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Carabao Cup: Dream debut for Zak Gilsenan in Blackburn win

Zak Gilsenan (right) was named man of the match on his Blackburn debut
Zak Gilsenan (right) was named man of the match on his Blackburn debut

Ireland Under-19 international Zak Gilsenan scored on his competitive debut for Blackburn Rovers as they came out on the right side of a seven-goal Carabao Cup thriller, beating Walsall 4-3 at Ewood Park.

The former Barcelona and Liverpool youth, who has also represented Australia at youth level, grabbed the equaliser in the 21st minute after fellow Ireland underage international Oisin McEntee put the visitors ahead two minutes earlier.

Former Bohemians man Ross Tierney, on loan from Motherwell, added a second for Walsall, before Niall Ennis, Jake Garrett and John Buckley put Rovers in control.

The fourth Irish goalscorer of the night, Ronan Maher, gave Walsall hope as he bagged their third in the 84th minute, however, the home side held on and progressed to the next round.

Ireland Under-21 defender Sean Roughan netted Lincoln's opener as the Imps enjoyed a 2-0 away win at Notts County, while JJ Kayode was another Irish scorer in an action-packed night of Carabao Cup action as Rotherham drew 1-1 with Morecambe, before securing their place in the next round on penalties, and Cian Hayes was on target for Fleetwood in their 3-2 defeat by Port Vale.

Gillingham provided the biggest shock of the first round by knocking out last season’s semi-finalists Southampton.

Ashley Nadesan’s goal and a Robbie McKenzie double saw the League Two side beat the team just relegated from the Premier League 3-1 at Priestfield.

Saints boss Russell Martin made 11 changes from the side that won at Sheffield Wednesday on Friday, but it backfired spectacularly despite a late consolation from substitute Carlos Alcaraz.

Hull were also Championship casualties, beaten 2-1 by League Two Doncaster thanks to two goals from George Miller after Oscar Estupinan had given the Tigers the lead.

Millwall joined them through the exit after two goals from Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and further strikes from Charlie Savage and Mamadi Camara gave troubled Reading a thumping 4-0 win at The Den.

Ross Tierney wheels away to celebrate his goal for Walsall

Three Championship sides were dumped out on penalties by lower-division clubs. Sunderland lost the shoot-out 5-3 to Crewe after a 1-1 draw, Stevenage held their nerve to knock out Watford and Salford took the scalp of Preston.

Sheffield Wednesday needed a Tyreeq Bakinson equaliser seven minutes into stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw with Stockport, with the Owls winning the penalty shoot-out 4-1.

Aiden Marsh left it even later, equalising for Barnsley in the 98th minute to earn a 2-2 draw with Tranmere, but League Two Rovers triumphed 7-6 on spot-kicks.

League Two Newport fought back from a goal down to beat League One Charlton 3-1.

Newly promoted Wrexham, playing their first League Cup tie since 2007, went through on penalties after a goalless draw at home to Wigan.

Peterborough won on spot-kicks after a 1-1 draw with Swindon, and Sutton were also victorious from 12 yards after a 2-2 draw with Cambridge, while Bradford saw off League Two rivals Accrington 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

Stoke beat West Brom 2-1 and Middlesbrough won the other all-Championship clash at Huddersfield 3-2.

Joel Piroe struck twice to give new Swansea boss Michael Duff his first win, 3-0 at home to Northampton, and two goals from Juninho Bacuna saw Birmingham through with a 2-0 success at Cheltenham.

There were also wins for Blackpool, Bolton, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Exeter, Mansfield, Wycombe and Harrogate.

Additional reporting by PA

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