Carling Cup review: Steven Reid's latest comeback from injury was not without incident but thankfully the Republic of Ireland international came through 75 minutes unscathed at the City Ground. Reid played his part in Blackburn's 1-0 over Nottingham Forest but had Jason Brown to thank for sparing his blushes.
Making just his second appearance of the season following an ankle problem that put the mockers on his last return from injury, Reid was responsible for conceding a penalty with 20 minutes remaining.
Much to the midfielder’s relief, Brown made a fantastic stop to repel Dexter Blackstock’s effort. Reid’s handball was just about his final contribution as he made way minutes later for fellow Irish international Keith Andrews.
Rovers, who had taken the lead in the first half through Benni McCarthy, held on to reach the fourth round.
David Ngog struck the only goal as Liverpoolunconvincingly edged out a fired-up Leeds1-0 at Elland Road.
The Premier League giants were outplayed by the League One leaders for much of the third-round tie but Ngog netted against the run of play after 65 minutes.
Leeds spurned a number of chances throughout the game as Elland Road enjoyed a big-game atmosphere once again but their lack of composure in front of goal cost them.
Arsenal's young Gunners booked a place in round four with victory over 10-man West Bromat the Emirates Stadium.
Sanchez Watt opened the scoring just after the hour as the Baggies were eventually undone following the first-half sending off of midfielder Jerome Thomas, who once played for Arsenal.
Mexican striker Carlos Vela added a second from close range.
Jordan Henderson and Fraizer Campbell opened their Sunderlandaccounts as the Black Cats cruised past Birmingham2-0.
The 19-year-old midfielder and the €7.5 million striker had the game sewn up within 23 first-half minutes as a much-changed City side offered little resistance in front of a crowd of just 20,576 at the Stadium of Light.
They might have won even more comfortably had Maik Taylor not denied Kenwyne Jones with his legs, or had defender John Mensah’s 57th-minute strike not been chalked off for a foul.
Stokesnatched a place in the next round after a remarkable 4-3 win over Blackpool.
David Vaughan and Billy Clarke put the visitors 2-0 ahead but Stoke scored three times in five minutes to take the lead.
Ben Burgess drew Blackpool level just a minute later but Andy Griffin grabbed a last-minute winner to end a thrilling contest.
Portsmouthrecovered from a disastrous start to overcome Carlisle3-1 and relieve some of the pressure on manager Paul Hart.
Around 600 Portsmouth fans were rewarded for their 750-mile round trip to Brunton Park with a win, but nobody was more relieved at the final whistle than Hart, whose job looked to be on the line when Ian Harte put the League One side a goal up from the penalty spot after only two minutes.
Aaron Mokoena was the guilty party after needlessly hauling down Richard Offiong, but Pompey regained their composure quickly and strikes from Aruna Dindane, Danny Webber and Anthony Vanden Borre — all their first for the club — sealed a morale-boosting 3-1 victory.
Barnsleyadvanced at Burnley's expense after edging a 3-2 thriller at Oakwell.
Jon Macken cancelled out Steven Fletcher’s 22nd-minute strike just 30 seconds later, while Anderson De Silva’s spectacular effort in the sixth minute of injury time gave the Tykes a half-time lead.
Burnley fought back with a goal created by Fernando Guerrero and scored by Chris Eagles, but Hugo Colace scored a bullet header with 15 minutes remaining to settle the tie.
First-half goals from Craig Mackail-Smith and Tom Williams earned Peterborougha 2-0 win over Newcastle, who had Danny Guthrie sent off.
