Sunderland and Stoke scrape through on penalties
Anthony Stokes rescued the game for Roy Keane's side
Also In The News
|
The Football League have ruled out any possibility that Saturday's controversial game between Watford and Reading will be replayed. |  |
Tuesday, 23, Sep 2008 10:49
Sunderland and Stoke scraped through to the fourth round of the Carling Cup after they both beat Championship sides in a penalty shoot-out.
Northampton looked to be on course for the biggest upset of the night as they went 2-0 up against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Colin Larkin put the League One side in front after 21 minutes, and Luke Guttridge doubled their lead into the second-half.
Anthony Stokes pulled one back for Roy Keane's side with four minutes to go and the Republic of Ireland international scored an unlikely equaliser in the last minute to send the game into extra-time.
30 minutes more could not find a result and so the game went into penalties.
Martin Fulop made the decisive save from Leon Constantine as Sunderland emerged 4-3 winners on penalties.
Reading were relegated from the Premier League last season, while Stoke City passed them on the way down and it was the current Premier League side who opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Vincent Pericard.
James Henry equalised from the penalty spot shortly before half-time, but Mamady Sidibe renewed Stoke's advantage with a brilliant finish with his left foot from a tight angle.
Henry got his second of the evening with a fine strike with 15 minutes to go to send the game into extra-time, but that couldn't find a winner and so the game went to penalties.
Stoke won 4-3 as Leroy Lita missed the crucial penalty when he put his spot-kick high over the bar to send Tony Pulis' side into the fourth round.