Thursday 25 August 2016 08:08, UK
League Two side Accrington Stanley knocked out Premier League Burnley in dramatic style thanks to Matty Pearson's strike in the last minute of extra-time.
Accrington created very little over the course of what was almost a goalless 120 minutes at the Crown Ground, but a much-changed Burnley were unable to put the game to bed, even after the introduction of Andre Gray in the second half.
Stanley sat deeper and deeper as the game drifted into extra-time, but there was always likely to be one big chance before a penalty shootout, and that chance fell to Pearson after a goalmouth scramble in the Burnley box.
The defender had no time to think about the chance, but finished clinically to send Accrington into round three where they meet West Ham at the London Stadium.
Sean Dyche made ten changes from the Burnley team that beat Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday, and it showed, with the Clarets struggling to find rhythm in the early stages.
Accrington, however, failed to take advantage of the visitors' lack of fluency early on and soon came under the cosh when Burnley's Premier League quality began to show.
Michael Kightly went close with a free-kick and Lukas Jutkiewicz was inches away from tucking into an empty net as he slid in to meet a cross, but the teams went in goalless at the break.
Andre Gray came on in the second half and added some extra energy to Burnley's play, but he was denied by Elliott Parish with the best chance of the regulation 90 minutes as the game drifted into extra-time.
Burnley continued to look by far the better of the two teams during the additional 30 minutes, but Stanley looked comfortable soaking up the pressure and were able to whip in a cross right at the death, which pinballed around the box before Pearson's crucial touch.
Accrington's reward for their efforts will be a trip to the London Stadium in Stratford to play West Ham United in the third round.
