Tom Cannon scores but Southampton knock Stoke out of Carabao Cup

Elsewhere Mark Flekken was Brentford's hero as the Premier League side needed penalties to see off stubborn Sheffield Wednesday, who had Cork native Gabriel Otegbayo in their line-up.

CANNON FIRES: Stoke City's Tom Cannon celebrates. Pic: Nigel French/PA Wire.

James Bree struck a late winner as Premier League strugglers Southampton survived a major scare by scraping into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Championship side Stoke.

Goals from Potters pair Ashley Phillips and Republc of Ireland international Tom Cannon threatened to force a penalty shoot-out after Saints blew a two-goal lead following Taylor Harwood-Bellis' header and Adam Armstrong's spot-kick.

Defender Bree prevented a new low in a miserable season so far for the top-flight's bottom club by rifling home from range in the 88th minute at a sparsely-populated St Mary's.

Elsewhere Mark Flekken was Brentford's hero as the Premier League side needed penalties to see off stubborn Sheffield Wednesday.

The Bees looked to be cruising into the last eight after taking the lead through Kevin Schade and bossing a one-sided first half.

But Championship Wednesday levelled shortly before the hour with their first effort on target through Djeidi Gassama's spectacular strike.

Brentford could not find a winner in normal time but Dutch keeper Flekken saved Liam Palmer's penalty to send the hosts through 5-4 after a 1-1 draw.

Thomas Frank clearly fancies a run in this competition and with at least five Premier League sides to be knocked out on Wednesday night, Brentford could yet better their march to the semi-finals in 2021 and maybe even grab a first piece of major silverware in the club's history.

By contrast, Wednesday boss Danny Rohl's priorities lie with the Championship as he made nine changes with Cork native Gabriel Otegbayo starting, but they still gave Brentford a fright.

Brentford's fast starters duly went ahead after 10 minutes when Keane Lewis-Potter's neat flick over the top found Schade, who sped away from Otegbayo towards goal.

Finishing has not been the German's strong point since he joined the Bees in January 2023, and Owls keeper Pierce Charles came out to block his initial effort.

However, the ball ricocheted off Charles and hit Otegbayo to leave Schade with a simple tap-in for his first goal of the season, and only his third for the club.

Wednesday had barely registered a shot in anger, but from nowhere they hauled themselves level 12 minutes into the second half.

Flekken hurled the ball out to the galloping Schade near the centre circle only for the forward to lose his footing.

Gassama intercepted up the loose ball, sauntered forward and, with no one closing him down, launched a low rocket into the corner from 25 yards.

Neither side could force a winner and, after nine successful spot-kicks, Flekken dived to his right to beat away Palmer's effort and send the Bees through.