Robson's boys hold off Stockport

MIDDLESBROUGH scraped into their first major cup final despite losing to never say die Stockport at the Riverside Stadium. County trailed 2-0 from the League Cup semi final first leg, but fullback Sean Connelly fired them ahead five minutes into the turn to throw the tie into the melting pot.

Mikkel Beck hit the crossbar twice and Juninho wasted a string of chances as Boro pressed in vain for an equaliser.

But County's cause suffered a telling blow 16 minutes from time when centre back Tony Dinning was sent off for a late challenge on Fabrizio Ravanelli.

Dave Jones' second division giantkillers kept battling to the end, but Boro survived for a 2-1 aggregate win that set up a Wembley meeting with Leicester.

Boro have been to Wembley before but only in the Zenith Data Systems Cup in 1990, and now they are on course for a twin towers double, date.

They tackle Leicester on Sunday, April 6th, and, a week later, only Stockport's second division play off rivals Chesterfield stand between them and a place in the FA Cup final.

Stockport had claimed three Premiership scalps en route to the semi finals in Blackburn West Ham and Southampton, but their brave run came to an end despite their win on the night.

Jones' battle weary troops, playing their 54th game of the season and their 19th cup tie, had Boro on the ropes after their early breakthrough but could not press home their advantage.

Robson decided to take a gamble by playing Emerson. The Brazilian had recovered from an ankle ligament injury but was one booking away from missing out on a Wembley final.

Robson made three changes from the side which had beaten Derby in the FA Cup quarter finals on Saturday with Emerson replacing Phil Stamp, Neil Cox returning in place of Clayton Blackmore and Mark Schwarzer, cup tied for the Derby game, taking over in goal at the expense of Ben Roberts.

Stockport were unchanged from their league win against Bury, the weekend with 18 goal leading scorer Brett Angell on the bench and 33 year old Andy Mutch partnering Alun Armstrong up front.

Wingers Luis Cavaco and Kieran Durkan and defender Mike Flynn all passed fitness tests toe make the starting line up.

Boro made a storming start and threatened to kill County off inside the opening minutes.

Juninho set up Beck, whose shot struck the angle of post and crossbar and rebounded to safety, and Juninho went agonisingly close with another fierce effort.

But County stunned Boro by taking a fifth minute lead with the first attack. Mike Flynn's freekick was nodded on by Alun Armstrong and Connelly drove it crossshot past Mark Schwarzer to fire County in front with his first goal for the club.

Schwarzer had to get down quickly to prevent Chris Marsden's shot beating him at his near post as County tore into a suddenly nervous looking Boro.

But Juninho did his best to inspire a Boro equaliser. Beck's pass found the Brazilian unmarked inside the County box but Paul, Jones held his stinging shot.

Clayton Blackmore replaced Robbie Mustoe away through the half and Boro stepped up the pressure. Juninho's drive deflected off Tom Bennett for a corner, Jones raced off his line to save at Blackmore's feet and Gianluca Festa's 30 yarder flew just wide.

Juninho wasted a glorious chance to claim an equaliser on the hour. Ravanelli's neat flick on the edge of the County box put the Brazilian through on goal but he tried to lob Jones and his effort crept just over the bar.

Schwarzer came to Boro's rescue with a brilliant save after a 70th minute blunder by Festa. The Italian attempted a suicidal pass across the face of his penalty area and Luis Cavaco intercepted.

The Portuguese winger had only Schwarzer to beat but the Boro keeper spread himself and dived to his left to heat out Cavaco's 10 yard drive.

County were reduced to 10 men 16 minutes from time when centre back Dinning was sent off for a late challenge on Ravanelli. The Italian was defending deep in his own half and when he launched a long clearance Dinning followed through leaving him writhing on the floor.

The referee held a lengthy consultation with his linesman before waving the red card at Dinning.