Sylvan Ebanks-Blake scored twice to fire a second-string Wolverhampton Wanderers side into the Carling Cup third round at the expense of Northampton Town.
The League Two Cobblers, 82 places beneath their high-flying visitors, almost took a shock lead but Adebayo Akinfenwa blazed over from close range.
And they were made to pay as a double from Ebanks-Blake, Nenad Milijas’ fine free-kick and a late strike from Sam Vokes sent the Barclays Premier League side through.
American defender Eric Lichaj set Aston Villa on their way to a place in the third round of the Carling Cup with an 80th-minute goal against League Two side Hereford.
Villa sealed their victory when substitute Nathan Delfouneso popped up with a second goal two minutes from time.
The plucky visitors battled hard but Villa’s superior class was always evident as they completed a deserved win.
Craig Mackail-Smith’s extra-time header saw Brighton beat Sunderland in the second round of the Carling Cup and added to Steve Bruce’s woes days after the derby defeat to Newcastle United.
Sunderland rarely threatened on the south coast and Brighton will feel justice was done after they were denied a 64th-minute penalty claim by referee Andy D’Urso.
QPR saw the euphoria that has greeted Tony Fernandes’ takeover of the club pierced when they were dumped out of the Carling Cup by Rochdale.
Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and Gary Jones booked the npower League One outfit a place in the third round with a goal in each half.
An under-strength Norwich City side lost to their inspired visitors MK Dons at Carrow Road.
The League One visitors were simply too good for a Norwich side which was completely different to the line-up that drew at Stoke City on Sunday, with two goals from former Canary Luke Chadwick setting them on course for victory.
Sam Baldock and substitute Daniel Powell were also on target as Paul Lambert’s side simply crumbled.
League Two Shrewsbury Town roared back from a goal down to beat Swansea City.
Graham Turner’s men reached the third round for the first time in 18 years, a feat that looked unlikely when Shane Cansdell-Sherriff turned an early header into his own net.
But first-round hero Marvin Morgan levelled before half-time and Mark Wright put Shrewsbury ahead midway through the second half before Nicky Wroe finished the visitors off at the end.
Marc-Antoine Fortune’s brace helped West Bromwich Albion secure a convincing 4-1 victory at Bournemouth in the Carling Cup second round.
Baggies manager Roy Hodgson rested his entire side from Saturday’s defeat at Chelsea for the match at Dean Court.
Despite the changes, Jerome Thomas managed to break the deadlock and Fortune doubled their advantage with half-time approaching.
Steve Lovell pulled one back for the Cherries, but it proved a mere consolation as efforts from Simon Cox and Fortune settled the tie.