FFC columnist

Sunday saw an F.A. Cup fifth round tie at Bramall Lane, which, although lacking goals and quality in parts, was certainly entertaining. In a game which could have gone either way, Middlesbrough would probably have left the happier of the two sides, knowing that if it wasn't for a mixture of good luck and terrific goalkeeping then they could easily have become the second Premiership team in as many rounds to have fallen at Bramall Lane.  

The afternoon started with United coming out of the blocks the quickest. The home side could easily have gone ahead in the first ten minutes, but Schwarzer saved smartly from Matt Kilgallon's strike after ‘Boro failed to clear a corner. Derek Geary's probing cross also caused confusion in the Middlesbrough penalty area but Billy Sharp just couldn't latch on to the full back's ball in.

The game's first moment of controversy came just minutes before the interval, the lively Sharp momentarily escaped the attention of ‘Boro centre half David Wheater and was pulled back by the defender who appeared to be the last man. The decision of referee Chris Foy to issue just a yellow card and not a red did not go down too well with United players and fans, and there was also a feeling within the Middlesbrough following that Wheater was lucky to stay on the pitch.

United went closest to taking the lead just seconds before half time. In the third minute of stoppage time (even though just one minute was indicated by the fourth official) the Blades were awarded another free kick on the edge of the Middlesbrough penalty area. This time a well-worked routine, which originally looked farcical, led to James Beattie striking the foot of Schwarzer's left hand post.

In truth Middlesbrough looked lacklustre in the opening period and the closest they came to a goal was when Stewart Downing - fresh from agreeing a new five-year contract during the week - hit a half volley which United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny had to watch carefully. This however was the closest that ‘Boro came to a goal and there was no doubting the fact that the home side had been the better team.

The second half saw Middlesbrough settle into the game and they started to play some passing football, rather than the long balls that were directed at Mido in the opening period. They were almost rewarded twice within a minute on the hour mark. Firstly Mido tried an acrobatic overhead kick from outside the box that Kenny had to turn over the bar. Then from the resulting corner Wheater rose unchallenged and forced another good save from Kenny.

The game then went through a bit of a lull, with half chances coming at both ends. Downing went close for ‘Boro with another volley which this time went wide, and Chris Armstrong fired over the bar for United.

Going into the last few minutes there was still time for action and controversy at both ends. Firstly George Boateng, on for Julio Arca, appeared to handle the ball in his eighteen yard box when miscuing his attempted clearance from a corner. A penalty would have been harsh, but at the same time they have been given before - anyone remember last season's quarter final at the Riverside?

Then in stoppage time Emmanuel Pogatetz was left wondering just how he didn't convert Stewart Downing's corner from the right. The Austrian was left relatively unmarked in the six-yard box but his header struck a United defender on the line.

All in all a draw was probably a fair result, and the teams will meet again at the Riverside a week on Wednesday. Today's quarter-final draw will surely add incentive for both teams, with a home tie against Cardiff City awaiting the winner. That is not to say it will be an easy game, but it makes a change from drawing teams like Manchester United or Arsenal at the latter stages of a tournament.

It must be remembered however, that there is still a big job to do in the replay. United showed yesterday that they were more than capable of providing an upset, and their team clearly possesses a number of potential match winners. Gareth Southgate sounded relieved in the post match press conference, and after a tough afternoon, that was understandable. Middlesbrough must now make sure that they finish the job off properly in nine days time, and set up a quarter-final at the Riverside against Cardiff.

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