Eurosport - Sat, 03 Jan 19:17:00 2009
Holders Portsmouth were held 0-0 at home by Bristol City in the third round of the FA Cup while non-league side Torquay knocked out Championship club Blackpool.
The Robins won a replay at Ashton Gate with a battling display at Fratton Park.
Portsmouth beat five Championship sides on the way to winning last season's FA Cup.
However after four successive Premier League defeats under new boss Tony Adams, they again came up short despite dominating against Gary Johnson's side.
Matthew Green struck in the first half as Blue Square Premier side Torquay shocked Blackpool 1-0 at Plainmoor.
Green smashed a left-footed effort from 20 yards past Paul Rachubka after 32 minutes to hand Paul Buckle's high-flying side a place in the hat and leave the managerless Seasiders without a win in their past six outings.
At Moss Rose top flight club Everton won through narrowly to the fourth round against Macclesfield thanks to Leon Osman"s late first-half strike.
The Toffees were fortunate to be on level terms with their League Two opponents before Osman's lovely finish, the midfielder readjusting his footing to fire past Jon Brain.
Midfielder Nat Brown should have given the Silkmen the lead earlier with a close range header from a James Jennings cross.
Premier League sides Hull City and Newcastle played out a lively goalless draw at the KC Stadium to set up a replay at St James" Park.
Newcastle had the better of the match and should have taken the lead in the first half when Michael Owen missed two clear-cut chances in quick succession.
The Magpies skipper also had an appeal for a penalty turned down in the second half after being brought down by Hull's stand-in keeper Matt Duke.
But Hull came closest to snatching the win when Michael Turner headed against the underside of the crossbar 15 minutes from time.
Craig Mackail-Smith scored a late equaliser to earn Peterborough a 1-1 draw and a deserved third-round replay against West Brom.
The Posh striker hit the woodwork in the first half and then missed a golden opportunity to equalise after Jonas Olsson had headed Albion in front after 64 minutes.
But with three minutes left he grabbed his 18th goal of the season when converting a low cross from Aaron McLean.
Andy Johnson scored early and then late on as Fulham survived a scare at Sheffield Wednesday to reach the fourth round with a 2-1 win.
Johnson put the Premier League side ahead after only 11 minutes at Hillsborough and he struck in equally clinical fashion three minutes from the end of normal time to stretch the Cottagers' unbeaten run to 10 matches.
The Owls had drawn level through a wonder goal from defender Tommy Spurr.
Ross McCormack grabbed a goal and an assist as last season's finalists Cardiff beat Reading 2-0 at Ninian Park.
Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cisse scored to give Sunderland a 2-1 victory over Bolton in their tie at the Stadium of Light.
Visiting substitute Ebi Smolarek's ballooned cross-cum-shot caught out goalkeeper Martin Fulop late on, but the Black Cats hung on to give manager Ricky Sbragia victory in his first home match since taking the job on a permanent basis.
West Ham put paid to any dreams Barnsley harboured of replicating their giant-killing exploits of last season, running out 3-0 winners at Upton Park.
Herita Ilunga opened the scoring after 10 minutes and Mark Noble doubled the lead from the penalty spot before half-time. Carlton Cole finished expertly in the second half to seal the win.
Middlesbrough scraped through 2-1 at home to Blue Square strugglers Barrow.
Brazilian striker Afonso hit a brace before Jason Walker scored a late consolation to scare Boro.
Kettering Town won the battle of the non-league sides 2-1 against Eastwood Town.
Strikes from Craig Westcar and Gareth Seddon either side of the break put Kettering in control, while Paul Robinson set up a nervy finish by scoring on the hour-mark.
Coventry were too good for Kidderminster, running out 2-0 victors, while Watford beat Scunthorpe 1-0 at home.
Millwall came from a goal down to take the lead against Crewe at the New Den, only to see the visitors equalise and earn a replay at Gresty Road with a 2-2 draw.
Championship sides Charlton and Norwich shared a 1-1 draw at The Valley while Ipswich hammered Chesterfield , who had benefited from Droylesdon's expulsion for fielding an ineligible player, 3-0.
Crystal Palace were relieved to secure a replay after a lacklustre display yielded a 0-0 draw against League One Leicester.
QPR and Burnley also face a replay later this month after an uninspiring 0-0 draw in their tie at Loftus Road.
Comment 1 - 3 of 3
GREAT DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE BY THE LADS AT POMPEY. WE SHOULD SHOW MORE BELIEF WHEN WE HAVE THE BALL AND RETURN TO THE PASSING GAME WHICH BROUGHT US SO MUCH SUCESS LAST SEASON.FANTASTIC SUPPORT AT FRATTON PARK. ALWAYS BELIEVE WE ARE BRISTOL CITY.
we need to start playing defo and get ride of adams portsmouth need are star player from mark j
Well done the Robins ! :-)
So long as the Robins only have calamity James to worry about they should go through to the next round :-)
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