FA Cup wrap: Sunderland, Blackpool in shock exits

Sunderland and Blackpool were dumped out of the FA Cup by lower-league opposition on Saturday, while Arsenal survived a scare against Leeds.

Goals from Craig Westcarr and Lee Hughes helped League One club Notts County beat the English Premier League’s sixth-placed side Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.

Blackpool suffered a similar fate, with a Lee Barnard goal consigning them to a 1-0 defeat away to League One outfit Southampton.

West Bromwich Albion were the third top-flight club to go out, losing 1-0 away to Championship club Reading.

Leeds – who beat Manchester United 1-0 in the third round last season – came within minutes of another famous upset after leading Arsenal 1-0 for the majority of the second half at the Emirates Stadium.

A Robert Snodgrass penalty put the visitors ahead in the 53rd minute, but Cesc Fabregas levelled – also from the spot – to spare Arsenal’s blushes with just minutes of injury-time remaining.

The pressure eased on Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier as goals from debutant Kyle Walker, Marc Albrighton and Stiliyan Petrov consigned Sheffield United to a 3-1 defeat at home.

Doncaster Rovers earned a replay against Wolverhampton Wanderers after holding the Premier League visitors to a 2-2 draw, while Stoke City also drew 1-1 at home to Cardiff.

Wigan Athletic survived a late comeback to beat Hull City 3-2 away and there was no shock at Upton Park, as struggling West Ham beat Barnsley 2-0.

Everton hammered Scunthorpe 5-1, Fulham dispatched Peterborough 6-2 and Birmingham City brushed aside Millwall 4-1 at the New Den.

Blackburn Rovers saw off Championship leaders Queens Park Rangers 1-0 at Ewood Park, while Bolton Wanderers accounted for Conference side York City 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium.

In another shock, League Two side Burton Albion eliminated Championship outfit Middlesbrough with a 2-1 win at the Pirelli Stadium.

Trailing 1-0 with eight minutes remaining, Burton’s Shaun Harrad struck twice to seal a memorable upset victory.

In other results, League One outfit Brighton and Hove Albion defeated Portsmouth 3-1, while League Two club Sheffield Wednesday cruised to a 3-0 win over Championship side Bristol City.

Burnley enjoyed a 4-2 win over Port Vale, Coventry City were 2-1 winners over Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town ended Dover’s run with a 2-0 win at The Galpharm Stadium.

Lleyton Orient won 1-0 against Norwich, while Nottingham Forest beat Preston North End 2-1.

Swansea strolled to a 4-0 win over Colchester, Torquay were too good for Carlisle 1-0, and a brace from Marvin Sordell helped Watford to a 4-1 win over Hartlepool.

In their second-round replay, Hereford United scraped past Lincoln City with a 4-3 win away from home.