night could not have been more stark.

For while Manchester City striker Goater was celebrating netting the winning goal in the Worthington Cup tie against Wimbledon, Lightbourne was coming to terms with how his Stoke City side managed to lose 8-0 at home to Liverpool in the same competition.

Goater's goal -- a spectacular over-the-shoulder hook shot -- came in the 80th minute, with the scores locked at 1-1.

City's attacking line-up, featuring three strikers, went a goal down as early as the 11th minute -- Andy Roberts putting the First Division side in front.

But gangly Costa Rican, Paulo Wanchope, brought the sides level after an excellent run and shot from the precocious Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Wright-Phillips saw his shot saved by Dons' keeper Kelvin Davis, but Wanchope was on hand to tap the ball home.

Goater sounded notice of his intent in the second-half, forcing Davis into a point-blank save after Wanchope had played the ball through.

But there was nothing the keeper could do 10 minutes from time.

Mark Kennedy's ball was flicked on by Wanchope and there was Goater to send a fine volley past Davis for his first strike of the campaign.

The victory puts City through to the quarter-finals of the competition where they will face in-form Ipswich Town -- one of the sides who came up from the First Division with them last season.

Meanwhile, it's time for Lightbourne and company to adhere to that old footballing saying -- "Let's concentrate on the league''.

After crashing out of the FA Cup to non-league Nuneaton Borough, his Stoke side dearly wanted to put in a battling performance against Premier League giants Liverpool.

They warmed up for last night's match with a 3-0 League victory over Swindon, and Lightbourne, who scored twice, hoped his season had taken a turn for the better. Sadly, that was not to be last night.

It could have all been so different if the Potters had made the most of early chances.

Firstly Peter Thorne beat the Reds' keeper only to see his shot come back off the post, then, with the score 1-0 to Liverpool, Lightbourne spurned a gilt-edged opportunity.

Stephane Henchoz failed to clear inside his own area and Lightbourne seized on the chance. But instead of connecting cleanly, he mis-kicked with the goal gaping.

That was it for the Bermudian and City -- Liverpool adding to Danny Murphy's opener with further strikes by Christian Ziege, Vladimir Smicer, Markus Babbel, Robbie Fowler (3) and Sami Hyypia.

Shaun Goater's: spectacular goal