Doncaster Rovers come desperately close to knocking Arsenal out of the Carling Cup.

Only a goal in added time in extra time and penalties saves the Gunners blushes.

UEFA reject Abel Xavier’s appeal against his 18-month drugs ban- League One Doncaster Rovers come desperately close to knocking Arsenal out of the Carling Cup at the Earth Stadium. Rovers led 2-1 going in to added time of extra time only for skipper Gilberto Silva’s last-gasp strike to take the Quarter Final to penalties. The Premiership giants hold their nerve to win the shoot-out 3-1. In the night’s other tie, a last minute Paul Dickov goal gives Blackburn Rovers victory at Middlesbrough.

- UEFA reject Abel Xavier’s appeal against his 18-month ban. Xavier tested positive for a banned steroid after Middlesbrough’s UEFA Cup game in Xanthi on 29 September. The Portuguese defender can now either accept the punishment or appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

- David Tuttle becomes the Millwall’s fourth manager of the year after new chairman Peter De Savary announces a backroom reshuffle. Current boss Colin Lee becomes director of football while Tuttle, who was assistant manager, becomes the Championship’s bottom club’s caretaker manager until the end of the season. The 33-year-old takes over from Watford’s Adie Boothroyd as the youngest manager in the Championship.

- The Football Association remain confident that the new Wembley Stadium will be ready for the FA Cup Final on 13 May. The project has been delayed and is £75million over budget. Builders Multiplex have admitted that there is a risk it may not be ready for the Cup Final. Other reports suggest Hungary, who became the first non-British team to win at Wembley in 1953, could be the opposition for England’s first game at the new stadium on 30 May.

- Charlton Athletic’s Mark Fish announces his retirement after finally admitting defeat in his battle against a knee injury. Fish, who won 62 caps fro South Africa, was originally reported to have retired in August having aggravated the injury while on loan at Ipswich Town.