21 January 2005	Friday	10 Zilhaj 1425

MADRID, Jan 20: Real Madrid were dumped out of the King's Cup by Valladolid on the away goals rule after the second division side claimed a deserved 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Valladolid forward Xavi More grabbed the all-important goal when he cut inside defender Roberto Carlos and fired a low shot into the far corner 12 minutes from time to cancel out a Michael Owen strike and put his side into the quarterfinals.

Real, who once again adopted the risky strategy of fielding a side of second string players in the Cup, were outplayed by their determined second division opponents in the first half.

Real's new signing Thomas Gravesen and Albert Celades were unable to take control in the centre of midfield, while strikers Owen and Javier Portillo barely had a sniff of the ball up front.

Coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo clearly did not like the look of what he saw in the first half and threw on Ronaldo, Raul and Zinedine Zidane in place of former youth team players Jurado, Javi Garcia and Portillo after the break.

The in-form Owen looked as though he had secured his side a place in the next round when he raced on to a neat pass from Raul and fired a perfectly-placed angled shot inside the far post 20 minutes into the second half.

Real's celebrations were cut short, however, when the visitors drew level 12 minutes later thanks to More's fine individual goal. Real, who were the losing finalists in last season's competition, join Barcelona, Valencia and Deportivo Coruna on the list of high-profile victims in this season's Cup.

RESULTS:

Real Betis 0 Mirandes 0

Real Betis win 3-1 on aggregate

Getafe 3 Osasuna 2

Osasuna win 4-3 on aggregate

Numancia 1 Elche 0

Numancia win 5-3 on penalties

Athletic Bilbao 6 Lanzarote 0

Athletic bilbao win 7-2 on aggregate

Real Madrid 1 Valladolid 1

Valladolid win on away goal rule.

UNITED SINK EXETER

LONDON: FA Cup holders Manchester United were made to scrap for a 2-0 victory over minor league Exeter City in their third round replay on Wednesday. Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo gave United a ninth minute lead and England teenage striker Wayne Rooney sealed their win in the 87th minute - but only after Exeter had put up some dogged resistance and had a potential equaliser disallowed.

United, who were held to a shock 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on Jan 8, will now host Middlesbrough in the fourth round. Premier League Fulham also made it into the next round with a 2-0 win over second divsion Watford. Another Premier League side Blackburn edged out Cardiff City 3-2 to move into the fourth round.

THIRD ROUND REPLAY RESULTS:

Blackburn Rovers 3 Cardiff City 2

Boston United 0 Hartlepool 1

Exeter City 0 Man United 2

Fulham 2 Watford 0

FRENCH LEAGUE RESULTS

PARIS: French League Cup quarter-final results on Wednesday:

AJ Auxerre 1 Caen 1

(Caen win 6-5 on penalties)

Montpellier (II) 1 Monaco 2

Strasbourg 3 Clermont 2

PLAYED TUESDAY:

RC Lens 0 St Etienne 3. -Agencies