Lee Tomlin scored twice as Middlesbrough overcame Preston North End 3-1 in the Capital One Cup second round.
Following a scoreless opening half, Tomlin curled in a free-kick after being fouled early in the second period.
However, Middlesbrough-born Jordan Hugill equalised just three minutes later, only for Bradley Fewster to immediately restore the home advantage.
And just six minutes after that, Tomlin added a superb second of the evening to clinch a third round place.
The opening period had been largely uneventful until Tomlin was brought down by John Welsh and promptly despatched his 51st minute free-kick into the net.
But then Will Hayhurst’s cross was flicked on for Hugill to level against his boyhood favourite club.
A third goal in six minutes witnessed Boro back in front courtesy of Fewster turning his first senior strike in at the near post from an Albert Adomah cross.
Tom Clarke headed over another Hayhurst delivery as the visitors threatened another equaliser – before Tomlin’s fine solo run ended with a low shot into the corner.
Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Abella, Hines, Ayala, Husband, Clayton, Whitehead, Fewster, Adomah (Kike 77), Nsue Lopez (Reach 41), Tomlin (Ledesma 68)
subs (unused): Friend, Leadbitter, Omeruo, Mejias
Goals: Tomlin (51, 66) Fewster (57)
Preston North End: Jones, Wiseman, Davies, Browne, Clarke, King, Welsh (Brownhill 64), Kilkenny, Hugill (Davies 68), Hayhurst, Laird (Little 77)
subs (unused): Gallagher, Garner, Woods, Stuckmann
Goals: Hugill (54)
Ref: M. Haywood
Att: 10,727
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