Doncaster Rovers have made it through to the second round of the League Cup by beating 10-man Leeds United on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Lewis Cook gave the visitors an early lead with a close-range finish after Mirco Antenucci's strike had been parried by the keeper.
Doncaster were then given a penalty when Cedric Evina was brought down inside the box by Scott Wootton and Andy Williams stepped up to score from the spot.
Just before half time, Leeds were reduced to 10 men following Cook's two-footed tackle on Aaron Taylor-Sinclair.
The hosts took control of the match after the break, but they were unable to make their dominance count as Leeds took them all the way to a penalty shootout.
However, Chris Wood and Sam Byram both put their spot kicks over the bar, leaving Richard Wellens to score the winner and send his team through to the next round.
Find out how the action unfolded below.
Hello everyone! Our coverage of the first round of the League Cup continues with a rather tasty looking Yorkshire derby at the Keepmoat Stadium. Will Doncaster Rovers be able to cause another shock, or will it be Leeds United who progress by the end of the night?
IN POSITION: We're ready for tonight's #CapitalOneCup match against @LUFC . The question is... Are you?! #DRFC pic.twitter.com/IGrtpIoZIi
— Doncaster Rovers FC (@drfc_official) August 13, 2015
It was almost the perfect start for Leeds at the weekend as they began their Championship campaign against Burnley. They had looked like claiming all three points when Mirco Antenucci struck in the 83rd minute, but a late header from Sam Vokes denied them the win.
There was also plenty of late drama in Doncaster's opening League One fixture with Bury. All the action happened in stoppage time, as Harry Forrester scored a fluke goal from long range, as he attempted to play the ball back to the opposition keeper. Leon Clarke was when then allowed to walk the ball into the net for Bury to ensure that the game finished all square.
DONCASTER XI Stuckmann, McCullough, Butler, Jones, Taylor-Sinclair, Evina, Wellens, Middleton, Forrester, Coppinger, Williams
LEEDS XI Turnbull, Wootton, Cooper, Antenucci, Mowatt, Doukara, Dallas, Taylor, Cook, Berardi, Bellusci
DONCASTER SUBS: Marosi, Lund, MacKenzie, Main, Tyson, P.McKay, Whitehouse
LEEDS SUBS: Silvestri, Byram, Bamba, Murphy, Wood, Erwin, Phillips
TEAM NEWS: Leeds have made five changes in total from the weekend, with Ross Turnbull starting in goal for his debut and Mirco Antenucci also in the side. Meanwhile, there are just a couple of alterations for Doncaster, as Harry Middleton and Cedric Evina come into the team.
It has been 11 years since Leeds were relegated from the Premier League, and not many people are tipping them to return to the top flight this season. There has been plenty of turmoil once again behind the scenes following Neil Redfearn's exit, with Uwe Rosler taking charge in May.
Meanwhile, Doncaster will be hoping to put last season's disappointing campaign behind them in a bid to return to the Championship. They could only manage a 13th place finish following their relegation to League One and they ended the campaign badly, losing six of their last seven games.
These teams actually met in the second round of the League Cup last season at the Keepmoat. On that occasion it was Leeds who emerged victorious, as Scott Wootton, Matt Smith and Ross McCormack all found the net in a 3-1 win.
Leeds have won the League Cup once in their history, which was a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in 1968. However, they have not made it past the fifth round since they reached the final 20 seasons ago. That game ended in a 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa and remains their last appearance in a major final.
KICKOFF! We are underway at the Keepmoat Stadium!
There is a great atmosphere around the ground and the hosts almost give their fans something to cheer when Forrester whips a teasing ball into the box for Coppinger. The midfielder manages to get in front of his man, but his first touch is heavy and the ball ends up trickling behind for a goal kick.
The visitors show their threat for the first time when a flowing moves leads to Taylor getting in down the left. He then whips a dangerous low ball towards the near post, but Jones stretches out a leg to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Leeds have taken control of this match now and they are seeing plenty of the ball. They have also managed to win a couple of corners, but so far Doncaster have dealt with the threat.
