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      Maidstone land trip to Coventry in FA Cup fifth round after Sky Blues batter Sheffield Wednesday in one-sided replay

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      NON-LEAGUE GIANTKILLERS Maidstone United will face Coventry in the FA Cup fifth round after the Sky Blues smashed Sheffield Wednesday.Mark Robins’ side hammered the Owls 4-1 to book their date with the minnows on February 26.
      Coventry City thumped Sheffield Wednesday to advance in the FA CupCredit: Getty
      Maidstone United now head to the Sky Blues in the fifth roundCredit: PA
      The National League South outfit, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, stunned Ipswich Town by beating them 2-1 at Portman Road last month.
      Now they will be looking to dump out another former Cup winner in the Sky Blues.
      Kasey Palmer broke the deadlock for Coventry but Bailey Cadamarteri levelled after ten minutes.
      But it was just one-way traffic for the hosts after that a double from Callum O’Hare and a Haji Wright strike sealed the victory.
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      Meanwhile, fellow Championship team Southampton booked themselves a trip to Anfield later this month.
      They coasted to a 3-0 home win over Watford in their replay.
      Sekou Mara helped himself to two goals for the Saints while Che Adams also got his name on the scoresheet.
      Plymouth Argyle and Leeds United needed extra-time to separate them in the evening’s other replay.
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      Wilfried Gnoto thought he had won it for the visitors only for the Pilgrims to level late on through Brendan Galloway.
      That resulted in the additional 30 minutes, but Crysencio Summerville put Leeds back in front midway through the first period.
      Maidstone make FA Cup history with huge giant-killing win over Ipswich
      And Georginio Rutter’s scuffed finish and then a cruel Ryan Hardie own goal sealed the 4-1 win in the second half of the extra-time.
      They will now travel to the winners of Wednesday night’s replay between Aston Villa and Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round.
      FA CUP FIFTH ROUND DRAWHere’s how the ties are looking with the first set of replays over:
      Blackburn v Newcastle
      Chelsea/Aston Villa v Leeds
      Bournemouth v Leicester
      Liverpool v Southampton
      Bristol City/Nottingham Forest v Man Utd
      Wolves v Brighton
      Coventry v Maidstone United
      Luton v Man City More

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      Alex Scott left absolutely drenched live on BBC after Plymouth vs Leeds hit by downpour as fans say ‘get her a brolly!’

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      FOOTIE fans were united in their sympathy for Alex Scott after seeing her get DRENCHED during her broadcasting duties.Scott was part of the BBC’s live coverage of Plymouth’s FA Cup fourth-round replay with Leeds United on Tuesday night.
      Alex Scott led the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup fourth-round replay between Plymouth and Leeds UnitedCredit: BBC
      Scott presented the match along with Jermaine Beckford and Glenn Murray
      The former Arsenal and England defender ended up being drenched by rainCredit: BBC
      The weather down in the south west was torrid, to say the least.
      High winds and buckets of rain battered Home Park Stadium, so much so that Scott ended up being soaked from head to toe.
      Scott braved the elements without an umbrella, unlike fellow pundits Jermaine Beckford and Glenn Murray, which meant her dark tartan jacket took a soaking.
      Watchers of the match couldn’t help but comment, with one saying: “I bet Alex Scott regretted not having a brolly pitchside before the #PLYLEE game.
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      “I live a 10-minute walk away from the ground and can confirm it’s absolutely pissing it down.”
      Another said: “Hey @AlexScott – tell the lads the pub round the corner has asked for their beer garden parasol back.”
      And another said: “Any chance one of those two lads could go over and cover Alex Scott with their umbrella?
      “They’re big enough keep all of three of them dry, yet they have one each and remain dry, while Alex is getting soaked.
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      Alex Scott didn’t let the torrential rain dampen her spirtisCredit: BBC
      “Come on lads, be a gentleman @BBCSport.”
      One remarked: “Someone get Alex Scott an umbrella, please.
      Alex Scott sends warning to fans over FAKE Instagram accounts being made in her name as she blasts ‘annoying scam’
      “Glenn Murray you sir are not a gentleman.”
      And another chimed in: “@AlexScott bet your freezing in the rain this evening – well done for still smiling.”
      Leeds took the lead in the 66th minute through Italy international Wilfried Gnonto.
      But the Championship outfit were forced to play extra time thanks to a 78th-minute equaliser from Brendan Galloway.
      However, they ran out 4-1 winners to set up a fifth round clash with Villa or Chelsea. More

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      FA Cup could introduce sin bins from NEXT SEASON and overhaul VAR in one of biggest ever rule changes

