LONDON - FA Cup holders Manchester United have been sensationally held to a 0-0 home draw by minor league Exeter City as Manchester City and Aston Villa suffered third-round exits.
Premier League leaders Chelsea had to come from behind on Saturday to beat fourth division side Scunthorpe United 3-1, and
League Cup holders Middlesbrough needed second-half goals for a 2-1 comeback win over fourth division Notts County.
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson paid the price for using second and third-string players against Exeter, who weathered a late storm as internationals Paul Scholes, Alan Smith and Cristiano Ronaldo came on as substitutes at Old Trafford.
Manchester City were the biggest losers, going down 1-0 to third division strugglers Oldham in a local derby, while three struggling Premier League sides lost to second division clubs bidding for promotion.
Villa, with only one win in their previous eight games, lost 3-1 at Sheffield United after taking the lead, and Norwich City and Crystal Palace also went out of the competition.
Norwich were beaten 1-0 at West Ham United, while Palace surrendered the lead in a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland, Marcus Stewart converting a match-winning penalty on the hour.
Though they were on the ropes in the closing stages, Exeter made a bright start to their dream tie at Old Trafford, with Dean Moxey missing the best chance of the first half.
Ferguson threw on his regulars during the closing stages but the holders still face an unexpected trip to Exeter's St James' Park ground on January 18.
Chelsea also had to struggle against rank outsiders at Stamford Bridge.
Striker Paul Hayes gave Scunthorpe their amazing lead after eight minutes, turning to shoot past keeper Carlo Cudicini.
Serbia and Montenegro striker Mateja Kezman levelled with a superb volley past Paul Musselwhite, who was also between the posts when Scunthorpe dumped Chelsea out of the League Cup in 1988.
Scunthorpe defender Andy Crosby settled Chelsea's nerves by putting the ball into his own net just before the hour mark and striker Eidur Gudjohnsen poached Chelsea's third.
Four days after holding champions Arsenal to a 1-1 Premier League draw at Highbury, Manchester City were on very different form in the Cup. Scott Vernon put Oldham's winner past England keeper David James from close range in the 14th minute.
Middlesbrough fell behind after just two minutes against fourth division Notts County, Irish midfielder Tony Scully scoring with a deflected shot. It took Boro another 52 minutes to level with a thunderbolt from Brazilian midfielder Doriva and Cameroon striker Joseph-Desire Job fired the winner.
Southampton's defence was breached by fourth division Northampton but the Premier League strugglers still secured a first win for their manager Harry Redknapp, whose newly-signed son Jamie claimed the third goal in a 3-1 victory.
- REUTERS
LONDON - FA Cup holders Manchester United have been sensationally held to a 0-0 home draw by minor league Exeter City as Manchester City and Aston Villa suffered third-round exits.
Premier League leaders Chelsea had to come from behind on Saturday to beat fourth division side Scunthorpe United 3-1, and
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