Middlesbrough will meet Cardiff in the FA Cup quarter-finals after Paddy Kenny’s own goal gave Gareth Southgate’s men a 1-0 extra-time win over Sheffield United.

The game looked destined for penalties but with just six minutes of extra-time remaining Mido’s deflected shot came back off a post and trickled over the line off the hapless Kenny.

It was cruel on the Blades who defended brilliantly throughout, and could have nicked the game in the last minute of normal time when James Beattie stabbed wide from close-range.

Afonso Alves made his first start in Middlesbrough colours and could have easily scored, but the Brazilian was denied by two smart saves from Kenny before he was withdrawn in the second-half.

With Gareth Southgate’s side needing replays in each round of last season’s competition before going out in the quarter-finals at the second attempt at Manchester United, and the Blades having drawn their last six matches, the chances of the tie ending after 90 minutes always looked remote.

However, had Alves had his way, Boro could have been all but home and dry by the time the whistle brought an end to the first half.
The Brazilian could barely believe his luck when nine minutes into his full debut, he ran unmarked onto Fabio Rochemback’s corner in front of goal.

A square connection would have seen the ball fly into the net with Kenny stranded, but his glancing touch simply sent it wide of the far post and let the visitors off the hook.

But a man who scored 49 goals in as many games for previous club Heerenveen was never likely to dwell on that miss or to have to wait long for another opportunity, and his chance duly arrived 10 minutes before the break.

Matthew Kilgallon was booked for his trip on Alves 30 yards out, but it was Kenny who had to pick up the pieces and the South American blasted in a dipping, swerving free-kick which the keeper did well to parry.

Downing had earlier gone close to celebrating his signing of a new five-year contract in style when he exchanged passes with Rochemback and then dragged a right-foot shot just across the face of goal.

However, it was in the unlikely shape of full-back Young that Boro threatened as the half drew to a close, the defender seeing a stabbed close-range effort turned away by Kenny’s foot before shooting into the side-netting in injury time.

Kenny had to come to the rescue once again on 65 minutes, clinging on to Alves’ driven shot under extreme pressure after Julio Arca had broken from his own half to feed the striker.

Alves’ evening came to an end on 73 minutes as he made way for Tuncay, but the visitors sensed their opportunity and mounted a strong finish with Beattie again prominent.

Agonisingly wide
The former Blackburn striker fired agonisingly wide from Gary Speed’s low cross in the final minutes of normal time, but the tie was destined to go another half-hour.

Kenny once again kept his side in it with a fine double save from Downing and Tuncay seven minutes into extra time, but it was he who ultimately handed Boro their place in the last eight through a cruel twist of fate.

Mido’s shot reared up off the prone Morgan and looped up on to the post, and as it dropped towards goal, the keeper could only palm the ball into his own net.