David Kelly hit a second-half hat-trick as underdogs Tranmere rocked Premiership strugglers Coventry with a 5-1 win in the first-leg of the Worthington Cup.

The visitors must have felt comfortable at the interval after skipper Gary McAllister had given them the lead.

But the First Division side hit an astonishing five goals in the second half to make themselves favourites to progress to the third round.

Scott Taylor equalised after the break before Kelly added two more. City were reduced to ten men with the score at 3-1 when David Burrows was sent off.

Tranmere made the most of the man advantage as Kelly got his third and then set up Taylor for his second and Rovers' fifth.

Oxford 1-1 Everton

Everton had stand-in striker Danny Cadamarteri to thank for escaping a second-round scare at Oxford United.

Oxford took the lead just 21 minutes into the tie when Matt Murphy headed home a Joey Beauchamp free-kick.

But Cadamerteri, making his first start of the season, pounced in the 29th minute after good work from substitute Mitch Ward to level the scores.

Chesterfield 0-0 Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough ran up against their old FA Cup tormentors as they limped to an away goalless draw.

The Second Division side repeated the spirited performance that saw them draw 3-3 with Boro two years ago but failed to find the net despite second-half pressure.

Mark Summerbell had to head off the line and Mark Schwarzer made three fine saves to keep the would-be giant-killers out.

Paul Gasgoinge came closest for Boro but he limped off injured.

Chester 0-1 Aston Villa

Aston Villa needed 78 minutes to score against lowly Chester City.

Lee Hendrie's penalty was saved by Wayne Brown but he followed in to fire home the re-bound.

Earlier Luke Beckett and Neil Bennett had come close to opening the scoring for Chester.

Hull 1-5 Liverpool

Danny Murphy celebrated his return to Liverpool's line-up after a nine-month absence with his first goals for the club.

Murphy fired home a 20-yard drive and then side-footed home a simple tap-in as the Hull defence seemed pre-occupied by England striker Michael Owen.

Gary Brabin hit a post for Hull before Erik Meijer netted his first for the Reds.

David Brown's volley raised a cheer among the home supporters but Meijer restored Liverpool's commanding three goal lead with a delicate chip.

Defender Steve Staunton completed the rout with a sweetly struck fifth.

Sunderland 3-2 Walsall Peter Reid's Sunderland twice came back from behind to avoid embarrassment against Walsall.

Gabor Bukran beat Andy Marriott with a fierce 25-yard drive to put Walsall ahead but Daniele Dichio volleyed a stunning equaliser.

Alex Rae scored an own-goal to put Walsall ahead again - until Tony Barras did the same at the other end to level the scores.

Darren Williams spared Sunderland with a headed winner with 15 minutes to go.

Watford 2-0 Wigan

Watford scored their first goal in nearly six hours of football to earn a commanding first-leg advantage over ambitious Wigan.

Wigan, who believe they can reach the Premiership in two seasons, caused early problems and hit the woodwork with a Michael O'Neill header.

But in the second-half sub Clinton Easton ended Watford's drought with a 25-yard drive and he set up Micah Hyde for their second.

Cardiff 1-1 Wimbledon

Cardiff made life tough for Wimbledon as the Dons struggled to a draw at Ninian Park.

The South Wales side took the lead after 20 minutes when full-back Andy legg went through on goal only to be brought down by Wimbledon keeper Neil Sullivan.

Striker Kevin Nugent duly converted the spot-kick to give City a deserved lead.

Wimbledon fought back strongly and Michael Hughes deserved his equaliser after Carl Leaburn's shot was blocked.

Crystal Palace v Leicester

Leicester - racked by turmoil in the Filbert Street boardroom - surrendered a 3-1 lead as First Division strugglers Crystal Palace grabbed a draw.

Palace looked dead and buried until the Foxes were reduced to 10 players when they lost keeper Tim Flowers with a shoulder injury not long after he had come on for first-choice keeper Pegguy Arphexad.

Greek International Theo Zagorakis then conceded two in three minutes from Fan Zhiyi and Hayden Mullins.

Bradford 1-1 Reading

Second Division strugglers Reading gave themselves second-leg hope with a battling display against Bradford City.

Bradford lacked five regular players from the side which drew 1-1 with Tottenham.

Robbie Blake put them ahead from the spot after Dean Windass was brought down by Royals defender Chris Caspar.

Darren Caskey scored the equaliser, also from a penalty, after Ashley Westwood fouled Jimmy McIntyre.

Stoke 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday

Andy Booth missed a simple chance to relieve pressure from beleaguered Owls manager Danny Wilson.

The striker screwed his 69th minute shot wide from eight yards with Stoke keeper Gavin Ward back-pedalling.

Gilles de Bilde hit the post from a yard out after Ward had somehow scooped away Booth's header just after the break.

Peter Thorne went close to taking the lead for Stoke but his shot hit the post.

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