As ever in this competition, a few Championship Clubs, probably seeing the first round more as a pre-season friendly in some cases, came unstuck against lower league opposition.
None more so than Brighton & Hove Albion who were well and truely humbled at The Amex by League new comers Newport County as the Welsh side clocked up an impressive 3-1 win in Sussex, even though Barnes gave the Seagulls the lead in the 18th minute. Crow made sure that the tie went to extra time with an 81st minute leveller after Calderon was sent off for the home side mid way through the second period. A remarkable night was sealed when Crow (94th min) netted his second of the evening, leaving Washington to put the icing on the cake in the 103rd minute.
Another Championship scalp was taken by Accington Stanley as the League Two side edged Middlesbrough at The Riverside, even though Jutkiewicz had given the home side the lead in the 9th minute. Goals from Carver (40th min) and Mingola (81st min) rounded off a famous win for the minnows.
Blackburn Rovers were humbled on the road at Brunton Park where Carlisle United managed to seal a win on penalties after the two couldn't be separated by 120 minutes of football. Amoo gave the Cumbrians the lead int he 14th minute, only to see the Championship side hit back with two quick goals just after the break through Cairney (52nd min) and Taylor (56th min). Parity was restored 6 minutes later when Guy levelled with a goal that took the two to extra time. Judge edged Rovers back in front in the 95th minute, with Amoo netting his second in the 114th minute. Carlisle United won the resulting shoot out 4-3.
Stevenage Borough caused an upset at their Lamex Stadium as they managed to win through against Ipswich Town with a 2-0 win. A Morais penalty in the 6th minute got the home side off to the perfect start, with Burrow sealing the result and a place in the next round with an 85th minute strike.
A pitch invasion marred the first round encounter between Preston North End and Blackpool at Deepdale as a solitary strike from Clarke in the 87th minute clinched the tie for the League One side.
Rotherham United managed to see off near neighbours Sheffield Wednesday at their New York Stadium. Pringle got the Millers off the mark with a strike in the 10th minute. McCabe levelled in the 23rd minute, leaving Frecklington to bag what proved to be the winner in the 38th minute.
Barnsley were given a scare by League Two Scunthorpe United at Oakwell as the two cancelled each other out with a 0-0 draw. The home managed to squeak through with a 5-4 penalty shoot out win.
The remaining ties went to form ............
Birmingham City managed to see off a plucky Plymouth Argyle side at St Andrews as the Championship side were taken to extra time. An Allan brace gave the Blues' the lead in the 49th and 84th minutes only to see Alessandra peg the home side back in the 61st and on the stroke of full time. The tie was decided in the 2nd minute of extra time when Bartley popped up with the winner.
AFC Bournemouth managed to see off south coast neighbours Portsmouth with a 1-0 win at Dean Court as O'Kane scored the only goal of the tie in the 54th. minute.
Bristol Rovers found life against Watford difficult at The Memorial ground as the visitors ran away with a 3-1 win. Goals from Murray (19th & 35th mins), Angella (30th min) put the game beyond doubt even with Richards giving the Pirates hope with a comeback with a goal in the 41st minute.
Charlton Athletic made light work of Oxford United at The Valley as goals from Church (18th & 57th minutes), Green (49th min) and a penalty from Pigott in the 96th minute put the game beyond doubt.
Doncaster Rovers were made to work every inch of the way by Rochdale at the Keepmoat as the home side had to be patient until the final minute when Kumalo popped up with the winner.
Queens Park Rangers headed to Exeter City to claim their place in the Second round as goals from Austin (3rd min) and Simpson (50th min) meant safe passage for the west London side.
There's no repeat for Bradford City this season if they were harbouring any hopes of another famous cup run. Their Carling Cup exploits were snuffed out at the first hurdle as Huddersfield Town booked their place with a Vaughan brace in the 42nd and 54th minutes. A response from Wells was a mere consolation in the final minute.
Leeds United eventually made it through against Chesterfield at Elland Road, but had to come from behind after Doyle gave the Spirites the lead in the 19th minute. The turn around was complete as Brown (28th min) and Poleon (32nd min) booked the Yorkshire sides' place in the next round.
Millwall managed to edge past AFC Wimbledon at The Den as goals from Keogh (52nd min) and Woolford (76th min) practically sealed it, leaving Moore with a 90minute consolation.
Nottingham Forest made light work of Hartlepool United at The City Ground as goals from Majewski (33rd min), Halford (65th min) and Derbyshire (67th min) put the result out of reach, leaving Austin to bag a consolation in the 76th minute.
Derby County had to make do with a single goal win over Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park as Jacobs netted the only goal in the 20th minute.
Yeovil Town managed to see off Southend United at Roots Hall as Dawson bagged the only goal of the game in the 36th minute.
Leicester City were made to work for their place in the next round of the Carling Cup at Adams Park against Wycombe Wanderers. Nugent gave the visitors the lead in the 14th minute, with Kuffour levelling 7 minutes later. St Ledger left it late to bag the winner in the 95th minute.
Burnley made light work of York City at Bootham Crescent as goals from Jones (12th min), Stanislas (61st min), Ings (78th min) and Arfield (82nd min) sealed a comfortable win.