Crystal Palace caused the shock of the night in the Carling Cup third round as Marco Reich's second-half strike knocked out European champions Liverpool.
The Eagles forged ahead when Michael Hughes' deep cross was met by the head of Dougie Freedman but Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard equalised with a well-placed sidefoot shot beyond Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.
Rafael Benitez had called for his players to respond following a 2-0 Premiership defeat at Fulham but there was more capital misery for the Reds as Hughes' ball to the far post was met on the volley by Reich.
Aston Villa had no such problems against Burnley, overcoming the Lancastrians thanks to Kevin Phillips' goal midway through the first half while two Robin Van Persie strikes helped Arsenal overcome Sunderland 3-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Reading won the battle of the Coca-Cola Championship's top two as Dave Kitson's double saw off Sheffield United at the Madejski Stadium.
Doncaster booked their place in the fourth round with a 2-0 win over Gillingham at the Earth Stadium. Substitute Paul Heffernan grabbed a late brace for Dave Penney's team as Manchester City's second-round conquerors made progress.
A last-gasp David Livermore goal helped Millwall secure a 3-2 win over struggling League Two side Mansfield.
Ben May put the Lions ahead in the 25th minute after Carl Asaba headed the ball across goal and Paul Robinson looked to have made the game safe when he headed home Don Hutchison's corner after an hour's play.
However, Simon Brown pulled one back for the Stags (67) and a minute later it was all square as Richard Barker turned in Brown's cross.
But Colin Lee's men won it in the final minute when Livermore's shot bounced up off the turf and over the despairing fingertips of Kevin Pressman.