Simon Baldry put County ahead after just 2 minutes after Stallards break down the left of Town's defence evaded Georges Santos and his shot accross goal brought a great save out of Kelvin Davis, unfortunatley though, the ball fell straight to Baldry, who had no hesitation in putting the ball away from close range to put County ahead.
Five minutes later Pablo Counago hit back from the penalty spot after good work between himself and the impressive Mahon led to a powerful shot from the Irishman which cannoned of the post and fell to Counago, who ran into the County area but was then brought down by a County defender, the referee saw nothing wrong, but the Linesman gave a penalty, and the referee agreed. Counago had no trouble with the penalty, putting it to the right to put the scores back on level terms.
However Town's joy was short lived as the referee awarded the second penalty of the match against Fabian Wilnis for what appeared to be obstruction in a box, an offence which until recentley would result in a free kick inside the box. Mark Stallard has no hesitation, and regained County's lead on 12 minutes from the spot giving Davis no chance.
Town's misery was not helped by Alan Mahon being forced to be withdrawn after 33 minutes, when he was substituted to give Matthew Bloomfield his frst game in a senior Town side. Matt Richards also went off just after the interval, but it was not clear if this was tactical or due to an injury. Armstrong replaced him.
Youngster Sam Morrow came on for the disappointing Dean Bowditch just after the hour, and was soon in the thick of things when Jermaine Wright sent in a well directed cross, with Magilton and Morrow waiting to pounce with headers, Morrow was the man that connected, unfortunatley from four yards out, the youngster was unable to mark his debut with a goal and sent the ball horribly wide.
Three minutes of Injury time was added to help prevent Town from falling to a giant killing act, and big Georges Santos was put up front in the final stages to see if he could force a goal, unfortunatley, he couldn't and Royle's kids were knocked out of the Carling Cup at the Second Round stage in embarassing fashion, outplayed, outfought, and as much as it hurts to say it, outclassed.
Whether the two recent wins against Walsall and Wimbledon were simply a false dawn is open to debate, and it could be argued that Town being forced to field an inexperienced side tonight due to injury had an effect on the result, however, tonights defeat will set the alarm bells ringing again, and being effectively outplayed by a team bottom of Division Two, is simply not acceptable.
Town side: Davis, Wilnis, Naylor, Santos, Richards (Armstrong), Westlake, Wright, Magilton, Mahon (Bloomfield), Counago, Bowditch (Morrow). Subs not used: Price, Nash.
Referee: Paul Robinson