IT WILL hardly help his efforts to force his way into the England team, but Paul Robinson made an extraordinary intervention for Leeds United in the second round of the Carling Cup last night. With his club trailing Swindon Town 2-1 in stoppage time at Elland Road, the goalkeeper headed home to take the match into extra time.

For good measure, Robinson saved Stefani Miglioranzi’s effort in the shoot-out to give his side a 4-3 win on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Swindon, of the Nationwide League second division, had led 2-0 until Ian Harte pulled a goal back in the 77th minute. Robinson’s goal came after Bart Griemink, his Swindon counterpart, had been dismissed for a foul on Alan Smith.

Middlesbrough were another Barclaycard Premiership side taken to extra time by lower-division opposition. Brighton & Hove Albion, of the second division, held them goalless over 90 minutes at the Riverside Stadium but Malcolm Christie converted a cross by Jonathan Greening to secure a third-round place.

Duncan Ferguson marked his first start for Everton since April 2002 by scoring twice, including one from the penalty spot, in a 3-0 victory over Stockport County at Goodison Park. Nick Chadwick scored the other Everton goal.

Just 5,229 supporters turned up at the Reebok Stadium to watch Bolton Wanderers defeat Walsall 3-1. Mario Jardel, the Brazilian forward, scored twice, including one from a rebound after his penalty was saved. Kevin Nolan was also on target for Bolton, while Paul Merson, the former England midfield player, scored for Walsall.