GWENT hot-shots James Collins and Byron Anthony fired Cardiff City into the last 16 of the Carling Cup last night, albeit on penalties.

City beat AFC Bournemouth 5-4 on penalties after the game had ended 3-3 after extra-time and 2-2 after 90 minutes.

Second-half substitute Anthony and Collins along with Lee Bullock, Alan Lee and Chris Barker all converted from the spot after captain Graham Kavanagh had missed City's opening penalty.

But Brian Stock hit the post with Bournemouth's opening penalty and when Neil Alexander saved Marcus Browning's effort it was all over for the Cherries.

Bournemouth were the better side for much of the first half and forged ahead through prolific striker James Hayter after just eight minutes.

But Cardiff battled back bravely to gain a foothold in the game and Alan Lee pounced to net an equaliser with 24 minutes gone.

The visitors pushed on after the break and went ahead shortly after the restart through Lee Bullock.

But Bournemouth were not to be denied and snatched a dramatic equaliser in the 90th minute as Hayter headed home a John Spicer cross.

Cameron Jerome, making only his second senior appearance for City, fired the visitors ahead again with a cool finish in extra time.

But Welshman Brian Stock's stunning free-kick after Tony Vidmar had been sent off, forced the lottery of penalties.

Cardiff boss Lennie Lawrence was relieved to get through after the League One side fought back twice to take the game to penalties.

Lawrence said: "I thought we did enough to win the game in normal time.

"In the end it felt like we had won the game three times as they kept coming back and then I started to get concerned.

"But maybe there was some justice for us to go through.

"An equaliser in injury time was like a dagger to the heart and one at the end of extra time was like another dagger.

"But it was a fantastic game for the fans."

Bournemouth manager Sean O'Driscoll praised his players' performance.

He said: "I am extremely proud of my lads.

" We wanted to put on a performance and the way we played I thought we did well.

"I couldn't ask for much more.

"We wanted to show people what we can do and in the three games in this competition we have shown that.

"We did what we wanted to do so I am proud.

"Eight thousand people saw a good game and some smashing goals. "But when it goes to penalties it's a lottery and sometimes you win and sometimes you don't."

Carling Cup, Third Round results: Bournemouth 3 Cardiff 3 (Cardiff win 5-4 on penalties), Burnley 3 Aston Villa 1, Crewe 0 Man Utd 3, Doncaster 0 Nottm Forest 2, Millwall 0 Liverpool 3, Portsmouth 2 Leeds 1, Sheff Utd 0 Watford 0 (Watford win 4-2 on penalties).

Tonight's Carling Cup fixtures: Third Round, kick-off 7.45 unless stated, Birmingham v Fulham, Bolton v Tottenham (8.00), Charlton v Crystal Palace (8.00), Chelsea v West Ham, Everton v Preston (8.00), Man City v Arsenal, Middlesbrough v Coventry (8.00), Newcastle v Norwich, Southampton v Colchester