Doncaster Rovers lost in the cup for the second time in four days, this time losing to Crewe on penalties at Gresty Road in the Johnstone`s Paint Trophy.
Crewe won 5-3 on penalties with Robbie Blake missing the crucial spot kick after the game had finished 1-1.
After crashing out of the FA Cup on Saturday, Rovers had been hit by injuries and a virus and boss Dean Saunders had to include three of last season`s youth side in the starting eleven.
Despite the changes, Rovers started strongly and David Cotterill and Chris Brown both went close with efforts.
A post then denied Robbie Blake when his long-range free kick came crashing back off the woodwork.
Crewe also saw an effort come off the woodwork, when Chuks Aneke saw his effort comeback off the crossbar.
The home side took the lead in injury time at the end of the first half when Mathias Pogba fired home a Max Clayton cross.
Chris Brown and Robbie Blake both had efforts to get Rovers back into the game in the second half, but the home side came close to doubling their lead with Pogba seeing an effort comeback off the post.
Rovers were given late hope when Matt Tootle was sent off for Crewe for his second yellow card of the evening and Rovers took full advantage when Brown bundled home an equaliser deep into stoppage time and the game would go to penalties.
Chris Brown and Iain Hume scored their penalties to level the shoot-out at 2-2 before Robbie Blake saw his penalty hit the bar after Crewe had gone 3-2 ahead.
Despite Paul Quinn netting Rovers next penalty, Rovers goalkeeper Gary Woods could not deny any of the Crewe penalty takers to go down 5-3.
Teams
Crewe:
Phillips, Tootle, Davis, Dugdale, Robertson, Inman (Moore 88), Aneke (Turton 76), Pogba, Osman, Clayton (Colclough 82), Dalla Valle
Subs not used:
Martin, Ellis
Doncaster:
G. Woods, Husband (Finnigan 54), Martis, Griffin (Quinn 65), Cotterill (Hume 54), Wakefield, Clingan, Meade, Brown, Blake, Middleton
Subs not used:
Maxted, Ball
Crewe win on penalties 5-3*
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