Third-tier Hartlepool United ensured the FA Cup third round lived up to its reputation for upsets with a 2-0 win over Premier League Stoke City.
Second-half goals from Michael Nelson and David Foley secured managerless League One Hartlepool’s passage into the fourth round at the expense of Stoke.
“It was a fantastic afternoon,” said Chris Turner, Hartlepool’s caretaker boss.
Stoke, in the top-flight relegation zone, rested seven first-team regulars — a clear indication of where manager Tony Pulis’ priorities lay.
Elsewhere, holders Portsmouth were held to a goalless draw at home to Bristol City, while Premier League basement side West Bromwich Albion could only manage a 1-1 draw with League One Peterborough United.
The day’s all-Premier League clashes saw Hull City and Newcastle United play out a goalless draw, while Sunderland gained revenge for their recent league defeat with a 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers.
Middlesbrough were made to sweat by non-league Barrow before winning 2-1 and Fulham defeated Sheffield Wednesday by the same scoreline. Everton beat Macclesfield Town 1-0, while West Ham United ran out 3-0 winners over Barnsley. In a clash between two non-league sides, Kettering Town knocked out Eastwood Town, the lowest ranked team left in the competition, 2-1.
Forest Green Rovers, in the third round for the first time in their 118-year history, stunned managerless Derby County through Jonathan Smith’s 14th minute volley.
Derby, who play Manchester United in the semi-finals of the League Cup on Wednesday, then found themselves 2-0 down when Alex Lawless evaded the Rams defense to beat Roy Carroll.
Rob Hulse’s 40th minute header saw Derby pull a goal back and on the stroke of halftime they were on level terms through Martin Albrechtsen.
However, Forest Green regained the lead 18 minutes from time through Paul Stonehouse, only for the Rams to draw level a minute later through Paul Green, and in the 87th minute Derby’s revival was complete when Steve Davies scored from a penalty.
Saturday’s other third round results:
Cardiff 2, Reading 0; Charlton 1, Norwich 1; Coventry 2, Kidderminster 0; Ipswich 3, Chesterfield 0; Leicester 0, Crystal Palace 0; Millwall 2, Crewe 2; QPR 0, Burnley 0; Torquay 1, Blackpool 0; Watford 1, Scunthorpe 0.
Postponed (frozen pitch): Birmingham v Wolverhampton, Cheltenham v Doncaster, Histon v Swansea, Leyton Orient v Sheffield United.
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