Coventry stunned an inexperienced Manchester United side to send the Premier League champions crashing out of the Carling Cup at Old Trafford last night.

Roared on by more than 11,000 travelling fans, Iain Dowie's side were impressive throughout against hosts including Anderson, Nani, John O'Shea and Tomasz Kuszczak.

When Jonny Evans failed to clear the danger, Michael Doyle sent the ball into the area for Michael Mifsud to give Coventry a first-half lead in the 27th minute.

The Sky Blues deserved their advantage - and while United sought a leveller in the second half, Mifsud doubled the lead with 20 minutes left to play.

Birmingham were knocked out by Blackburn at Ewood Park, but manager Steve Bruce will have been more concerned by a worrying injury to goalkeeper Richard Kingson.

City lost 3-0 to goals by David Bentley, a Matt Derbyshire penalty and Roque Santa Cruz - but the game was marred by Kingson's injury.

Late in the first half, he hit his head against a post after an aerial challenge with Chris Samba and - after receiving treatment - collapsed and had to be taken off.

Local lad Matt Fryatt enjoyed a winning return to the west Midlands as he scored to give Leicester a 1-0 win at Premier League Aston Villa.

Iain Hume had wasted Leicester's best chance when he headed wide from close range when well placed in a half of few clear-cut chances.

But Fryatt livened up proceedings by putting the east midlanders ahead after 76 minutes.

An injury-time winner from Dean Ashton sent West Ham through against Coca-Cola Championship Plymouth.

The game was heading for extra-time until Ashton popped up at the death to fire West Ham in front and secure a fourth-round spot.

David Gold has demanded an apology from Aston Villa director general Charles Krulak for his ''pig in the mud'' attack over comments the Birmingham chairman made about ticket pricing.

Krulak made his verbal attack on a Villa fan website after Gold had said all clubs should drop ticket prices by 20 per cent.

Gold's comments came after Blues charged just £15 admission for their last home game with Bolton and he is incensed at Krulak's choice of words in reply.

Gold said: ''I was made aware of the quote but didn't really look any deeper into it nor this whole issue until the last couple of days.

''I cannot just sit by and not defend myself as I am very aggrieved on a number of counts."