Middlesbrough 1 Brighton 0

Last updated : 03 October 2003 By Holgate

After a disastrous Carling Cup week for North East teams, Middlesbrough had the consolation of progress at the Riverside Stadium with a 1-0 win over Brighton.

The Second Division Seagulls battled all the way and it took an extra time goal by substitute Malcolm Christie to clinch a third round ticket for Middlesbrough. Ironically, it was the first goal of the season for the former Derby County striker.

Middlesbrough deserved their win but Brighton made them fight all the way.

It was a sporting game, with the rarity of only one yellow card, well controlled by Merseyside referee George Cain.

Cain allowed the game to flow and the players responded with sporting conduct. This was reflected in only 20 free kicks, 10 for each team, over the 120 minutes.

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren had made it clear before the game that he did not regard the Carling Cup as a "nuisance" competition.

McClaren wanted to build on the weekend Premier League win over Everton and he fielded a strong side, even though crowd favourite Juninho was again on the substitute's bench.

Brighton had excellent backing from around 300 hardy fans who had made the 620 mile round trip to the North East.

Middlesbrough suffered an early blow when skipper Gareth Southgate left the field with a leg injury after only 18 minutes.

The game was played at a fast tempo and although Middlesbrough held balance of play there was never a two-division gap in class between the teams.

Boro had 20 goal attempts compared to 10 by the visitors but a combination of stout Brighton defensive work and limited attacking power by Middlesbrough brought a goalless score line after 90 minutes.

Brighton suffered a blow early in the second half when Simon Rodger fell awkwardly when unchallenged. Rodger was in obvious pain and was stretchered off after 49 minutes.

It looked as though Rodger had suffered a knee ligament injury.

Christie broke the deadlock in the fourth minute of extra time when he met a Jonathan Greening cross at the near post and flicked the ball past impressive goalkeeper Michels Kuipers.
Team:
Schwarzer, Mills, Southgate (Riggott 18), Cooper, Queudrue, Downing (Christie 65), Boateng, Doriva, Greening, Ricketts (Juninho 65), Nemeth
Subs Not Used: Nash (g), Stockdale
Middlesbrough
Goals: Christie, M 94
Bookings: Ricketts, M 38
Brighton
No goalscorers
No bookings