League One Chesterfield piled more misery on under pressure West Ham boss Alan Pardew as they dumped the Premiership big guns out of the Carling Cup.
Last seasons FA Cup runners-up slumped to a 2-1 defeat, thanks to goals from Colin Larkin and Caleb Folan, despite Marlon Harewood giving them a fourth minute lead – their first goal in eight games.
But they crashed to an eighth successive defeat in all competitions – their worst run in 74 years - and manager Pardew admitted: "This is the worst patch of my career as a player or a manager and it's not getting any easier. It's not acceptable for me, the players, the club and above all the fans. I'm aghast for them.
"We're out of this competition, out of the UEFA Cup and in a bad position in the league. The responsibility for the team and the results is mine and unfortunately they don't look too well right now. I'm big enough to take that on board and come out fighting.
"You need characters and they must really come to the fore now. If we ever needed our fans to give us a lift it is now - and hopefully we are at the bottom of the barrel in terms of this run."
Chesterfield boss Roy McFarland, who has seen his side also knock out Wolves and Manchester City, played down the victory and insisted that league points are more important than cup glory.
His team are currently 15th in League One and he said: "We hope to do well in all the cups, but like every manager will tell you the league is the most important thing. The players kept their confidence, they kept their determination and we kept the tempo going in the second half.
"They pushed us near the end but I felt over the 90 minutes we deserved to win the game."
There was also a memorable scalp for League Two side Notts County, who beat Southampton 2-0 at Meadow Lane. They have already beaten Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough in this competition and goals from Mike Edwards and Jason Lee earned them another excellent victory.
Manager Steve Thompson said: "It was a terrific result and I couldn't be more delighted for our supporters. For their sake I'd love to see us get Manchester United at home next round. We'd make some money and maybe I could get some of it to strengthen the team.
"Unfortunately though, I've never won a raffle so we might end up getting Chesterfield away and I'm sure they'd be as unhappy about that as we would.'
Leeds Uniteds new manager Dennis Wise watched from the stands as his side lost their fifth game in a row, going down 3-1 at home to Southend. Steve Hammells penalty and a Gary Hooper strike put the visitors 2-0 up, before Ian Moore gave the home fans some hope. But Hooper added his second of the night to seal victory for the Shrimpers.
Ironically, Southend will return to Elland Road on Saturday in the Championship for Wises first game in charge and caretaker manager David Geddis said: "There are a lot of games to go in the league and realistically the play-offs are not a problem if they can raise their game. Momentum has to pick up sometime because it can't get any worse."
Aston Villa boss Martin ONeill returned to Leicester, who he guided to League Cup glory in 1997 and 2000, and saw his new team beat his old one in a dramatic extra-time conclusion.
Gabriel Agbonlahor was his sides hero with a 119th minute winner after earlier goals from Juan Pablo Angel and Gareth Barry had twice been cancelled out by strikes from Richard Stearman and Patrick Kisnorbo.
ONeill said: "That was a night of real drama and the important thing is were through. I think we went through the whole range of emotions and Im not sure any of us would have survived penalties.'
Everton had no such scares as they saw off Championship opponents Luton 4-0 at Goodison Park. Goals from Tim Cahill, Keith Keane (og), James McFadden and Victor Anichebe eased David Moyes side through to the next round.
Luton goalkeeper Marlon Beresford also saved a first half penalty from Mikel Arteta to prevent a heavier defeat. Moyes assistant Alan Irvine said: "I thought we were terrific. It was a very good performance and one we are really pleased with because there could have been more goals'.
