Football League Trophy roundup: Sheffield United crash out on penalties

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 10 November 2015

Tournament favourites Sheffield United are eliminated from the Football League Trophy on penalties, while Wigan and Millwall ease through to the area semi-finals.

Tournament favourites Sheffield United have crashed out of the Football League Trophy courtesy of a penalty shootout defeat to Fleetwood Town at Highbury Stadium.

Terry Kennedy squandered the best chance of normal time for the Blades, while Ashley Hunter came within inches of a late winner for the hosts when his chip hit the crossbar.

Nigel Adkins's side fluffed their lines from the spot, however, missing two of their three penalties in the shootout while Fleetwood converted all of theirs to win it 4-1.

Wigan Athletic will now be the new favourites having cruised into the area semi-finals courtesy of a commanding 4-0 victory over Blackpool at the DW Stadium.

The League One rivals were the only former winners still in the competition having won it two times apiece, but it was the home side that took another step towards Bristol City's record tally of three titles.

Jordy Hiwula bookended the scoring for the Latics, breaking the deadlock from close range after 20 minutes and adding a penalty 12 minutes from time to kill off any slim hopes of a Blackpool comeback.

Sean Murray's 25-yard effort had given Gary Caldwell's side a two-goal advantage shortly after the hour mark, while loanee Yanic Wildschut got the third for his side.

Jackie McNamara was denied a first win in charge of York City as Barnsley came from behind at Oakwell to end a six-match losing streak in all competitions.

Both sides entered the Yorkshire derby on poor form, but Michael Coulson's 30-yard free kick five minutes before half time gave the League Two visitors a surprise lead at the break. However, Adam Hammill scored one and set up another in the second half to inspire his side to the comeback victory.

Meanwhile, League Two side Morecambe were able to upset the odds with their third League One scalp of the tournament so far, beating Rochdale 1-0 at Spotland Stadium.

Paul Mullin got the only goal of the game after just 17 minutes, but he failed to make things even more comfortable for his side when he saw a penalty saved later in the first half.

In the Southern section, a hat-trick from Lee Gregory downed League Two leaders Plymouth Argyle in arguably the game of the night as in-form Millwall made it eight matches unbeaten in all competitions with a 5-3 triumph at Home Park.

Jake Jervis got two goals of his own for the hosts, with Graham Carey also on the scoresheet, but strikes from Mark Beevers and Aiden O'Brien, in addition to Gregory's hat-trick, ensured the Lions' place in the next round.

They could meet Yeovil Town in the area semi-finals after the struggling side stunned League One high-flyers Gillingham on penalties. It was the League Two side who made the brighter start, with Ben Tozer hitting the crossbar from 50 yards before Harry Cornick gave them the lead after just 13 minutes by lobbing the keeper.

Bradley Garmston levelled things up for the hosts at Priestfield, but Rory Donnelly missed a crucial penalty in the shootout to help the Glovers win it 5-4.

Results in full (half-time scores in brackets): Gillingham 1-1 Yeovil (1-1) - Yeovil win 5-4 on penalties, Wigan 4-0 Blackpool (1-0), Barnsley 2-1 York (0-1), Fleetwood 0-0 Sheffield United (0-0) - Fleetwood win 4-1 on penalties, Plymouth 3-5 Millwall (1-2), Rochdale 0-1 Morecambe (0-1)