Harrad The Hero In Late Cup Scalp

Burton Albion 2-1 Middlesbrough

Two late Shaun Harrad goals saw Middlesbrough sensationally dumped out of the FA Cup at the hands of League Two strugglers Burton Albion.

A defensive lapse allowed Brewers striker Harrad to fire home the winner deep into stoppage time. A sense of deja vu for Boro fans; this the third time in less than a month that their side have thrown away leads in time added on.

The Championship side dominated with Kris Boyd testing Albion keeper Adam Legzdins before heading narrowly wide. Tony McMahon also threatened, his effort hitting the crossbar.

After a somewhat frustrating first half, it was the away side that took the lead. Gary O’Neil curling in a 25-yard free kick as a result of a foul on striker Leroy Lita.

The home side rarely threatened Danny Coyne in the Boro goal and as time approached the 80 minute mark the visitors looked set for a date in the fourth round. But a low cross from Russell Penn picked out Burton’s leading scorer Shaun Harrad, who turned the ball in to level.

Lita and Boyd wasted further chances to regain Boro’s lead and were made to pay when Harrad took advantage of a deflected free kick deep in injury time, finding the ball at his feet before smashing home to complete the comeback and pen his name into the Burton Albion record books.

Att: 5,236