LONDON: South Africa’s Aaron Mokoena scored in the final minute of extra-time as crisis club Portsmouth rallied to beat Coventry City 2-1 in an FA Cup third round replay on Tuesday.

Victory gave Portsmouth, bottom of the Premier League and beset by financial problems, a fourth round tie at home to top-flight rivals Sunderland.

The 2008 FA Cup winners were behind for most of the match after Coventry striker Leon Best fired the home side into a 22nd minute lead. And it seemed cash-strapped Portsmouth were about to exit the FA Cup until Coventry’s Stephen Wright headed into his own net shortly before the end of normal time. The tie was heading for a penalty shoot-out until defender Mokoena headed in the winner with virtually the last act of the game.

Earlier, Barry Ferguson’s first goal for Birmingham saw them beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 in a third round replay to set-up a fourth round tie away to Premier League rivals Everton. In other third round replays second division Derby beat third tier Millwall 5-3 on penalties after the match finished extra-time at 1-1.

Sheffield United almost blew a 3-0 lead away to Championship rivals QPR but held on for a 3-2 win. Lee Williamson had opened the scoring in the 19th minute and then two

goals in three second-half minutes from Jamie Ward and Richard Cresswell left the Blades 3-0 up with 20 minutes left. But Akos Buzsaky’s penalty gave Rangers hope before Damion Stewart’s goal two minutes from time set up a frantic finish.

Likewise, Bristol City’s late equaliser secured a 1-1 draw against Championship rivals Cardiff. Substitute Gavin Williams equalised in the second minute of stoppage-time after Michael Chopra had put Cardiff ahead in the 76th minute.

Roma hit back to avoid cupset

Rome: AS Roma bounced back from conceding a shock early goal against Serie B strugglers Triestina to win 3-1 on Tuesday and qualify for the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.

Roma, who will play Genoa or Catania next, joined Serie A leaders Inter Milan in the last eight after Jose Mourinho’s team beat Livorno 1-0 in December. Triestina were ahead after just five minutes as Luigi Della Rocca converted a penalty after he himself had been fouled by Marco Cassetti.

A shock was on the cards against a weakened Roma, for whom coach Claudio Ranieri rested the likes of centre-back Juan, striker Luca Toni and midfield dynamo Daniele De Rossi. But Roma drew level on the stroke of halftime as Matteo Brighi shot home following a rebound.

Montenegro forward Mirko Vucini gave the hosts the lead on the hour after he was set up by French winger Jeremy Menez. And 10 minutes from time Brazilian

flop Julio Baptista sealed the victory direct from a free-kick.