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      THE FA Cup could trial sin-bins next season – with VAR also set to change.International rule-makers are likely to approve FA plans for ten-minute banishments.
      Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea visit Unai Emery’s Aston Villa in an FA Cup fourth-round replay on WednesdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The world’s most famous domestic competition could see major changeCredit: Rex
      Next term is also expected to see referees announce video-replay decisions via microphones – like at the women’s World Cup last summer.
      And a third major initiative should also get the go-ahead – a rugby-style rule where only captains are allowed to approach the referee.
      That’s part of a powerful new push to improve players’ discipline.
      The Times say the proposals could all be cleared at the International FA Board’s annual meeting in Scotland in March.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      The FA is then tipped to “seriously consider” trialling sin-bins for dissent or cynical fouls in the men’s and women’s FA Cup.
      It follows successful trials of the temporary sending-off in amateur and youth football across England and Wales, albeit just for dissent.
      The change is designed to curb unsporting fouls that rile fans as well as potentially changing the course of matches.
      For example, had the rule been in place three years ago, Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini might have been sin-binned for the infamous way he pulled Bukayo Saka back at a crucial time in the Euro 2020 final.
      Most read in FA CupWHEN WOULD PLAYERS BE SIN-BINNEDTHE sin-bin trials would focus on two areas of rule-breaking.

      The FA want to curb tactical fouls that infuriate supporters.
      These are the sort of clever or crafty actions that for so long were called “professional fouls”.
      At the moment, such fouls might not deny an obvious scoring chance but they could well halt a dangerous attack when a chance appears likely to be created.
      Similarly, these cynical interventions might break the momentum of a team pressing for a vital goal.
      Instead, fearing a possible 10 minutes on the sidelines, players would think twice about tugging an opponent back or cynically tripping a speeding player.
      The other use of temporary dismissals is part of a major push towards improving behaviour towards match officials.
      It would mean only captains could go up to referees to question decisions.
      The FA hope that rule will stop teams swarming around a ref – as well as limiting the flare-ups that can spread quickly when players rush in over a heated incident or controversial decision.

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      At 1-1 and with seconds left of normal time, the outpaced centre-back halted Saka the only way he could.
      Yet Chiellini was only booked and Italy went on to win 3-2 on penalties.
      Kim Kardashian admits ‘I’ll be the most embarrassing soccer mom in world’ as she makes major World Cup 2026 announcement_1
      The 39-year-old even laughed off the controversial moment, happily admitting: “I grabbed him good!”
      And in the 2018 Champions League final Sergio Ramos seriously injured Liverpool’s main man Mo Salah by hauling him down on the half-hour.
      Many believed it was a match-turning moment as Real Madrid turned a goalless first period into a 3-1 victory.
      The international board that will decide if sin-bin trials can go ahead is made up of Fifa, who have four votes, and the four British associations, who have one apiece. More

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      Arsenal face FA rap after wild celebrations against Liverpool… but Mikel Arteta is set to escape punishment

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      MIKEL Arteta will avoid any FA action for his stoppage-time goal celebrations against Liverpool.But Arsenal will be hit with the “standard” £25,000 fine after six of Arteta’s players were cautioned in their 3-1 win.
      Emirates chief Mikel Arteta will not be sanctioned as match officials did not report his behaviour during Sunday’s winCredit: Rex
      Arsenal’s celebrations after beating Liverpool, including Martin Odegaard’s happy snapping, sparked some criticismCredit: Reuters
      Arteta infuriated some TV Liverpool fans as he reacted to Leandro Trossard’s added-time clincher.
      The Spaniard leapt wildly before sprinting through and out of his technical area, potentially leaving himself open to a charge.
      But FA rules, reinforced this term, leave policing of touchline behaviour to the match officials.
      As neither referee Anthony Taylor nor any of his colleagues made any mention of Arteta’s behaviour that is considered the end of the matter by FA beaks, who have no intention of even contacting the Arsenal boss.
      READ MORE ARSENAL NEWS
      But the yellow cards picked up by Ben White, Gabriel, Jakob Kiwior and, in stoppage time, William Saliba, Declan Rice and  Kai Havertz, will see a fine levied against the Gunners.
      Liverpool had defender Ibrahima Konate sent off following his second yellow card soon before Gunners’ sub Trossard finished them off.
      But Arsenal’s players came under fire from some quarters for their victory celebrations soon after.
      Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said: “Just get down the tunnel. You’ve won a game. It’s three points. They’re back in the title race, get down the tunnel. I’m serious, honestly.”
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      And his fellow Sky Sports pundit, ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville, argued: “I have gone past the idea of having a go at players for celebrating, I just still think there is a little bit of immaturity in their celebrations.”
      But Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard insisted his team had every right to react as they did – after rising to second place, two points behind Liverpool.
      Carragher in war of words with ex-Premier League star Fjortoft over Odegaard’s Arsenal celebrations against Liverpool
      The midfielder said: “Everyone who loves football, who understands football, they know how much it means to win this game.
      “And if you’re not allowed to celebrate when you win a game, when are you allowed to celebrate? We’re happy with the win and we’ll stay humble.
       “Everyone who loves football, who understands football, they know how much it means to win this game.
      “And if you’re not allowed to celebrate when you win a game, when are you allowed to celebrate? We’re happy with the win and we’ll stay humble.”
      Odegaard took pics with Gunners’ club photographer Stuart MacFarlane More

