Boro's cup dream is over

Having led the tie twice, Boro let it slip and allowed the hosts the book a place in the last four.

Boro sent a couple of changes out into the crisp Lancashire air, with Billy Logan starting up top and Matthew Lucid joining Matty Turnbull and Dom Roma in a three at the heart of the defence.

That back-line was tested in the early stages, with home striker Kurt Willoughby causing the issues.

Fortunately keeper Joe Green was in good nick, as he twice denied the lively Willoughby and clung onto a weak close-range header from Brad Carroll.

It was somewhat against the run of play when Boro took the lead just before the 15 minute mark.

Benny Igiehon troubled home keeper Chris Thompson enough to make him make a mess of things and Logan lifted the ball home from 20 yards.

Clitheroe soon levelled though in run-of-the-mill fashion with Louis Myers cleverly heading a long throw beyond a stranded Green.

Boro switched back through the gears and Benny Igiehon restored the advantage after a sweeping move through the middle.

But again the stall followed and Clitheroe restored parity in bizarre fashion.

Jameel Ible cleared a corner, but took out keeper Green at the same time. This gave Ryan Ellison an open goal, which he found from the edge of the box.

That ended the first-half burst of goals, but a fifth almost came at the beginning of the new period.

Logan released Igiehon, who's drilled centre just missed the to of the rampaging Ible.

After a slight scare when Green had to pluck the ball off Charlie Russell's foot, Logan twice brought the best out of home stopper Thompson.

The striker's driven free-kick was tipped out of the top corner, then Logan tried the high road, but his curling effort was held as it looked destined for the net.

With their purple patch not paying dividend, Boro were punished with 20 minutes remaining.

The visitors failed to clear their lines and Myers let fly with an angled drive that skidded past Green.

Boro went in search of equilibrium, as Jamie Price crashed a deflected strike just over the bar.

As time crept on they threw more and more at it, with sub Ellis Humble and fellow defender Matt Lucid joining the attack.

But they failed to net that goal to force penalties and their cup dreams came at an end.