Lucky Boro count their blessings

MIDDLESBROUGH are in the draw for last eight of the FA Cup but that is as good as it gets for the Premier League side.

They were fortunate to avoid the fate of so many other top-flight teams in this season’s tournament and be felled by lower-ranked opponents, having been dominated for large periods by an impressive Sheffield United.

Clearly inspired by the arrival of Kevin Blackwell as manager, United bridged the 24-club gap between the two sides’ league positions with a stirring performance and only their finishing let them down.