FA Cup round-up: Scott Rendell’s late strike sends Hatters mad as Chris Hughton’s hapless Canaries crash out

The Premier League outfit, 85 places higher in the football pyramid than their Conference visitors, were stunned by Rendell’s 80th-minute strike.

And Rendell, who ghosted in at the near post to direct JJ O’Donnell’s cross into the net, was delighted to play his part in the shock, which was the first time a top-flight outfit had lost in the cup to a non-league side since Sutton beat Coventry in 1989.

“It’s unbelievable to score the winner in a cup tie like this,” he said.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to come to a Premiership club like Norwich and turn them over. It’s fantastic to be part of history. We were aware of it. It’s been a fantastic day for everyone.”

Hatters boss Paul Buckle, who was a team-mate of Norwich counterpart Chris Hughton at Brentford, added: “I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet. It’s an incredible performance by the players.

“I’m absolutely delighted for the players and the fans were out of this world. The players got it right and I want them to enjoy this.”

Norwich were not the only Premier League side to suffer humiliation, as QPR went down 4-2 at home to Milton Keynes.

The visitors, who lost against the Rs in last season’s third round, were four up on the hour at Loftus Road thanks to Armand Traore’s own-goal plus strikes from Ryan Lowe, Ryan Harley and Darren Potter.

Jay Bothroyd and Fabio pulled two back in the last seven minutes for the hosts, but the result left manager Harry Redknapp seething.

“We gave two diabolical goals away,” he said.

“Terrible, sloppy defending and suddenly you find yourself 2-0 down. The third goal is offside, to be honest, but that is not an excuse. The fourth goal was another sloppy goal and you can’t give sloppy goals away like that and win
football matches.”

Premier League champions Manchester City left it late before Pablo Zabaletta’s deft finish saw them through at Stoke, while neighbours Manchester United beat Fulham 4-1 and Macclesfield were unable to emulate Luton’s exploits as they lost 1-0 at home to Wigan.