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      Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder facing FA charge after being left raging at a linesman eating a SANDWICH

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      CHRIS WILDER faces an FA charge over his astonishing Sandwichgate rant at “biased” referees.The Sheffield United boss — whose side are ten points adrift of safety after last night’s 5-0 home defeat to Aston Villa — is in hot water for accusing officials of being prejudiced against his team.
      Chirs Wilder is facing an FA chargeCredit: Getty
      Wilder branded ref Tony Harrington’s performance in the Blades’ 3-2 midweek defeat at Crystal Palace “ridiculous”.
      He also slammed a linesman’s “complete lack of respect” for munching a sarnie while he was complaining to Harrington after the match.
      The FA are investigating and Wilder could face charges of bringing the game into disrepute.
      Wilder was fuming Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta escaped a booking for a clash that saw Blades keeper Ivo Grbic go off with concussion.
      He stormed: “It’s yet another ridiculous performance from the referee.
      “I was told by a Premier League referee,  who’s as honest as the day is long, ‘Get ready, because every tight decision will go against you, every 50-50 will go against you’.
      “Their boy takes our keeper out, we had to change keepers. It makes no odds if it’s an accident or not, it’s a yellow card.
      “Every tight decision goes against us.
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      “I’m not looking back over the last ten games, it’s over a longer period, before I was here as well.
      “Maybe the thought process is that, ‘They won’t be long in this division and I might be refereeing the other team next year, so I don’t want to upset too many people’.”
      It is not clear whether Dan Cook or Mark Scholes was the assistant targeted in his sandwich blast.
      Wilder has threatened to complain about the perceived bias to PGMOL chief Howard Webb.
      He added: “It’s happened too many times for me not to say anything.”
      Wilder is the latest manager to slam the standard of refereeing in the Prem this season.
      Former PGMOL boss Keith Hackett has accused Webb’s body of being “a  £26million business run by a bunch of amateurs who operate like a Mayfair Gentleman’s Club”. More

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      Alan Shearer feared he’d be sacked by BBC if cameras caught what he was doing in Newcastle away end for FA Cup clash

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      ENGLAND legend Alan Shearer feared he would be sacked by the BBC while supporting former club Newcastle last week.Shearer was in the away end at Craven Cottage on Saturday to support the Magpies against Fulham.
      Alan Shearer was spotted in the crowd at Craven Cottage during Fulham vs NewcastleCredit: Rex
      The Newcastle legend feared he would be sacked by the BBC if he was caught swearing on cameraCredit: Getty
      The ex-striker was swarmed by fans after taking to his seat, with some even chanting his name throughout the match.
      Although he now regularly watches games from a TV studio, Shearer, a pundit for BBC Sport and Match of the Day, admitted he loved being among the crowd.
      The 53-year-old even revealed that he got so caught up in the action that he began swearing at the referee at one point during the game.
      Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer said: “You know when the ref makes a poor decision, and you can hear all the fans go, ‘That’s f*****g useless’.
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      “Well I found myself doing the same to the referee!
      “I was thinking, ‘If the cameras are on me now…’ Honestly, I had to think, ‘Calm down, Alan, or you might get yourself sacked here for shouting at the referee!'”
      Discussing his matchday experience, Shearer added: “My son said to me, ‘Dad, I’ve got a spare ticket. You always said you’re going to come to an away game with me. Why don’t you come to the game?’ And I was like, ‘Are you mad?’
      “He said, ‘Come on, you’ll love it. It’ll be amazing!’ Then I thought, ‘Actually, it’s not a bad idea’. Then the more I thought about it, the more I thought, ‘I’m gonna do it, why not’.
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      “He persuaded me and I went, and I’m definitely going to do it again. I absolutely loved it. It was everything – chaos, madness, excitement. It was just brilliant.”
      Newcastle went on to win the match 2-0 thanks to goals from Sean Longstaff and Dan Burn.
      They will now face Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup fifth round. More