Doncaster are given a great chance to get players forward when they win a free kick around 30 yards from goal. Forrester steps up to take it and he curls a dangerous ball right into the middle, but it is defended well by the hosts and is eventually cleared.
GOAL! Doncaster 0-1 Leeds (Lewis Cook)
Leeds have taken an early lead in the tie and it's Cook who scores his first goal for the club. He was on hand to finish from close range after Stuckmann had parried Antenucci's low strike into his direction and it leaves the hosts with it all to do now.
There weren't too many signs of danger for Doncaster in the minutes leading up to the goal, but the Championship side have made their class count. They look much more relaxed now and you sense that they will want to press on and stamp home their advantage.
Leeds are looking dangerous every time they get into the final third and Mowatt tries to slip a ball through the middle for Doukara. However, it is cut out just before the Frenchman can get in on goal.
OFF THE LINE! Out of absolutely nothing the hosts are almost back on level terms! A poor touch from Taylor sees Coppinger go through on goal and he chips the ball over the keeper, before seeing his effort acrobatically cleared off the line by Wootton.
CHANCE! A fantastic run from Doukara down the right almost leads to a second goal. He burst past his marker and into space, before firing a low ball right across the six-yard box that was just inches away from being touched in by Mowatt on the stretch.
Leeds are looking a class above at the moment and a flowing passage of play eventually ends with Dallas seeing a powerful strike from the edge of the box blocked by Butler. If they keep playing like this, then it is surely only a matter of time until they score again.
PENALTY TO DONCASTER! The hosts will have the chance to get back into the tie as Wooton brings down Evina inside the box and gives away a penalty. The referee was quick to point to the spot and Williams will take it.
GOAL! Doncaster 1-1 Leeds (Andy Williams)
Williams steps up and makes no mistake with a low finish into the bottom right corner for his first Doncaster goal. Turnbull may feel that he could have saved it, but the strike had just enough to squeeze past the keeper.
SHOT! Doncaster are full of confidence now and Williams is really enjoying himself after his goal. He fancies a quick second, after evading a couple of challenges and reaching the edge of the box, before drilling in a low strike which is well held by the keeper.
SHOT! This tie has really sprung into life over the past few minutes and now Leeds are on the attack. It's Mowatt who is involved yet again, with a fierce attempt from just inside the box that is kept out by Stuckmann.
RED CARD TO LEEDS! What a huge moment in the game as the goalscorer Cook is shown a straight red card. He went in with two feet on Taylor-Sinclair, and although he only had eyes on the ball, there really was nothing else the referee could do but send him off.
SHOT! The hosts are looking to end the half with a flourish and Coppinger goes for goal from long-range after a clearance had dropped to him kindly. He makes good contact with the ball, but the direction wasn't there and it heads safely wide of the post.
CHANCE! Leeds are still going to get chances, even with their numerical advantage, and they have a decent opening when Wootton is picked out inside the box from Cooper's free kick. He then tries to loop a header over the keeper, but he gets slightly too much on the ball and it ends up dropping narrowly over the bar.
CHANCE! What a massive chance this is for Doncaster. Evina broke clear down the left and pulled the ball across the box for Coppinger, but the midfielder could only drag the ball wide of the far post from just a few yards out.
There are going to be at least two minutes of stoppage time before the break.
HALF-TIME: Doncaster 1-1 Leeds
The League Cup has produced some great games this week and we have certainly had another top clash this evening. It's currently level between Doncaster and Leeds at the break, but with the visitors down to 10 men, there could be another upset by the end of the night.
Let's see how the statistics are shaping up after 45 minutes of play. Perhaps rather surprisingly the hosts have seen more of the ball as they have enjoyed 58% of the possession. Both teams had had six attempts on goal, and you can expect that to rise substantially after the break.
I'm sure that the first half this evening is one that Lewis Cook will never forget. The 18-year-old was in the right place to score his first ever goal for Leeds, but he was later sent off for a really poor tackle on Aaron Taylor-Sinclair. The Doncaster man was fortunate not to get an injury, although there was definitely no malice or intention from Cook.
