Boro see off Redcar in Cup clash

A sparse and chilly Queensgate witnessed a drab encounter, but Steve Kittrick's men got over the line with plenty left in their locker.

Boro made seven changes from Saturday's trip to Trafford. Tom Morgan made his first start in goal since signing for the club, while the hosts fielded former Tadcaster men David Brown and Carl Stewart at the spearhead of their attack.

Sadly there was little attacking done and minimal cup magic in the opening half of the game.

Morgan was tested after 15 minutes as he raced from the line to challenge Redcar's Luke Nicholson. The ball looped up towards the goal, but was comfortably dealt with by the duo of Dave Merris and Ellis Humble.

Merris was soon involved at the other end, firing in a swerving shot, but Mike Algie plucked it from the air.

Boro came into the game more as the half went on, and they almost moved into the ascendancy right on the stroke of the break.

Stewart lined up a free-kick on the edge of the box and his bending strike smacked against the post and to safety.

It was more of the same in the second half, though Boro should probably have had a penalty on the hour.

David Brown danced around Jamie Lee's tackle inside the box, but was caught heavily in the process. Referee Mr Stones shook his head.

If a goal was to come then it wasn't going to be pretty and that was the case when Boro took the lead after 66 minutes.

Jordan Harrison strode through a challenge and fired a shot at goal. His effort took an wicked deflection and rolled into the bottom corner past a squirming keeper.

Boro threw on Cameron Murray and Benny Igiehon for the closing stages of the game and Murray almost made an immediate impact.

Having beaten three Redcar defenders, Murray drew the keeper, but lifted the ball over the bar.

There were hints of things livening up further in the closing stages, with playing swinging from end to end.

Stuart Poulter's low strike was swept clear by the legs of Morgan, then, after a long clearance, Igiehon's shot was deflected away to safety.

Boro should have wrapped it up in injury-time when Igiehon and Murray charged clear of the Redcar defence. Igiehon tried a cheeky chip, which was saved by the keeper, meanwhile Murray was clear in a good acre of space.