Middlesbrough suffered late heartache after substitute Glen Murray’s fortunate 90th minute winner earned Brighton & Hove Albion a place in the FA Cup fifth round.
That occurred as home full-back George Friend attempted to clear and Murray’s block challenge rebounded straight past goalkeeper Darren Randolph.
Recalled forward Ashley Fletcher had earlier seen a low drive from the edge of the area going wide, with Markus Suttner’s reply comfortably over the target.
Home defender Daniel Ayala then couldn’t get enough on a Martin Braithwaite corner before Patrick Bamford proved too high with their next effort.
Adama Traore also had a strike diverted onto an upright by goalkeeper Tim Krul from Fletcher’s assist as the interval was reached.
Manager Tony Pulis made a double-change upon the restart with Stewart Downing and Britt Assombalonga coming on for Braithwaite and Fletcher
Meanwhile, Spanish centre-back Ayala then seemed to suffer a groin injury and was replaced by youngster Dael Fry.
But it was Traore narrowly wide of the mark and Downing also trying his luck from distance as chances were proving restricted.
That was until the late drama witnessed Murray’s winner for the Premier League newcomers and Boro’s unfortunate exit from the competition.
Middlesbrough: Randolph, Shotton, Ayala (Fry 65), Gibson, Friend, Traore, Clayton, Howson, Fletcher (Assombalonga 56), Bamford, Braithwaite (Downing 56)
subs (unused): Konstantopoulos, Leadbitter, Johnson, Christie
Brighton & Hove Albion Krul, Rosenior, Goldson, Hunemeier, Suttner, Knockaert, Stephens (Propper 46), Kayal, Skalak (Izquierdo 61), Baldock, Hemed (Murray 72)
subs (unused): Dunk, Maenpaa, Gross, Schelotto
Goals: Murray (90)
Ref: A. Taylor
Att: 20,475
Share this article
