Hammer blow to Manuel’s Cup bid
WEST HAM were dumped out of the FA Cup by an inspired League One AFC Wimbledon last night. Manuel Pellegrini played a shadow squad, leaving Declan Rice and many others out – and he paid the price.
The Dons, for whom former Dundalk player Dylan Connolly had a fine game, were 3-0 up after 46 minutes, Kwesi Appiah putting them in front and Scott Wagstaff adding a double.
Goals by West Ham subs Lucas Perez and Felipe Anderson made it a nervy finish, but Toby Sibbick sealed the 1988 FA Cup winners’ fifthround place.
Another League One side, Shrewsbury, were left feeling robbed after Ireland’s Matt Doherty forced a replay for Wolves after a controversial six minutes of injury time in the 2-2 draw.
The decision to allow six minutes of injury-time due to alleged delays after the ballboys were removed for the second half enabled Wolves to prevent an upset.
Shrewsbury, who had led their Premier League rivals 2-0, through Greg Docherty and Luke Waterfall, with just 15 minutes left, were stunned when the board signalled the amount of time left.
Wolves, who had reduced the arrears to 2-1 via sub Raul Jimenez, were given a visible lift and saved themselves in the 93rd minute when Adama Traore’s cross was headed in by Doherty.
Shrewsbury boss Sam Ricketts said: ‘I was curious how they got six minutes. We didn’t see a physio on the pitch in the second half.’
Watford boss Javi Gracia made 11 changes but still saw his side win 2-0 at Newcastle, Andre Gray and Isaac Success with the goals.
Brighton face a trip to the Hawthorns in a replay after West Brom held the Premier League side to a goalless draw at the Amex Stadium.
League One Doncaster are in the fifth round for the first time in 63 years after a 2-1 win over Oldham.
Ben Whiteman scored either side of Peter Clarke’s leveller before Clarke was sent off in added-time for violent conduct.