Doncaster kick off the second half and get the action back underway!
There's been a lot of early possession for Doncaster in this second half and it does appear that Leeds are happy for them to be on the ball. The visitors are looking well organised at the moment though, and it won't be easy to break them down.
SHOT! It's just starting to open up now, and after a Leeds counter attack breaks down, the hosts go straight down the other end. The ball is eventually played to Forrester, but after working some space to shoot, he drags a low strike well wide of the target.
SHOT! The shots on goal continue to pile up for Doncaster and this time Coppinger lashes over the bar from range. Dickov will be pleased at what he is seeing from his players, as they do look the most likely of the two teams to score the next goal.
Doncaster win a free kick in a great position just outside the box after Taylor brings down Coppinger. The midfielder then steps up and whips in the set piece, but his effort strikes the wall, and following a brief scramble, Leeds are able to clear.
SAVE! Williams shows his danger as he allows the ball to run across his body, before firing a powerful effort across goal. The ball looks headed for the top corner, but Turnbull is there to stretch out a hand and make a vital stop.
You just wonder how long Leeds can withstand the huge amount of pressure that they are coming under at the moment. The hosts are seeing even more possession than they did in the first half and they are starting to get the ball into the box far quicker.
We haven't seen any changes yet from either manager, but with the possibility of extra time this evening, they may be waiting slightly longer than usual to alter things. It is looking like we will see an additional 30 minutes, with Leeds defending well at the moment.
DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION: It looks like I spoke too soon, as Leeds go and make two changes! Murphy has come on for Doukara, while Wood is on to replace Dallas.
SUBSTITUTION: It's a change now for the hosts, as Tyson comes on for Evina.
CHANCE! Leeds are almost caught out as a long ball forward from McCullough finds Jones unmarked at the back post. He then powers in a firm header, but Turnbull is well placed to make the save and hold on to the ball.
SUBSTITUTION: Leeds are going to make their final change of the night, as Byram comes on for Mowatt.
This would have been one of the goals of the season from Doncater. Tyson picks the ball up in the middle and bursts past a number of tackles and into the box. He is then almost clean through on goal, but Taylor makes a wonderful last-ditch tackle to stop him. He timed that to perfection, as he could have easily given away a penalty and been sent off.
CHANCE! Coppinger has whipped in some fantastic cross this evening and he flashes a teasing delivery right across the six-yard box. Williams is only inches away from getting a touch and Tyson is denied at the back post from another fine piece of defending by Taylor.
SHOT! The lively Coppinger produces another fine piece of play on the right wing, before cutting inside on his left foot. He then drills in a low strike towards the far corner, but it takes a slight touch and deflects inches wide of the post.
CLOSE! This was surely the moment for Doncaster to win the match. Middleton delivered a wonderful ball to the back post that was headed across goal by Williams, but it was just inches away from picking out Tyson in the middle, before dropping narrowly wide.
SAVE! Tyson has added another dimension to Doncaster's attack since his introduction and he comes close again when he latches onto a ball over the top from Middleton, before firing in a powerful strike that is beaten away by Turnbull.
SHOT! Leeds are clinging on for dear life at the moment and they are in danger of conceding again when Coppinger cuts inside and gets away another left-footed strike. He makes good contact with the ball, but the shot ends up going harmlessly wide.
PENALTY APPEAL! Doncaster have real claims for a penalty when Bellusci appears to drag down Williams inside the box. The replays show that there was contact between the players and if the referee had a better view he may have awarded the hosts a second spot kick.
We are going to have at least three minutes of stoppage time. If nobody is able to find a winner, then there will be another 30 minutes of action to come from the Keepmoat.
SAVE! Taylor-Sinclair almost wins the match right at the death for the hosts with a free kick from out wide that is fired into the box and beaten to safety by Turnbull from under his own bar.
FULL-TIME: Doncaster 1-1 Leeds
So, there has been nothing to separate the teams this evening and we will now head towards extra time. I'm not sure how Doncaster haven't been able to find the net, but a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping from debutant Ross Turnbull has kept them at bay.
