on the physio's table than on the pitch, was clipped from behind and suffered a double fracture of his right leg.

Fellow pre-season signing, Craig Bellamy, sealed the tie with an impressive double. His first came after half an hour, with a long range shot that arrowed into the bottom corner. He followed this up with a typical Bellamy goal. The ball was played over the top to exploit the Welshman's pace, and he coolly slotted home.

Bristol Rovers Andy Williams ensured a nervy finish for the visitors, but the Premiership side hung on for the next round.

LUTON 3-0 SUNDERLAND

Roy Keane's new found calm approach as a manager will have been severely tested on Tuesday night when his side were thrown out of the Carling Cup by Championship side Luton Town.

If the result and the performance were not bad enough, Keane also lost key midfielder Dean Whitehead for most of the season when he picked up a cruciate knee injury.

Luton had veteran striker Paul Furlong to thank for his double strike and the influential David Bell who pulled the strings from midfield. He fired in the first goal with a free kick that went straight through the Sunderland wall.

Greg Halford did not help the visitors cause when he was sent off with just under an hour on the clock, for two yellow cards.

Luton boss Kevin Blackwell was understandably delighted with his side, while Keane must go away and lick his wounds. It is a return to Man Utd for Keane on Saturday, and it is hard to imagine that his spirits will be lifted there.

PORTSMOUTH 3-0 LEEDS

Leeds Assistant Manager Gus Poyet was far from pleased with referee Andy D'Urso, claiming it was now personal, as to why his and Dennis Wise's side never get the right decisions with him in control of the game.

After Leeds had a penalty appeal turned down, Noe Pamarot opened the scoring for Portsmouth, when he deflected an effort from Pedro Mendes into the net on 43 minutes. Pamarot doubled the lead on 80 minutes, when he headed home a Gary O'Neill corner kick.

Much speculation is surrounding the future of David Nugent, but he made sure he was not distracted from tucking home a cross from John Utaka for his first in Pompey colours, to complete a miserable night for Leeds.

DERBY 2-2 BLACKPOOL (Blackpool won 7-6 on penalties)

Billy Davies and Derby County's season did not improve on a night where their first victory of the season was expected. In fairness to the visitors, they were worthy of at least drawing the game, after Latvian full-back Kaspars Gorkss twice pulled them back from behind.

Mo Camara put Derby in front on 63 minutes, before Gorkss got his first, four minutes from the end of normal time.

Craig Fagan headed Derby back into the lead in extra time, but they did not account for Gorkss repeating the feat.

Blackpool skipper Michael Jackson scored the 13th and final penalty to ensure the visitors had a more than satisfactory away trip.

WREXHAM 0-5 ASTON VILLA

There was to be no signs of an upset at the Racecourse, with Aston Villa crushing their League Two opposition.

Shaun Maloney scored twice, his first an excellent strike from 30 yards, before Luke Moore made it 2-0 with a header just after half time. The writing by this time was well and truly on the wall.

Nigel Reo-Coker opened his Aston Villa account, before another Maloney long ranger made it 4-0. Marlon Harewood also scored his first for the club to round things off and ensure Martin O'Neill was to have a worry free evening.

BRISTOL CITY 1-2 MAN CITY

The visitors are well known for more than the odd lapse against lesser opposition, however, the omens looked good from the start despite Sven Goran Eriksson selecting a weakened side. As is the way for most Premiership teams, a number of first team players were rested, not in any form of disrespect towards the competition, but simply an ideal opportunity to ease players workloads for the hectic schedule ahead, and have a look at the fringe players pushing for a start.

Ashton Gate is a place Manchester City had never won, before last night, and the home side represented a difficult tie following their impressive start to the Championship.

Eriksson's side were quickly into their stride, finding ample space through sharp one touch passing. The inevitable breakthrough arrived after 17 minutes, when Rolando Bianchi's deft touch freed Emile Mpenza to smash his left foot shot into the roof of the net. The Blues continued to dominate the first half, but could not finish the Robins off.

The home side were much brighter in the second half, and deserved their equaliser after 69 minutes when Bradley Orr finished from close range. Any thoughts of extra time were dismissed when Bianchi again showed his class, striking a 20 yard cracker to fire Eriksson and City into the next round.