LONDON - All White Simon Elliott had a debut to forget with English Premier League side Fulham when they lost 2-1 to fourth division Leyton Orient in the shock of the FA Cup third round yesterday.
Orient led 2-0 at halftime after goals by Craig Easton and Joe Keith but had to survive a strong second-half comeback by their illustrious London rivals, who are 14th in the top flight.
Collins John pulled a goal back five minutes after the restart, but blew the chance to save the game when his 69th-minute penalty was well saved by Orient keeper Glyn Garner.
Orient then held out for a famous victory to continue the reputation for upsets in the world's oldest cup competition.
British media reports said defensive lapses by Elliott played a part in both goals.
Last week Elliott became the fourth New Zealand player to join an English Premier League club when he signed from US team Columbus Crew.
In another shock yesterday, Manchester United were held to a humiliating goalless draw by minor league Burton Albion as manager Alex Ferguson's policy of playing a weakened team backfired for the second year running.
United, winners of the Cup a record 11 times, and runners-up last season, fielded only a handful of first team regulars and looked ordinary.
A year ago a weakened Manchester United were held 0-0 at home by minor league Exeter City and had to recall the big names to secure a 2-0 victory in the replay.
This season, despite being out of Europe and with little realistic hope of catching Chelsea in the league, Ferguson repeated his tactic with only Wes Brown, Mikael Silvestre and John O'Shea from his usual first-choice side starting the match.
The unfamiliar lineup, with striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer making his first start for 19 months, struggled to impose themselves on a hard-working Burton side, managed by Nigel Clough, son of the late former Nottingham Forest manager Brian.
United did not really look dangerous until the introduction of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo for the last 30 minutes.
Rooney forced a good save from Saul Deeney soon after but despite United's increasing control, they were unable to create many clear chances.
When they did, in injury time, Deeney saved with his feet from Ritchie Jones.
"I had nothing to do really all game which was a bit of a surprise against one of the best teams in the world," Deeney told Sky Sports.
Clough said: "It was a staggering performance really. In the first half it was pretty even but in the second it seemed like we were under the cosh for about three hours.
"Now the lads have got a couple of days off to get ready for Stourbridge on Tuesday night.
"But I'm thrilled for them that they will get the chance to run out at Old Trafford."
Sunderland, bottom of the top flight after one win in 20 games, beat minor league Northwich Victoria 3-0 in their first victory since September.
Sunderland were able to settle once Neill Collins gave them a sixth-minute lead and eased through with a second by Dean Whitehead just before halftime and the third by Anthony Le Tallec 20 minutes from time.
Fulham are the only Premier League side knocked out, although some face tricky replays after draws.
Middlesbrough were held 1-1 by minor league Nuneaton Borough, Birmingham City were goalless at fourth division Torquay, Everton drew 1-1 at second division Millwall and Wigan Athletic also drew 1-1 with second division Leeds United.
European champions Liverpool came from 1-3 down to win 5-3 at second division Luton Town, while Cup holders Arsenal beat second division Cardiff City 2-1.
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur, fourth in the Premier League, blew a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at second division strugglers Leicester City.
Tottenham led 2-0 after Jermaine Jenas scored in the 20th minute and Paul Stalteri slammed in a 20m screamer in the 41st.
However, Leicester, fourth-last in the second division, replied through Elvis Hammond just before halftime and levelled with a powerful shot by Stephen Hughes in the 57th minute.
Spurs, knocked out of the League Cup by Grimsby earlier in the season, completed a miserable double when Mark de Vries tucked in the winner in injury time.
The fourth round draw will be made today.
- REUTERS
Soccer: Kiwi has UK debut to forget
Manchester United's Wes Brown (right) pulls back Burton Albion's Shaun Harrad during their teams' goalless draw. Picture / Reuters
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