Emerson's departure to Tenerife only hours earlier did little to disrupt
Middlesbrough's passage into the fourth round of the FA Cup tonight.
Goals from Andy Campbell and Robbie Mustoe in a five-minute purple-patch after
the interval made it relatively easy for Boro, and justified Bryan Robson's
decision to leave out five regulars and include three teenagers, including
18-year-old debutant right-back Robbie Stockdale.
QPR dominated a hugely forgettable opening half, but in the end Boro made the
11-place gap between the two Nationwide First Division clubs tell to clinch a
home tie with Arsenal or Port Vale, who replay at Vale Park tomorrow night.
QPR, cheered on by no more than 200 fans, made the early impression, with John
Spencer and Trevor Sinclair involved heavily in their early pressure.
Boro finally woke up, with pacy teenage striker Campbell showing plenty of
pace through the middle, but all too often his only support came from Paul
Merson, which Rangers were able to snuff out comfortably.
However, after an unnecessary foul on Campbell by Karl Ready in the 16th
minute, Boro had their best opportunity in the first half.
Skipper Andy Townsend fed Merson with a short freekick and the former Arsenal
star crossed to the near post for Steve Vickers to crash a header against Lee
Harper's crossbar.
But Rangers hit back, the enigmatic Sinclair forcing a fine save from Mark
Schwarzer after the Australian keeper had thrown the ball directly to the
highly-rated wide-man.
Sinclair then fed Mike Sheron, who shot a yard wide after breaking in behind
the right flank of a square Boro back four.
Four minutes before the break Sheron once again raced clear, but failed to get
a touch on a Paul Murray cross which flew into Schwarzer's midriff.
Boro, inspired by Townsend, made an excellent start to the second half and in
the 54th minute Campbell drilled a superb effort into Harper's bottom corner
following excellent midfield play by Neil Maddison and Merson.
Less than five minutes later and Boro were 2-0 ahead, industrious midfielder
Mustoe blasting home his fifth goal of the season - an 18-yard drive from the
edge of the Rangers penalty box which gave Harper no chance.
Teams:
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Stockdale, Harrison, Vickers, Festa,
Maddison, Mustoe, Townsend, Campbell, Merson, Ormerod.
Subs Not Used: Beck, Moreno, Hignett, Liddle, Fabio.
Booked: Festa.
Goals: Campbell 54, Mustoe 59.
QPR: Harper, Yates, Brevett (Barker 78), Quashie, Morrow, Ready,
Spencer (Gallen 71), Peacock, Murray, Sheron (Sommer 71),
Sinclair.
Subs Not Used: Bruce, Slade.
Att: 21,817
Ref: P A Durkin (Portland).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook