Lions take time to consider options

The Millwall chairman Theo Paphitis revealed yesterday that his shortlist for a prospective manager was "becoming very long" as the Lions regrouped after Keith Stevens and Alan McLeary's sacking to beat Ipswich Town, from the Premiership, 2-0 at the New Den.

The Millwall chairman Theo Paphitis revealed yesterday that his shortlist for a prospective manager was "becoming very long" as the Lions regrouped after Keith Stevens and Alan McLeary's sacking to beat Ipswich Town, from the Premiership, 2-0 at the New Den.

The club is unlikely to unveil a new manager until next week - but after Tuesday's performance Paphitis will not be feeling under any pressure.

"We had two or three men in mind for the job but once the vacancy became known we had two dozen applicants and now we are seriously considering about half a dozen of them," said Paphitis. Goals from Paul Ifill in the first half and Tim Cahill 10 minutes from time gave the hosts a useful lead to take to Portman Road next week.

Derby are still without a win in any competition after West Bromwich Albion extended their unbeaten run to seven games with a 2-1 win at Pride Park. Matters were made worse for Jim Smith's men when Horacio Carbonari was sent off for a second bookable offence after 81 minutes.

The Rams led through Deon Burton's 33rd-minute effort, cancelled out by Neil Clement's header from a corner two minutes after the interval, but a 30-yard drive from Richard Sneekes proved the winner. Smith tried to be positive after another disheartening show: "I'd be very disappointed if we went out of this competition but I still feel we've got a great chance."

Third Division Macclesfield came close to an upset at Premiership club, Middlesbrough, leading 1-0 through Richard Barker until three minutes from time. Then Noel Whelan knocked in a rebound after Alen Boksic hit the bar and Mark Summerbell spared Boro's blushes in the dying seconds to leave boss Bryan Robson relieved. "It's always the same when you play against lower-league teams," he said. "They get back behind the ball and you need to score an early goal. But they defended really well."

Blackpool, one off the bottom of the Third Division, managed a 3-3 draw at First Division Norwich, who scored their first home goal of the season through an Iwan Robert's penalty.

Lee Marshall and Tony Cottee, with his first goal for the club, extended the lead after John Murphy pulled one back but Brett Ormerod's header just before the break kept Steve McMahon's side in the hunt. Murphy's second of the game came three minutes from time.

Wycombe went down 4-3 in a thriller with Birmingham, Wanderers coming back from three down to level only for Andy Johnson's second of the night to steal the game.

West Ham handed Second Division leaders Walsall their first defeat in 10 games when 17-year-old Jermaine Defoe scored a scrappy goal six minutes from the end at the Bescot Stadium.

Third Division , Chesterfield beat Fulham, top of the First Division, thanks to a Sean Parrish goal in the last minute at Saltergate making it 1-0, while Bradford's Gareth Whalley notched the winner at Darlington to produce the same scoreline.

Burnley came from two behind to draw 2-2 at Turf Moor with Crystal Palace. Andy Cooke and Andy Payton, from the penalty spot, cancelled out goals from Mikael Forssell and Tommy Black.

Coventry were comfortable winners at Preston despite having Paul Williams sent off for a second bookable offence in the 64th minute. Ysrael Zuñiga and Marcus Hall opened up a two-goal lead before Graham Alexander pulled one back from the spot. Gavin Strachan made it 3-1 from a penalty four minutes from time.

Wigan have a great chance of reaching the third round for the first time in 18 years after a 0-0 draw at Wimbledon.

Last year's runners-up, Tranmere, missed a penalty and were held to a 1-1 draw at Prenton Park by Swindon.

There were comprehensive wins for Sheffield United, 3-0 over Colchester; Barnsley, 4-0 over Crewe; Sunderland 3-0 at home to Luton and Blackburn who whacked Portsmouth 4-0.

Watford remain unbeaten after a 3-1 win at Notts County and Sheffield Wednesday restored a measure of pride by winning 3-1 at Oldham.

Grimsby's tie with Wolves was postponed because of the waterlogged pitch at Blundell Park.