Football: Shearer at the double

Alan Shearer scored twice in nine minutes to secure Blackburn Rovers' passage into the last 16 of the Coca-Cola Cup last night. This time, Coventry were the victims of the prolific England striker, who has now scored 10 goals this season.

Shackled in the first half, Shearer found space to power home a header from Stuart Ripley's cross after 54 minutes. Nine minutes later, he made room in the box and, from Jason Wilcox's pass, sent a shot wide of Steve Ogrizovic.

Chris Bart-Williams is rapidly becoming Southampton's bete noire. The Sheffield Wednesday prodigy scored a hat- trick against Southampton two years ago, and last night the Saints were again in hell when Bart-Williams collected a through ball and drove a shot past Bruce Grobbelaar.

A second-half goal by John Aldridge preserved Tranmere's unbeaten status at Prenton Park after the defender, John Polston, had given Norwich the lead.

Steve Sutton became Derby's latest goalkeeping casualty when he was carried off after 86 minutes following a collision with the Portsmouth midfielder, Alan McLoughlin. Ten days ago, the first choice keeper, Martin Taylor, broke his leg at Southend. Derby held on, however, to reach the fourth round thanks to a goal from Paul Simpson.