Gaardsoe sets Ipswich on way to worthy win

Middlesbrough joined the Premiership's Worthington Cup casualties last night when the, lost 3-1 at Ipswich Town in the second round.

The Danish defender Thomas Gaardsoe gave Ipswich's new manager, Joe Royle, the start he would have wanted when he put the Suffolk side ahead in the second minute. Gaardsoe started a move from just outside his own penalty area and continued his progress deep into the Boro half to run on to Jamie Clapham's pass, bursting past Robbie Stockdale on the edge of the box and beating Mark Crossley with a left-foot shot.

Clapham made it two with a fine finish from 18 yards and Darren Bent virtually made the game safe on the stroke of half-time with a powerful header.

The visitors – who gave the 17-year-old Andrew Davies his debut in defence – pulled a goal back with two minutes to go through Franck Queudrue.

The trophy holders, Blackburn Rovers, scraped into the third round by beating Walsall 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after extra-time at Ewood Park had failed to split the sides.

It was an exchange of penalties, one for Blackburn by Corradi Grabbi and an equaliser from Zigor Aranalde left the scores level after 90 minutes. The First Division side went 2-1 ahead through David Zdrilic's strike eight minutes into extra time but an Ian Roper own goal made it 2-2.

In the shoot-out, Blackburn scored with all five of their spot kicks and with Alan Kelly saving from Darren Wrack's third penalty for the visitors Rovers went through.