Eagles downed by determined Rovers
Peter Taylor's side were forced into an early exit
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Tuesday, 14, Aug 2007 10:57
Championship side Crystal Palace were the highest-profile victims of the Carling Cup first round after they were beaten 4-1 on penalties away to Bristol Rovers.
Dougie Freedman's first-half strike was cancelled out by a goal from Craig Disley but neither side was able to engineer a breakthrough in normal or extra-time.
The League One side then held their nerve from the spot to win the shoot-out 4-1 and dump the Eagles out at the earliest opportunity.
Preston and Queens Park Rangers have also been relieved one set of cup distractions after they fell to 2-1 defeats at the hands of lower-league Morecambe and Leyton Orient respectively.
Scunthorpe came unstuck at home after ten-man Hartlepool were carried to a 2-1 victory by David Foley's double in the final 20 minutes.
Cardiff scraped through against Brighton after defender Roger Johnson scored the tie's only goal deep into extra-time.
It seemed that the Bluebirds were set to waste their dominance and have their fate decided from 12 yards before Johnson's towering header finally downed a determined Gulls side.
Coventry City advanced without such drama as they swept aside Notts County 3-0 at the Ricoh Arena with Dele Adebola, Leon Best and Robbie Simpson getting on the scoresheet.
Norwich made similarly short work of League Two Barnet as they raced into a 5-0 lead after just 31 minutes.
Jamie Cureton scored a brace before Simon Lappin, Mark Fotheringham and Darel Russell all found the net.
The Bees pulled back two goals in the second half through Jason Punchton and Adam Birchill but a complete comeback was never on the cards.
There were more routine wins for West Brom, Charlton, Sheffield United, Watford and Leeds as they avoided any slip-ups on their way to the next stage.