Malcolm Christie scored Boro's winner in extra-time

Middlesbrough progressed to the third round of the Carling Cup but they were pushed all the way by Second Division Brighton at the Riverside.

Indeed the Premiership side had to wait until extra-time and the 94th-minute to finally sink their plucky opponents when striker Malcolm Christie tucked home from close-range.

The Seagulls were indebted to Dutch goalkeeper Michel Kuipers for staying in the game for so long as he pulled off a host of stunning saves.

Michael Ricketts spurned a glorious chance to open his account after seven minutes but he blasted his angled drive straight at Kuipers.

Middlesbrough captain Gareth Southgate was replaced by Chris Riggott after 18 minutes after suffering a leg injury before Brighton striker Chris McPhee forced a point-blank stop from Mark Schwarzer.

With five minutes left of the first half Nemeth slipped a pass inside the full-back only for the on-rushing Stewart Downing to drag the ball wide of the far post from 15 yards.

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Just after the restart Albion midfielder Simon Rodger fell awkwardly and had to be stretchered off with what seemed a serious knee injury.

Downing sent a 20-yard lob just over the crossbar before he was replaced by Christie, with Brazilian World Cup winner Juninho also brought into play as Ricketts' unproductive night was brought to an end.

Kuipers then made a reflex stop to keep out Christie's close-range effort before Juninho and George Boateng also warmed the Brighton keeper's hands.

The breakthrough eventually came just three minutes into the first period of extra-time when Greening made progress down the left and Christie was on hand to score past Kuipers.

Schwarzer had to be alert to tip Leon Knight's bullet header over the crossbar but it was not to be Brighton's night.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Queudrue, Mills, Southgate, Cooper, Downing, Boateng, Doriva, Greening, Nemeth, Ricketts. Subs: Nash, Stockdale, Riggott, Juninho Paulista, Christie.

Brighton: Kuipers, Mayo, Hinshelwood, Butters, Cullip, Hart, Carpenter, Rodger, Jones, Knight, McPhee. Subs: Flitney, Piercy, Harding, Pethick, Robinson.

Referee: G Cain (Merseyside).