Leeds take the kick off for extra time and get us back underway!
SAVE! Leeds barely had a sniff in the second half, but they create the first chance of extra time. Byram is the man who comes close, as he is slid into the box by Antenucci, before firing a powerful strike across goal that is punched away brilliantly by Stuckmann.
SHOT! The visitors are showing a lot more composure and they do look a threat going forward. This time they win a corner, and when their opponents are unable to get it clear, Cooper picks up a loose ball and fires high over the bar.
SUBSTITUTION: Doncaster are going to make their second change of the match, with Main coming on to replace Middleton.
Doncaster look to be slightly tired at the moment and they are not creating too much in the way of chances. They have put in a great deal of effort, but credit must go to Leeds too, who have played for so long with just 10 men.
OFF THE POST! How close can you get! Leeds almost snatch the lead as Antenucci cuts inside from the right and drills a low effort towards the near post. It looks like a comfortable enough save from Stuckmann, but the keeper allows the ball to wriggle past him and hit the post, before he eventually saves on the line.
HALF-TIME IN EXTRA TIME: Doncaster 1-1 Leeds
It's Doncaster to get the action started again, as we enter the last 15 minutes of the match.
Doncaster are on the front foot and they are piling on the pressure. They have already managed to win a couple of corners, but so far Leeds have managed to clear everything that has come their way.
Everything seems to be going through Coppinger and the midfielder whips another delightful cross into the box that is scrambled away. He then fires in a powerful low shot from 25 yards that skids quite a few yards wide of the far post.
With just five minutes left to play in extra time, a penalty shootout is looking increasingly likely. I'm sure that Leeds will be the more happy to take the game to spot kicks, as they have being clinging on to a draw for so long.
Leeds win a corner and they send plenty of men into the box, despite their numerical disadvantage. Wood gets up highest and wins the header, but he directs the ball straight at the keeper. However, it wouldn't of counted had he scored, due to a blatant shove on Butler.
There are some heavy legs out there on the pitch now and Taylor-Sinclair is unable to provide a telling delivery when he is found in space down the left. It does appear that both teams are happy to take the draw, and head to the lottery of spot kicks.
FULL-TIME AFTER EXTRA TIME: Doncaster 1-1 Leeds
Two hours of play this evening has not been able to separate Doncaster and Leeds and now we will head to a penalty shootout. The hosts have been on top since Lewis Cook was sent off for the Whites, but none of that matters now as the players prepare to try their luck from 12 yards.
So, here we go. It's Leeds who are going to take the first penalty of the match, with Antenucci stepping up to the spot.
GOAL! Antenucci makes no mistake with a calm penalty into the bottom corner to give his side the lead.
GOAL! It's all square as Tyson slams home with power into the corner.
GOAL! Wonderful penalty from Murphy, who puts the ball into the top corner.
GOAL! Williams scores his second penalty of the evening with a cool effort into the corner.
MISS! Oh dear! It's a horrible penalty from Byram, who gets underneath the ball and hammers it well over the bar.
GOAL! It's advantage Doncaster in the shootout, as Forrester slots into the corner to put his side in front.
MISS! Would you believe it! Woods puts his penalty over the bar and it was even worse than Byram's missed effort!
GOAL! It's all over as Wellens sends the keeper the wrong way with a cool spot kick to win the match for Doncaster!
DONCASTER ROVERS WIN 4-2 ON PENALTIES!
In a week where we have seen Championship sides tumble out of the cup, there has been yet another shock at the Keepmoat, as Doncaster are through to the second round. They deserved their victory for the way they played during the 120 minutes and they kept their nerve from the spot to dump out their Yorkshire rivals Leeds.
Right, I don't know about you, but I need a bit of a rest after all of that drama from the spot. We have seen some fantastic cup football this week so let's hope that it continues in the second round when clubs from the Premier League enter the action. I hope you have enjoyed our coverage this evening. Until next time, goodbye!
Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
