Two first-half headers from summer signing Paul Hayes, the second of them from a cross delivered by Rovers old boy Keith Treacy, put North End in control before Michel Salgado fouled Sean St Ledger to allow Chris Brown to make it 3-0 from the penalty spot.

There was better fortune for Wolves as a successful short trip to Walsall ended in a resounding 4-0 win.

Youngster Ashley Hemmings headed the opener from Greg Halford's fine cross and Sam Vokes scored twice in five minutes shortly before half-time, first tapping in Scott Malone's cross and then seizing on defensive confusion to make it 3-0.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake powered into the box to smash home an emphatic fourth and substitute Kevin Doyle was in irrepressible form, three times going close to a deserved goal.

Wigan were held to a 1-1 draw at Oldham, who took a first-half lead when Dale Stevens volleyed home superbly after running onto a poor clearance on the edge of Wigan's 18-yard box.

The equaliser came when Jordi Gomez was clumsily hauled down in the penalty area by Paul Black and got up to convert the penalty.

Promoted Blackpool won 2-1 at Accrington in the opening game of the npower League Two side's Joma Cup.

Brett Ormerod slotted home the opener but Jimmy Ryan curled in a superb equaliser direct from a free-kick.

But Ishmel Demontagnac crossed for Keith Southern to head Blackpool's winner in a second half littered with substitutions.

Fellow top-flight newcomers West Brom slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Crewe.

Calvin Zola wasted two early chances for the hosts before the Baggies' Lateef Elford-Alliyu went closes to a first-half breakthrough, heading Reuben Reid's cross against the bar.

But Luke Murphy scored the only goal of the game for Alex after being picked out in the penalty area by full-back Matt Tootle.