Three Premier League sides took the pitch on Wednesday in their respective Carling Cup Second Round matches. Playing much weaker opponents, there were goals aplenty for England's top-flight squads. Even giving several youngsters a run out, all three sides disposed of their opponents with relative ease.

It will be another trophyless year at Eastlands are Manchester City were knocked out of the F.A. Cup by Stoke 3-1 after extra time. Stoke will now travel to holders Chelsea FC in the next round.

Other Premier League clubs winning replays were Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur.

Villa, who play Manchester United in the League Cup final on Sunday, required two late penalties from John Carew to defeat Crystal Palace 3-1.

By Ollie Irish

Another dramatic Football League season is in the bag (bar the playoffs). Pies has selected its favourite pics of the campaign for you. There are some crackers in there, so enjoy...

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September 2009 - A dramatic sky over the Fraser Eagle Stadium, Accrington, before Stanley's League Two match against Darlington.

Bet 365 is offering 16/1 on Stevenage to repeat their title success of 2009/2010 in League 2 next season. That makes them 5th favourites, below the likes of Northampton, Rotherham, Bradford and favourites Gillingham. Barnet and Accrington are favourites for relegation at 100/1. I think it's crazy that odds can be offered a full 9 weeks before the season even starts, with the summer's transfers and manager changes yet to really get going.

And so our preview of the Football League rolls on. League 1 is in the spotlight today, as 24 fans from the length and breadth of the country cast light on their clubs' preparations for the new term.AFC BournemouthHeadline of the SummerManager Eddie Howe signing a new contract.Ins/OutsINSRhoys Wiggins (Norwich)Harry Arter (Woking)Marc Pugh (Hereford)Michael Symes (Accrington)Steve Lovell (Partick

After who knows how many hours in preparation, our build up to the new season closes with League 2. Thank you to all of the contributors across the three divisions who were so generous with their time and views; we better get started on repaying those favours...Accrington StanleyHeadline of the SummerTransfer embargo.

By Ollie Irish

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Bradford City's Simon Ramsden fires a freekick over the Nottingham Forest wall

A busy night of League Cup action yesterday, with some notable results: Shrewsbury beat Charlton 4-3, having been 3-0 down, whilst Leicester also came out on the right side of a seven-goal thriller, at home against Macclesfield.

Welcome to the review of this weeks League Two action. After a fantastic opening weekend featuring 25 goals and plenty of action it was a more sombre second weekend in League Two featuring only 15 goals. The fixtures this weekend seemed to be matching teams of very similar ambitions and calibers and it showed, especially in the five 0-0's which will be covered in more detail later.

A great second week to League One has seen 31 goals scored in the 10 fixtures this week and plenty of incidents and action to get ourselves stuck into.

As we will do regularly we start with the League One news:

• The football world was saddened by the news of 2 deaths this week.

Now we have passed the 15-game mark in all three Football League divisions, the league tables are starting to settle down and supporters of all clubs are starting to get a feel for how their division is likely to pan out. Discussions have taken place on a good many forums on which teams have surprised, which have underwhelmed and, of course, how our own chosen one compares to the opposition.

Not a long post tonight. I've got to get ready for an early start tomorrow and then a good 3 hour drive up to Lancashire. It's a long trip, but hopefully it will be one that will bring home another 3 points on the back of a good result in the week against MK Dons. It's vital that we switch our focus back to the league after the replay.

Accrington 1-0 Boro (McConville 67)
Highlights | Official Report

No defeat is nice, but when you drive 390 miles, spend £50 on petrol and then have to endure 90 minutes of abject football, then it hurts just a little bit more. To make matters worse, the defeat was to Accrington Stanley.