Charlton Athletic, who have an abysmal record in the League Cup having failed to get beyond the fourth round in the competition's 53 year history, gained an incredible 8-7 penalty shoot out victory over second division Luton Town after a pulsating Carling Cup tie had finished 4-4 after extra time.
The result was a bitter blow for the Hatters who were the better side for much of the game but Charlton kept their nerve in the penalty shoot out scoring all eight of their spot kicks before Luton skipper Chris Coyne saw his penalty saved by Charlton goalkeeper Dean Kiely to send the Premiership side through.
The Londoners have consistently fallen to teams from lower divisions and it looked like the old familiar story as the visitors raced into a two-goal lead.
The Premiership side managed to level at 2-2 but a wonder goal from on-loan Gary McSheffrey 15 minutes from time looked to have again sent Charlton out of the competition.
But four minutes into injury time, Italian striker Paolo Di Canio headed the equaliser and celebrated his first Charlton goal with his customary shirt off wave to the crowd.
Claus Jensen's well struck volley four minutes into extra time looked to have broken Luton hearts as Charlton seemed to be on their way to victory.
But the Hatters refused to buckle and Coyne made it 4-4 after 110 minutes of the match before turning from hero to villain with his penalty miss.
Earlier Kevin Foley had volleyed Luton in front on the half-hour and two minutes later an unmarked David Bayliss put them two ahead.
Scott Parker got Charlton back in the game before half time and Kevin Lisbie then headed home from close range to make it 2-2. McSheffrey's curling left foot shot looked to have given Luton victory before that late equaliser by Di Canio set up extra time.
Brave Luton did themselves proud and after getting themselves out of jail Charlton might feel that this could at last be their season to make some progress in the competition.