Blackburn and Wigan stumble at first hurdle

Liverpool beat Oldham 5-1 on Friday.

With Wigan manager Roberto Martinez making nine changes to his team to give his top players a rest from their exertions in the Premier League relegation battle, Swindon took full advantage to add the latest episode of magic to the famous competition. Callum Mcmanaman put the visitors ahead in the 35th minute but Swindon came back thanks to strikes by Alan Connell and Matt Ritchie.

“This is what I remember FA Cup ties being like,” Swindon chairman Jeremy Wray said. “We had a chance to play our football and we won it on merit. Absolutely superb. Next round, let’s hope it is a Manchester team away.”

Blackburn and their manager Steve Kean can also focus all their energy on staying on the Premier League after surrendering a lead given to the team by David Goodwillie in the 35th minute.

French playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa equalised for Newcastle in the 70th with a superb solo goal before Gutierrez nicked the win after exchanging passes with Leon Best.

Newcastle were without key players Demba Ba, who has scored 15 goals in the Premier League this season, and Cheick Tiote as both are away on international duty at the African Cup of Nations.

Iceland striker Heidar Helguson scored QPR’S last-minute goal to salvage a 1-1 draw at third-tier MK Dons, who went ahead through Dean Bowditch in the 65th.

David Wheater was Bolton’s saviour against Macclesfield at Moss Rose, heading in a 77th-minute freekick to earn the Premier League’s third-from-bottom team a 2-2 draw. – Sapa-ap