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Struggling Wigan crash out of League Cup to lowly Crewe

Premiership club Wigan were sent crashing out of the English League Cup by lowly Crewe on Tuesday as they lost 2-0.

Paul Jewell's side had enjoyed a successful run to the final of the competition last season before losing to Manchester United in the Cardiff showpiece.

But goals from Crewe strikers Rodney Jack and Nicky Maynard ensured there would be no repeat this season as they secured a famous win for the League One team at Gresty Road.

Jewell had made five changes to the side that drew at Everton on Saturday. And without former England striker Emile Heskey and veteran defender Arjen de Zeeuw they struggled to compete with their lower division opponents.

Jack put Crewe ahead three minutes before half-time with a superb finish from Luke Varney's cross for his first goal since rejoining Dario Gradi's side in pre-season before Maynard sealed the victory in the 90th minute.

Newly-promoted Premiership side Watford were made to sweat by League Two Accrington Stanley before finally scraping through on penalties.

Reading, who were promoted last year along with Watford, also emerged unscathed from a penalty shoot-out against League Two Darlington.

Surprise Premiership leaders Portsmouth eased into the third round at League Two Mansfield.

First-half goals from Portuguese midfielder Manuel Fernandes, on his debut, and Matt Taylor put Portsmouth in control before Danny Reet pulled one back for Mansfield.

Everton boss David Moyes left Australia midfielder Tim Cahill and England striker Andy Johnson on the bench for his side's trip to Peterborough and he nearly regretted his gamble.

A Jude Stirling own goal gave Everton the lead but Trevor Benjamin brought League Two Peterborough back into the game in the 56th minute with a header from Dean Holden's corner.

Moyes sent on Cahill to try and win it before extra time and the Socceroos star sealed a 2-1 win with a clinical finish just three minutes from full-time.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce got some welcome relief from the allegations in a BBC television program on Tuesday that he had taken "bungs" to sign and sell players as his side won 3-1 at League Two Walsall.

Charlton's recent history is littered with embarrassing cup defeats against unfancied opposition, but England striker Darren Bent's second half goal gave Iain Dowie's side a 1-0 home victory against Carlisle.

Sheffield United have yet to win in the Premiership since promotion last season and they only just scraped past League Two Bury with a 1-0 victory at Bramall Lane.
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