Schwarzer saves Yakubu’s blushes

MARK SCHWARZER was Middlesbrough’s FA Cup hero last night as he pulled off two penalty saves to help the Premiership side survive a major scare against Bristol City.

The Australian saved from Phil Jevons and substitute Craig Woodman after Ayegbeni Yakubu, who had missed from the spot in extra-time, hit the post with his side’s fifth attempt – leaving Adam Johnson to win it.

The Coca-Cola League One side had taken the lead through David Noble on 23 minutes. But substitute Mark Viduka levelled to take the tie into extra-time, before defender Jamie McCombe cancelled out Yakubu’s 102nd-minute strike with three minutes remaining.

Yakubu should have won it on 96 minutes when he won a penalty after being tripped by McCombe – but after waiting for Weale to remove and then replace his gloves, the Nigerian shot tamely straight at the goalkeeper.

The former Portsmouth striker redeemed himself within six minutes, tapping home from close range after Weale had palmed Johnson’s shot against McCombe to present him with a simple chance.

There seemed only one likely outcome as Boro pushed forward in the search for a winner in normal time

Viduka fired across the face of goal 12 minutes from time after recycling another Downing cross beyond the far post and City managed to cling on.

Downing went even closer when he thumped the post with an 81st-minute drive and substitute Adam Johnson rattled the crossbar seconds later, but City managed to hang on for extra-time.

Yakubu wasted two further opportunities to make the game safe, and it took an vital clearance by Emanuel Pogatetz to deny substitute Jennison Myrie-Williams.

Schwarzer saved Phil Jevons’ opening penalty attempt – and with the scores at 4-4 after Yakubu had missed once again, he stopped Woodman’s effort too to leave Johnson to win it.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Hines (Davies 46), Pogatetz, Xavier, Taylor, Cattermole (Johnson 68), Rochemback, Boateng, Downing, Yakubu, Christie (Viduka 46).

BRISTOL CITY: Weale, Orr, McCombe, Keogh, Fontaine (Partridge 106), Murray, Russell, Johnson, McAllister (Woodman 43), Noble (Myrie-Williams 88), Jevons.

Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire).