A goal in each half from Aaron McLean and Nick Proschwitz swiftly ended Middlesbrough’s involvement in the FA Cup for another season following a 2-0 home defeat to Hull City.
Ten minutes into the contest, McLean stabbed the visitors in front from David Meyler’s deflected effort before Proschwitz added a second on the hour.
Goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos was handed a debut in the absence of the ineligible Shay Given while loanee defender Daniel Ayala was similarly unavailable for the home side.
But it was the visitors making the more confident start and after Emmanuel Ledesma had lost possession, McLean reacted quickest onto a deflection to lift the ball over the keeper. Konstantopoulos required treatment after being hurt in the incident but was able to continue.
Hull continued to be better in possession and decent covering from Ben Gibson avoided further trouble before Rhys Williams escaped penalty claims after catching Stephen Quinn inside the area.
Boro were restricted to long-range through a couple of attempts from Ledesma while Curtis Main was comfortably wayward.
Head coach Aitor Karanka made two changes at the break and his side began in brighter fashion with Dean Whitehead hoisting over.
However, the Tigers extended their advantage through fine work from George Boyd allowing Proschwitz to find the roof of the net from around twelve-yards.
Boro couldn’t really find a way back after that and veteran keeper Steve Harper was required to deal with a testing cross from substitute Albert Adomah while Konstantopoulos twice saved easily in reply.
Main did head into the side-netting from Adomah’s delivery and Harper turned over late from Grant Leadbitter as the hosts bowed out.
Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Varga, R. Williams, Gibson, Friend, L. Williams (Jutkiewicz 46), Leadbitter, Whitehead, Ledesma (Adomah 46), Main, Emnes (Butterfield 83)
subs (unused): Richardson, Hines, Smallwood, Ripley
Hull City: Harper, Rosenior, Figueroa, Quinn (Jahraldo-Martin 83), McShane (Chester 76), Faye, Boyd, Meyler, Proschwitz, McLean (Elmohamady 80), Nagy
subs (unused): Fryatt, Jakupovic, Sagbo, Fletcher
Goals: McLean (10), Proschwitz (61)
Ref: K. Friend
Att: 15,571
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