Carling Cup round-up: Vale scale Loftus heights on night of shocks for the Championship

(REUTERS)

Championship clubs suffered a number of shocks last night in the first round of the Carling Cup with QPR, Derby, Coventry and Barnsley all being embarrassed by lower league opposition.

Neil Warnock's QPR found themselves 3-0 down to Port Vale just after half-time at Loftus Road, two goals from Justin Richards and one from Sean Rigg putting the League One side in charge. Antonio German pulled one back for QPR but Vale held on to win 3-1.

Some of the shine was taken off Derby's fine opening-day win at Leeds by their 1-0 defeat to Crewe. Nigel Clough's side included former Crewe players Robbie Savage, Rob Hulse, John Brayford and James Bailey but they will not have enjoyed their return to the Alexandra Stadium, Shaun Barker slicing into his own net on the stroke of half-time to give the League Two side victory.

James Hanson scored Bradford's extra-time winner as they came from behind to beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at home, while David James was on the bench for Bristol City's 3-2 defeat after extra-time at Southend, Matthew Paterson getting the Shrimpers' winner, his second goal of the night.

Coventry were the first visitors to Morecambe's new Globe Arena and they ensured Sammy McIlroy's side celebrated in style by going down to a 2-0 defeat. Andrew Fleming, on his Morecambe debut, got both goals.

Barnsley's poor start to the season continued after their 4-0 defeat to QPR on Saturday as they lost 1-0 at home to Rochdale, new signing Anthony Elding getting the winner. Doncaster crashed 2-1 to Accrington after extra time at the Keepmoat Stadium.