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      Marcus Rashford drunkenly dropped huge wads of cash on floor after 12-hour bender, waitress says

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      MARCUS Rashford dropped huge wads of cash on a booze fuelled 12-hour bender, a waitress has claimed.The Manchester United striker, 26, was axed for last Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Newport County after missing training following two days of partying in Belfast.
      The striker was axed from last Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Newport County after missing training
      Sarah Adair, 30, served the football ace and later joined him on his night out
      Rashford went for drinks at Lavery’s after arriving in Belfast on Wednesday evening
      After a rapid rise to be one of Utd’s most bankable stars and a campaigner off the pitch, there are fears he’s struggling and needs support.
      A waitress who joined the Manchester United ace on his booze bender told how he was “on a mission to get drunk”.
      Sarah Adair, 30, said the sloshed striker downed tequila shots and cocktails before collapsing on a hotel bed fully clothed just before 3am.
      “He was so drunk at this point that he picked up his own bag and dropped it and all this cash fell out. It was all £20 notes and big wads of it. I reckon there was between £8,000 and £10,000 cash,” she said.

      “Then he falls back into the wall and I have to kind of scoop him up and on to the bed.
      “He was fully dressed and I reckon he just passed out like that. He didn’t even get under the covers.”
      A source close to Rashford claimed the star returned to the hotel at 1.15am, did not drink cocktails and had less than £1,000 in cash.
      It comes after Rashford had spent two days partying on a visit to Belfast to see a pal, and got a 7am private jet back to Manchester on Friday.
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      Rashford posed with a restaurant worker on Thursday at 4:22pm
      The player was pictured inside the club on Friday at 00:55am as the session continued
      Rashford walked towards the club door with his entourage on Friday at 00:31am
      But, he then rang in sick for training and was later fined £650,000 — two weeks’ wages — and dropped from the FA Cup tie at Newport County last Sunday.
      He was pictured yesterday morning arriving at training ahead of showdown talks with United bosses.
      Waitress Sarah added: “I’m not surprised he missed training the next day given how late he got to bed and how much he’d had to drink. He must’ve known he wasn’t going to be in any fit state to play football.”
      The mum of one was working on Thursday afternoon when a two-man security team came in and asked for a discreet table for a “high-profile” VIP party.
      At first Sarah thought it could be a famous actor such as James Nesbitt or Jamie Dornan because the city is a hotbed for filming.
      When Rashford walked in, she did not recognise him and only realised he was a footballer when her United-mad manager told her.
      She said: “He was with two men and two women. One was clearly a friend and the other girl was French and very beautiful.
      “She seemed to be with Marcus because of how they interacted. She was touching his knee and he was touching her arm, but you could tell from the conversation they didn’t know each other that well. It was like he’d just met her.”
      Earlier Rashford had visited Larne FC after his footballer pal Ro-Shaun Williams signed for the Northern Irish club.
      As Sarah served the group, Rashford also told how he had visited the Dirty Onion bar and Lavery’s pub the night before after flying into the city.
      He ordered sea bass then asked her where was good to go out, adding: “You should come out with us and show us around.”

      It comes as…

      She claimed Rashford had “no plans to go home that night” after asking which clubs stayed open past 3am.
      Sarah also said the footballer “was clearly on a mission to get drunk” as he passed bottles of booze around at the Villa Italia restaurant later in the evening.
      The group then headed to a private area called The Attic after finishing up with their meal.
      Last night a source close to Rashford insisted the striker left the club at 1.15am.
      But Sarah says the group partied until shortly after 2am when Rashford’s pals and security decided the footballer was too drunk and needed to go to bed.
      They then headed back to the five-star Fitzwilliam Hotel where Rashford was staying in the £1,500-a-night residence suite.
      Yesterday Rashford and his agent brother Dwaine met with manager Erik ten Hag and United’s director of football John Murtough for showdown talks.
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      A source added: “Marcus accepts his standards have fallen well short of what is expected.”
      Last night the club said: “Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions. This has been dealt with as an internal disciplinary matter, which is now closed.”
      ACE RASH’S TIPPLES TIMELINE
      WEDNESDAY JAN 24
      9.55am: Rashford arrives for Man United training.4.21pm: Private jet leaves Manchester.5.17pm: Plane lands at Belfast International airport. Rashford checks into the Fitzwilliam Hotel and visits the Dirty Onion and Lavery’s bar.
      THURSDAY JAN 25
      1.06pm: Picture posted online of Rashford at Larne FC.2pm: Arrives at Sarah’s restaurant.4.30pm: Leaves restaurant.9.40pm: Rashford sends a driver to bring Sarah to Villa Italia restaurant.
      FRIDAY JAN 26
      00.30am: Rashford filmed going into Thompson’s Garage nightclub.2am: Rashford leaves and the group go back to his hotel — although a source close to the player insists it was at 1.15am.2.50am: The star passes out fully dressed.5am: Rashford and his minders leave hotel.7am: Private jet leaves Belfast airport.8am: Plane touches down at Manchester airport.
      SUNDAY JAN 28
      Rashford is dropped from FA Cup game against Newport County. United boss Erik ten Hag says Rashford’s behaviour is an “internal matter” and he will “deal” with it.
      MONDAY JAN 298.45am: Rashford arrives for training.

