Bolton suffered an embarrassing League Cup second-round exit as Northampton won 2-1 at the Reebok Stadium, while West Bromwich Albion and Hull also crashed out on Tuesday.

Gary Megson's side was the biggest of the three Premier League casualties after Adebayo Akinfenwa's first half double gave League One Northampton a famous victory.

Megson made five changes to the team beaten at Newcastle at the weekend but still fielded a strong line-up including debutants Danny Shittu and Riga Mustapha.

Northampton wasn't overawed and took the lead in the 22nd minute when Akinfenwa scored from the penalty spot after Gavin McCann's handball.

Akinfenwa increased Northampton's lead six minutes later with a powerful header from Abdul Osman's cross.

Bolton's dismal day got even worse when defender Gary Cahill was sent off for a rash lunge on Giles Coke before halftime. Kevin Nolan's 82nd minute strike couldn't save Wanderers.

Albion's nightmare start to the season continued as the Premier League newcomers lost 3-1 at League One Hartlepool.

Tony Mowbray gave a debut to Spanish midfielder Borja Valero, a club record signing from Real Mallorca, but Albion fell behind to Australian forward Joel Porter's 61st minute strike.

Robert Koren's 87th minute goal forced extra-time but David Foley struck in the 102nd minute before Richard Barker's effort sent Albion crashing to its third successive defeat.

Hull slumped to a shock 2-1 extra-time defeat against Championship club Swansea.

Tigers boss Phil Brown made 11 changes at the Liberty Stadium and paid the price.

Dean Windass gave Hull the lead in the 11th minute but Gorka Pintado equalized for the hosts after 63 minutes and Jordi Gomez's 105th minute penalty put the Premier League side out.

Michael Owen spared Kevin Keegan's blushes as the Newcastle striker came off the bench to give his side a 3-2 win over Coventry after extra time.

Keegan's team blew a two-goal lead at the Ricoh Arena after going ahead through a Scott Dann own goal and James Milner's speculative effort.

Clinton Morrison reduced the deficit in first half stoppage time and Dann struck in the last minute to send the tie to extra-time.

But Owen, who came off the bench in the second half, snatched a 97th minute winner in typically predatory fashion.

Didier Digard and Marvin Emnes marked their first Middlesbrough starts with a goal each in a 5-1 win over League One Yeovil at the Riverside Stadium.

French midfielder Digard struck in the 23rd minute after Mido had opend the scoring in the 11th minute.

Gareth Southgate, who also handed a full debut to Justin Hoyte, saw his side increase its lead through Jeremie Aliadiere in the 32nd minute.

Gavin Tomlin pulled one back for Yeovil on the stroke of half time before Dutch winger Emnes steered home the fourth in the 47th minute. Adam Johnson buried the fifth after 66 minutes.

Senegal striker Henri Camara scored twice as Wigan eased to 4-0 victory over League Two Notts County at the JJB Stadium.

Wigan took the lead through Camara in the 32nd minute. Amr Zaki made it 2-0 on the hour and Camara notched his second two minutes later. Tomasz Kupisz completed the rout in the 90th minute.

Stoke beat League One Cheltenham 3-2 at Whaddon Road.

Glenn Whelan gave Stoke the lead with a 51st minute free-kick and Richard Cresswell added a second three minutes later.

Ashley Vincent pulled one back for the hosts in the 57th minute, but Jon Parkin's late goal put the result beyond doubt. Alex Russell's last minute effort was no consolation for the hosts.

(AFP via China Daily August 28, 2008)