Jake Hesketh gave Middlesbrough a badly-needed lesson in finishing last night as Burton Albion stunned the Championship club and reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Middlesbrough lacked firepower again, while Hesketh - on loan from Southampton - produced a superb strike to seal Burton’s cup dream in the 48th minute.
And Boro’s fate was sealed when Aden Flint somehow managed to miss a glorious chance in front of goal in the closing stages.
MATCH FACTS
Middlesbrough: Randolph, Fry, Flint, Batth, Friend, Wing, Leadbitter, Besic (Tavernier 63), Downing, Hugill (Assombalonga 63), Braithwaite (Fletcher 72)
Subs Not Used: Ayala, McNair, Saville, Lonergan
Booked: Hugill, Besic
Burton Albion: Collins, Brayford, Buxton, Turner, Harness, Allen, Quinn, Hutchinson, Hesketh (Fox 81), Akins, Fraser
Subs Not Used: Sbarra, McCrory, Miller, Hodge, Wallace, Evtimov
Booked: Hesketh, Collins
Goals: Hesketh 48
Attendance: 17,342
Referee: Michael Oliver
It had started promisingly, however, for Tony Pulis’s team.