Boro win through at Sunderland

Striker Scott McDonald made it three goals in two games as injury-hit Middlesbrough knocked north-east neighbours Sunderland out of the Capital One Cup at the Stadium of Light.

The winning goal came six minutes before the break when McDonald guided in a low cross from on loan striker Ishmael Miller.

And that was sufficient for a fourth straight away win in the competition for the visitors and a fifth in succession in all games.

Goalkeeper Jason Steele made an early stop from ex-Boro winger Adam Johnson as the home side began brightly. But it wasn't long before their visitors were threatening, with Faris Haroun wide from outside the area and then calling keeper Keiren Westwood into action.

They continued to appear dangerous on the break, with McDonald and Grant Leadbitter each trying their luck - but more especially when McDonald struck against the crossbar from the edge of the area, while John O'Shea headed Johnson's delivery wide in reply.

However, McDonald then met Miller's cross to earn the visitors the lead, although Louis Saha and Steven Fletcher with a shot at Steele, were quick to threaten at the start of the second-half

Nicky Bailey drilled over at the other end while McDonald and Haroun similarly threatened from distance.

Otherwise, Stephane Sessegnon was narrowly off-target for the home side and substitute James McClean saw an effort charged down as Boro deservedly claimed their place in the last eight of the competition.

Sunderland: Westwood, Bardsley, O'Shea, Cuellar, Cattermole, Colback, Vaughan, Johnson (Campbell 82), Sessegnon, Saha (McClean 59), Fletcher

subs (unused): Mignolet, Kilgallon, Meyler, Wickham, McFadden

Middlesbrough: Steele, Hoyte, Hines (Parnaby 65), Bikey, Friend, Leadbitter, Bailey, Haroun, Ledesma (Reach 79), McDonald, Miller (Smallwood 90)

subs (unused): Leutwiler, Zemmama, Halliday, Park

Goals: McDonald (39)

Ref: Dowd

Att: 32,535

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