COVENTRY CITY 1-1 MIDDLESBROUGH BY KEV MONKS
Coventry City supporters face a trek to Middlesbrough after the Sky Blues failed to see off the Premiership side in the first FA Cup tie at the Arena.
With Dennis Wise suspended, Micky Adams made only one change from the side that had memorably stuffed Derby County last week bringing back Don Hutchison.
Middlesbrough managed by Steve McClaren,a man could become the next England manager,made five changes from the side beaten by a Wigan side inspired by former Sky Blue David Thompson last week and included Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
A record crowd of 28,120 boosted by the fact that it was only £15 for adults,watched as the Teesside club won an early corner.
But City had a game plan to frustrate the opposition and it worked. Boro keeper Swarzer had to dive low to save in the third minute as Gary McSheffrey got in a long range effort.
With Marcus Hall attacking down the left flank and Michael Doyle keeping Gaizka Mendieta under control despite the glove wearing midfielder throwing elbows into the face of Doyle,all missed by the referee Chris Foy but not the crowd, City limited the visitors to a Hasselbaink shot which flew well wide of the goal at the CET Stand end.
One neat move in the 24th minute saw Gary McSheffrey and Dele Adebola play a neat one two, the ball went over to Marcus Hall on the left who knocked the ball back in for McSheffrey to send a flick header wide.
Stern John had a fine game but could only fire wide two minutes later.
The visitors were forced into a change in the 28th minute when Villa reject Ugo Ehiogu limped off to be replaced by Matthew Bates.
Play was mainly centred around the midfield area but before the break, the visitors won two corners in the 33rd minute before Dele Adebola got in two shots.
Supporters were still making their way out of the crush for the toilets and catering areas when thirty seconds into the second half,Middlesbrough took the lead thanks to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink seizing on a poor clearance and volleying the ball past the helpless Marton Fulop.
The away following of around 2,500 enjoyed their moment of fun but it was to be short-lived. Don Hutchison had sent a 32 yard free kick into the arms of Swarzer but in the 53rd minute, he headed on an Adie Williams ball which Bates completely misjudged. This left Stern John completely unmarked inside the penalty area some sixteen yards out. John turned and with his right foot stroked the ball into the net. The Middlesbrough players appealed for offside and from the angle I had, I looked at the referee as John raced to celebrate with City fans in the North Stand. But all Mr Foy did was make sure that John's celebration was not over the top and gave the goal.
It was now very hard to tell who were the Premiership side as Middlesbrough started to vent their frustrations with Bates and Cattermole going into Mr Foy's book.
With Middlesbrough only concerned with holding on for a replay and showing no signs of looking like threatening Fulop's goal, it was up to City to ensure they had a place booked in the fifth round draw.
In the 73rd minute,Gary McSheffrey did exceptionally well to keep the ball in on the left flank and send over a ball which James Scowcroft who worked hard through out fired over.
McSheffrey then went close before a John effort was blocked for a corner. Hutchison found Adebola, the Nigerian played the ball out to his left for McSheffrey whose centre missed John by the merest of margins.
Hutchison was injured in that move and in the 86th minute limped off to be replaced by Claus Jorgensen.
Three minutes later and Stern John received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Andy Morrell.
The former Wrexham striker was held in check by Gareth Southgate who for me was Boro's best player by far but it did not stop Morrell helping City to win a 91st minute corner. Nothing came of this and so Andy Impey was brought on for Gary McSheffrey.
With seconds of the four minutes of time added on, the ball fell for Claus Jorgensen on the edge of the area. Everyone held their breath, but cup glory was not to be ours as the Faroes international sent the ball over the bar.
That miss will prove costly for the Sky Blue Army who now have to make the necessary arrangements and expense to get to the replay at a ground where City have never won.
HT CCFC 0-0 MFC
FT CCFC 1-1 MFC
ATT 28,120
GOALS Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (46),Stern John (53)
Book Bates,Cattermole
TEAM
Fulop, Duffy, Shaw, Williams, Hall, Scowcroft, Doyle, Hutchison (Jorgensen 86), McSheffrey (Impey 93), Adebola, John (Morrell 89).
Subs Not Used: Ince,Page
Subs Not Used: Ince,Page
Middlesbrough Schwarzer, Parnaby, Ehiogu (Bates 28), Southgate, Pogatetz, Mendieta, Cattermole, Rochemback (Doriva 71), Downing, Hasselbaink, Yakubu (Viduka 65).
Subs Not Used: Knight, Johnson.