Glen Robson fired the winning penalty to give Darlington a memorable Carling Cup scalp at Valley Parade last night.

Tom Kearney missed the crucial spot-kick which sunk First Division Bradford 5-3 in the shoot-out after 120 minutes of stalemate.

It was a richly deserved win for Mick Tait's men and ensured they go into their new stadium's opening day on Saturday in fine heart.

Craig Liddle, Ian Clark, Ryan Valentine and Ashley Nicholls all found the target while Kearney screwed the Bantams' first penalty wide.

Darlington had enjoyed the best of a first half in which Ashley Nicholls figured prominently down the right flank.

Visiting defender Ryan Valentine was first to find the target with a low 20-yard effort that was comfortably caught by Bantams goalkeeper Mark Paston.

Paston then beat out a fierce drive by Robson before Bradford's best chance was presented to Michael Branch by a weak Matt Clarke back-pass.

But fortunately for Darlington goalkeeper Michael Price - making his debut after his summer signing from Leicester - was alert and raced from his line to clear.

Skipper Liddle was desperately unlucky not to give the visitors a deserved 15th-minute lead when his close-range header from Valentine's free-kick clattered the crossbar and bounced down on the line before Robson's rebound effort was palmed over.

Darlington continued to pile on the pressure with Valentine shooting high and Nicholls unleashing a curling left-foot shot which beat the diving Paston but flashed just wide.

Bradford's front men were posing no threat and the home side's chances came in goalmouth scrambles with Dean Windass' close-range swing blocked by Liddle.

Paston rescued Bradford again when he advanced to bravely block a Nicholls shot when the former Ipswich man had been sent clean through by Barry Conlon.

Darlington continued their attack early in the second half with Robson denied a point-blank opportunity only by Simon Francis' interception.

And immediately afterwards Conlon's effort from deep inside the box was blocked by David Wetherall and strenuous penalty appeals were waved away.

When Bradford did begin to exert any pressure Nicholls caught them on the break and one swift move in the 59th minute almost created a shooting chance for Neil Maddison but for Kearney's intervention.

But the home side slowly came back and Wetherall was flashed a header from Paul Evans' right-wing corner inches wide on the hour.

Then Evans hit a strong 30-yard drive which Price had to get down quickly to save, and Andy Gray was just denied by a Price punch to Kearney's cross.

And a super challenge by Clarke in the box prevented Branch connecting with the end of Windass' precise punt up field.

Robson had the last chance of normal time for Darlington when he found space 25 yards from goal but showed no composure in hastily scooping a shot way over the bar.

And Robson also had the first clear chance of the extra period when he flicked Valentine's right-wing cross against the crossbar with home keeper Paston beaten.

Conlon was also unlucky when he stabbed the ball goalwards in a crowded box only for Gareth Edds to clear with Paston again nowhere.

Penalty sequence: Liddle scored (0-1); Keaney missed (0-1); Clark scored (0-2); Heckingbottom scored (1-2); Valentine scored (1-3); Windass scored (2-3); Nicholls scored (2-4); Gray scored (3-4); Robson scored (3-5).

Norwich were another First Division side to crash out as they lost at Northampton.

Josh Low shocked the First Division side with the only goal after just eight minutes.

The Canaries pushed hard to get an equaliser but Third Division Northampton clung on.

Millwall also suffered at the hands of Third Division opposition, with Oxford sneaking a 1-0 win at the New Den.

Steve Basham scored after 59 minutes to extinguish Millwall's hopes of a League Cup run.

Derby, too, were dumped out of the competition, with George Burley's side letting a lead slip to lose at Huddersfield