Steve McClaren made a number of enforced changes for today’s cup tie against Man. United.
In came Colin Cooper and Dean Windass for the injured Ugo Ehiogu and Szilard Nemeth, while Robbie Mustoe replaced Paul Ince who was suspended.
Man. United were without David Beckham and Juan Sebastian Veron who were both injured, while Ryan Giggs and Ruud van Nistelrooy started on the bench.
The stadium was only half full due to Boro’s pricing of the game and the fact that it was live on Sky Sports. Only the away supporters section of the stands was full, with empty seats by the thousand all over the home sections.
There was little to get excited about in the first half, Boro failing to hit the target while Man. United were restricted to just a couple of chances.
Robbie Mustoe was perfectly positioned to clear a Ronnie Wallwork header off the line and Olwe Gunnar Solskjaer was only inches away from connecting with a Michael Silvestre cross at the near post.
Boro made two changes at half time, bringing on Mark Wilson and Jason Gavin for the disappointing Carlos Marinelli and Allan Johnston. It allowed Boro to play with wing backs and pack the midfield.
The change had an immediate affect as Boro threatened with three long range shots in the opening minutes.
First Wilson tested Fabian Barthez after a surging run from halfway, then Robbie Stockdale tested the keeper from 25 yards. Finally Dean Windass made Barthez earn his corn with a 20 yarder which the keeper turned for a corner.
With just over ten minutes gone in the half Boro almost took the lead with a Colin Cooper free-kick. His shot clipped Windass on the shoulder and went agonisingly past the post with Barthez struggling to reach it.
In an attempt stop Boro in their stride Man. United made two substitutions, bringing on Giggs and van Nistelrooy for Wallwork and Luke Chadwick. Boro fans around the ground feared the worst.
United turned up the pressure but Boro held firm and rode their luck with a couple of close shaves. Mustoe cleared off the line again, this time from Silvestre and Gavin cleared a dangerous Phil Neville cross.
Paul Scholes missed the target from ten yards as United threatened to win the tie but Boro had other ideas and were rewarded in the last five minutes.
A long clearance by Mark Crossley was left by Laurent Blanc and Noel Whelan broke clear to poke the ball between Barthez’s legs. 1-0 to Boro with only five minutes left, hopefully not long enough for United to come back.
In the dying minutes Andy Campbell, on for Wilson, closed down Barthez just outside his box and the Frenchman was forced into a hurried clearance which only found Whelan on the halfway line. He raced forward and played in Windass who was overlapping down the right, his first time cross was met by Campbell at the far post who headed powerfully into the corner, 2-0 Boro, game over.
Forget the excuses that United will no-doubt make, Boro were well worth their victory after a superb second half performance. Another big game on Tuesday, away to the Mackems, three points being much more important than a good cup run, although the confidence will help.
In came Colin Cooper and Dean Windass for the injured Ugo Ehiogu and Szilard Nemeth, while Robbie Mustoe replaced Paul Ince who was suspended.
Man. United were without David Beckham and Juan Sebastian Veron who were both injured, while Ryan Giggs and Ruud van Nistelrooy started on the bench.
The stadium was only half full due to Boro’s pricing of the game and the fact that it was live on Sky Sports. Only the away supporters section of the stands was full, with empty seats by the thousand all over the home sections.
There was little to get excited about in the first half, Boro failing to hit the target while Man. United were restricted to just a couple of chances.
Robbie Mustoe was perfectly positioned to clear a Ronnie Wallwork header off the line and Olwe Gunnar Solskjaer was only inches away from connecting with a Michael Silvestre cross at the near post.
Boro made two changes at half time, bringing on Mark Wilson and Jason Gavin for the disappointing Carlos Marinelli and Allan Johnston. It allowed Boro to play with wing backs and pack the midfield.
The change had an immediate affect as Boro threatened with three long range shots in the opening minutes.
First Wilson tested Fabian Barthez after a surging run from halfway, then Robbie Stockdale tested the keeper from 25 yards. Finally Dean Windass made Barthez earn his corn with a 20 yarder which the keeper turned for a corner.
With just over ten minutes gone in the half Boro almost took the lead with a Colin Cooper free-kick. His shot clipped Windass on the shoulder and went agonisingly past the post with Barthez struggling to reach it.
In an attempt stop Boro in their stride Man. United made two substitutions, bringing on Giggs and van Nistelrooy for Wallwork and Luke Chadwick. Boro fans around the ground feared the worst.
United turned up the pressure but Boro held firm and rode their luck with a couple of close shaves. Mustoe cleared off the line again, this time from Silvestre and Gavin cleared a dangerous Phil Neville cross.
Paul Scholes missed the target from ten yards as United threatened to win the tie but Boro had other ideas and were rewarded in the last five minutes.
A long clearance by Mark Crossley was left by Laurent Blanc and Noel Whelan broke clear to poke the ball between Barthez’s legs. 1-0 to Boro with only five minutes left, hopefully not long enough for United to come back.
In the dying minutes Andy Campbell, on for Wilson, closed down Barthez just outside his box and the Frenchman was forced into a hurried clearance which only found Whelan on the halfway line. He raced forward and played in Windass who was overlapping down the right, his first time cross was met by Campbell at the far post who headed powerfully into the corner, 2-0 Boro, game over.
Forget the excuses that United will no-doubt make, Boro were well worth their victory after a superb second half performance. Another big game on Tuesday, away to the Mackems, three points being much more important than a good cup run, although the confidence will help.