Boro get welcome FA Cup lifeline

Middlesbrough 1 Coventry 0

The Premiership strugglers, who will travel to Preston next weekend, were ahead after 20 minutes through Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s ninth goal of the season, and were well in control when the half-time whistle sounded.

However, Coca-Cola Championship side Coventry set about their hosts with some relish after the break, and although they at times left themselves vulnerable at the back, they ensured an intensely difficult last 45 minutes for Steve McClaren and his under-fire troops.