First Division high-fliers Birmingham demonstrated their Premiership ambitions with a 2-0 victory that knocked 10-man Newcastle out of the English League Cup at St Andrews last night.

Alan Shearer saw his early penalty saved by home goalkeeper Ian Bennett before a spot-kick from Martin O'Connor and a second-half header from Darren Purse put out Newcastle.

Young striker Andrew Johnson was upended by Newcastle goalkeeper Steven Harper and referee Uriah Rennie, who sent off Shearer on the opening day of the season, pulled out the red card again before Harper's replacement, Shay Given, was beaten from the penalty spot by Birmingham skipper O'Connor.

Purse doubled Newcastle's agony in the second half when he headed home from a corner, and Birmingham will meet the winners

of tonight's tie between West Ham and Bournemouth in the fourth round.

Sunderland may be scaling the Premiership's heights but their bubble was burst by a Carl Cort hat-trick in a 3-2 extra time encounter best forgotten.

It may have been the evening's only all-Premiership clash but both sides seemed determined to look anything but top flight material during a match that seemed destined for extra-time from the first kick.

Cort grabbed a brace in added time to complete his hat-trick and send Wimbledon through to the fourth round. But the manner of the Crazy Gang's performance will do little to scare their last 16 opponents.

With both sides missing their top strikers - Wimbledon's John Hartson and Sunderland's Kevin Phillips - it was hardly surprising that scoring opportunities were scarce early on. Just two shots managed to find the target in the opening half. However, after the break Wimbledon's direct approach finally seemed to be puncturing holes in Sunderland's usually tight defence.

Marcus Gayle and Robbie Earle put the visitors reserve goalkeeper Andy Marriott under pressure with a series of long-range pile-drivers.

However, despite Wimbledon's dominance, it was Sunderland who finally managed to break the deadlock.

Danny Dichio had lurked dangerously in the six-yard box all evening but had failed to trouble Neil Sullivan with two earlier close-range headers.

However, it was third time lucky as he found himself alone and unmarked to power home Christian Fredgaard's cross.

Wimbledon's defence has been causing manager Egil Olsen concern all season but even the Norwegian taskmaster could afford a smile at the way his side's forwards responded to their visitors' lead.

In scenes of goal-mouth confusion, Andy Kimble lofted a free kick into the heart of the box where Cort managed to unleash a blistering strike for his fifth goal of the season.

After two goals in 60 seconds, extra time seemed inevitable and it was Wimbledon who looked the fresher team after a few stern words from coach Mick Harford.

But it was destined to be Cort's night and after putting Wimbledon ahead with a scrappy goal that mirrored the match, he completed his hat-trick with a pinpoint drive from the edge of Sunderland penalty area.

That killed off Sunderland's half-hearted challenge although Sullivan was twice athletically called into action to repel two further Dichio headers while Kevin Ball's late strike was little consolation.

Stan Collymore scored the winner for Fulham away to West Brom to silence his critics. As a result Fulham booked a date with Tottenham or Crewe in the next round.

Former Albion striker Paul Peschisolido opened the scoring for Fulham on his return to The Hawthorns, only for Lee Hughes to equalise. And the visitors were in more trouble when Barry Hayles was sent off.

But West Brom's joy was short-lived with Collymore, on loan from Aston Villa, striking moments before half-time to set up a 2-1 win and end Albion's unbeaten record.

Whether his goal proves enough to convince Fulham boss Paul Bracewell to turn his loan spell, due to expire this week, into something more permanent remains to be seen.

Arsenal will meet Premiership opposition in the next round after disposing of Second Division Preston at Highbury.

Arsenal meet either Middlesbrough or Watford after goals from Kanu and German debutant Stefan Malz downed the visitors. Jon Macken levelled with a superb chip over England goalkeeper David Seaman after Kanu had put the Premiership side in front - but only 15,239 were at Highbury to see Malz send Arsenal through 2-1.

Bradford's season goes from bad to worse after they were knocked out by First Division Barnsley.

All looked rosy for Bradford when they went ahead against their Yorkshire rivals through Lee Mills.

But goals from Mike Sheron, Chris Morgan and Darren Barnard - from the penalty spot - put Barnsley firmly in control. David Wetherall's late strike was not enough to save Paul Jewell's men from going down 3-2.

Dave Bassett's men are rewarded for claiming a Premiership scalp with a fourth-round tie against First Division opposition in Tranmere, 2-0 victors against Oxford.

Steve Yates and Tony Grant scored the goals to see John Aldridge's men into the last 16.