Parker fires West Ham past Oxford

SCOTT PARKER spared West Ham’s blushes by scoring their winner against League Two outfit Oxford with a right-foot shot deep into injury time to send the Hammers through to the third round of the Carling Cup.

On-loan striker Mame Biram Diouf scored a hat-trick as Blackburn beat Norwich 3-1 at Ewood Park.

The Senegal international, who arrived from Manchester United earlier this month, marked his full Rovers debut heading the opener on 29 minutes. The 22-year-old stabbed home his second 11 minutes from time and nodding in a third before Jens Berthal Askou’s 90th-minute consolation.

Jon Walters helped steer Stoke into the third round of the Carling Cup with his first goal for the club. The former Ipswich forward, who arrived last week, made the breakthrough in the 26th minute.

Eleven minutes later Tuncay added a second, both goals coming from headers, while Steve Leslie replied for the League Two side.

Pablo Ibanez scored his first goal for West Brom as the Premier League side came through last night’s tie 2-0 at Leyton Orient.

Ibanez – signed from Atletico Madrid in the summer – headed in on 12 minutes for a much-changed Baggies side, with substitute Chris Wood slotting home a second during stoppage time.

Jordi Gomez fired a stunning late free-kick to finally breathe fire into Wigan’s season as they cruised to a 3-0 Carling Cup win at Hartlepool.

Sam Collins’ third minute own goal eased the pressure on boss Roberto Martinez but former Cork City Joe Gamble missed a fine chance to equalise for the home side.

As Hartlepool tired, Gomez slammed his 25-yard free-kick home off the underside of the bar and substitute Victor Moses added the third four minutes from time.

Richard Stearman struck in the final minute of extra-time to give Wolves a 2-1 victory over Southend in the Carling Cup second round.

Wolves took the lead through Nenad Milijas’ first-half penalty after Sam Winnall was fouled by Chris Barker.

Shrimpers captain Craig Easton pulled back a deserved equaliser for the npower League Two side in the 80th minute, but Stearman had the final say after an additional 30 minutes.

Colchester keeper Mark Cousins gifted England international Darren Bent a double as Sunderland eased to a 2-0 win last night.

Errors from Cousins allowed Bent to strike after 20 and 37 minutes and secure the Black Cats’ first victory of the season.

Ivan Klasnic marked his first start since rejoining Bolton by scoring the only goal for Owen Coyle’s much-changed side against Southampton.

A diving header from Marcus Bean two minutes from time saw Brentford into the third round of the Carling Cup with a deserved 2-1 win over npower Championship side Hull.

The midfielder stooped low in the box 10 yards out to power Charlie MacDonald’s cross into the bottom corner to send the Griffin Park crowd wild.

Elsewhere Steve Morison and Liam Trotter struck first-half goals as Millwall defeated Middlesbrough 2-1 at the New Den. Scott McDonald got Middlesbrough’s consolation.

David Norris struck 11 minutes into extra time as Roy Keane’s Ipswich finally overcame Crewe at Gresty Road after a 0-0 draw.

Former Dutch international Edgar Davids made his debut for Crystal Palace but they suffered penalty heartbreak against Pompey winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

A late penalty from Steve Howard helped Leicester come from behind to beat Leeds 2-1 at Elland Road and book a place in the Carling Cup third round.