      The footie ace headed to a nightclub on Friday at 00:30am following an afternoon session
      Rashford arrives at Manchester United training on Monday morning More

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      Arsenal fans worried on-loan keeper Arthur Okonkwo has ‘lost the plot’ after calamitous mistake in FA Cup for Wrexham

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      ARSENAL fans are worried their on-loan goalkeeper has “lost the plot” after a calamitous mistake in the FA Cup.Arthur Okonkwo, 22, is spending this season on loan at Wrexham as Ben Foster’s replacement at the League Two club.
      Arthur Okonkwo was caught in no man’s land for Blackburn’s second goalCredit: BBC
      He was outside the area when Sam Gallagher shot towards goalCredit: AFP

      And, after a brief return to Arsenal for jaw surgery in December, he started in between the sticks for the Welsh outfit in the FA Cup fourth-round clash away at Blackburn.
      However, the young goalkeeper showed his inexperience with a nightmare moment in the first half at Ewood Park.
      Wrexham had taken a shock early lead before Sam Szmodics’ equaliser just after the half-hour mark.
      And then just two minutes later, Rovers were gifted the lead by Okonkwo.
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      Sam Gallagher did well to flick the ball down the left channel and was in a race with a Wrexham defender to get to the ball first.
      But Okonkwo rushed far out of his box and was beaten to the ball by Gallagher who simply rolled an easy finish past the helpless goalkeeper and into the unguarded net.
      The BBC Sport commentator said: “Okonkwo again dithers and Gallagher punishes him.
      “Two goals in two minutes and a night to forget for Arthur Okonkwo in goal for Wrexham.
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      “It was easy for Gallagher, the goalkeeper made his mind up for him. It’s almost an open goal.”
      To make things force for Okonkwo, he took a whack from his own defender trying to get back and cover for his blunder.
      The co-commentator added: “Okonkwo has looked nervy, he’s looked casual.
      “There’s absolutely no need for him to come out as early as he does. It’s not like he comes out and commits.”
      And Gunners fans watched through their fingers at their England youth international stopper, who previously had loan spells with Crewe and SK Sturm Graz.
      One tweeted: “Okonkwo has lost the plot.”
      Another wrote: “What on Earth was Okonkwo doing? I mean just what????”
      ‘YIKES’
      A third added: “Big fan of the kid, but that’s poor from Okonkwo, far too easy.”
      A fourth replied: “What on Earth is Okonkwo doing there? He ends up OUTSIDE of the box come time for the shot. So even if he miraculously got a hand to it, he would have been off! A keeper that has been quality this season and has bags of potential, too. Yikes…”
      And a final user brutally commented: “Arthur Okonkwo has lettuce hands. Goodnight.”
      But other supporters tried to remain positive.
      One said: “One bad game doesn’t define a player. Arthur Okonkwo is still a top keeper.”
      Another responded: “The best keepers in the world have bad games. Okonkwo is a kid in goalkeeping terms. He’ll be better for making and learning from the mistakes. The guy is a class act.”
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      Okonkwo’s evening got even worse when Szmodics made it 3-1 on the stroke of half-time before Sondre Tronsade wrapped up the victory for Blackburn after the break – with Okonkwo coming out wearing a protective face mask for the second half.
      Rovers will be at home again in round five as they welcome Newcastle to Ewood Park.
      Gallagher’s goal turned the tie on its headCredit: BBC
      Okonkwo did not get much support from his team-mates
      The on-loan Arsenal goalkeeper wore a protective mask in the second halfCredit: Getty More