Northampton knock West Ham out

West Ham and Sheffield Wednesday were both knocked out of the English League Cup in the second round against lower division opposition last night.

Second Division Northampton pulled off the shock of the night by preserving their 2-0 lead against West Ham in the goalless return game at Upton Park. And striker Trevor Benjamin was once again the hero for Cambridge of Division Three after he scored last night's winner against Wednesday at Hillsborough.

West Ham were on top throughout most of last night's game but shortly after half-time Northampton star Chris Freestone, who scored both goals in the first leg, was one-on-one with Shaka Hislop but spurned his opportunity.

That looked like the turning point with Ian Wright going close on four separate occasions, including one dubious offside decision when the former Arsenal striker tucked the ball into the net.

Wednesday, with Paolo Di Canio back in the side, saw all the chances created by the Italian wasted at the Abbey Stadium.

The Owls did get back on level terms when Jamie Campbell put through his own goal after 69 minutes but their joy was short-lived because Benjamin followed up his first-leg strike with the winner for a 2-1 aggregate scoreline.

Coventry's Premiership class, however, proved too much for their Third Division rivals Southend as they coasted into the third round after winning 4-0 at Roots Hall last night and 5-0 on aggregate.

Leyton Orient clawed back some self-respect as shot-shy Nottingham Forest again drew a City Ground blank but Dave Bassett's men, already 5-1 up from the first leg had six changes to the team which started Saturday's goalless draw at home to West Ham.

Two goals by veteran striker Mark Stein gave Bournemouth a memorable victory at First Division high-fliers Wolves. But the real hero for the Second Division underdogs was keeper Mark Ovendale, who broke Molineux hearts by making no fewer than eight outstanding diving saves.

Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane was on target for Wolves with a powerful close-range header from a centre by Muscat but Bournemouth won 3-2 on aggregate.

Eddie Youds grabbed his first Charlton goal to ease the Premiership club into the third round against QPR but Clive Mendonca and Steve Jones will be kicking themselves for chances missed. The Premiership side hand a comfortable 3-0 aggregate win.

Wimbledon needed extra time to end plucky Portsmouth's interest in the cup. The man of the match was undoubtedly Pompey keeper Aaron Flahavan whose goalmouth heroics kept the visitors in the game. But Wimbledon eventually won 4-1 after extra time which gave them a 5-3 aggregate victory.