Boro 0 Notts County 1

THE first cup game as manager for Gareth Southgate brought with it the biggest cup shock seen at the Riverside, writes GORDON COX.

League Two Notts County were unfancied coming into the tie, but a single goal in the first half was enough to send them into third round of the Carling Cup.

Robert Huth made his Boro debut in a side which showed eight changes from the draw at Bolton, with only Andrew Taylor, Lee Cattermole and Adam Johnson retaining their places.

It meant a first start at the Riverside for goalkeeper Ross Turnbull and a first start at the Riverside for 21 months for Tony McMahon, who began tonight at right-back, Stuart Parnaby taking a central midfield role.

County made seven changes from the side which came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Barnet on Saturday, with only captain Mike Edwards, Austin McCann, Matthew Somner and Lawrie Dudfield staying in the starting 11.

Boro began brightly and a low cross from the right from Gaizka Mendieta brought the game's first corner with just three minutes played. That was cleared but the Spaniard was soon back in action as he linked well with Johnson, who burst through the middle, evading three challenges, only to see a low shot from the edge of the penalty area deflected wide.

A warning shot was fired across Boro's bows with just eight minutes played when Lawrie Dudfield stole in behind the back-line but appeared to have little conviction that he could score and pulled a low shot across the face of goal. Note to defence: Sharpen up.

The note wasn't heeded and the Magpies took the lead with 26 minutes played. Lee Cattermole played the ball harmlessly back to Tony McMahon but the young right-back's header into his own box fell short and Tcham N'Toya-Zoa stepped in to drill a low, 12-yard shot past Turnbull.

A chance to double the lead came just three minutes later, but central defender Steve Hunt sidefooted over from 10 yards, quickly realising what a chance he had missed.

Boro stuck to their gameplan and employed some neat approach play and sweeping move ended with a good cross from the left from Johnson which Cattermole, arriving late, headed just over.

A fine save  away to his right from Saul Deeney prevented a crisp Mark Viduka volley from levelling the scores, while a low, curling shot from the same player flew into the side netting from 12 yards when perhaps a shot across the goalkeeper would have been a better option.

County were making life difficult for Boro, playing a high line which frequently caught the home side offside. A packed but well-organised defence made it difficult to create chances, while they broke to good effect when given a chance.

A low shot from Viduka brought a decent save from Deeney, but Boro were still finding it hard to create a telling chance.

County grew in confidence and passed the ball well, Boro failed to pick up the tempo and at times had to be patient to win the ball back.

Dudfield was picked out at the end of a passing move which would have done the Premiership proud, but again he seemed to lack confidence in his ability to shoot as he hit wide.

N'Toya wasn't far away with a header from the edge of the six-yard box before Boro all but found a way back.

The Boro fans, who were excellent throughout, were screaming equaliser as Huth headed for goal, only to see full-back McCann head off the line. For a few split seconds the ball was hit back and forward to goal and repelled each time.

A fine ball from Mendieta and close control from Euell inside the County penalty area set up a half chance, but Hunt arrived with a well-timed challenge to clear.

With two minutes of normal time remaining Parnaby, pushing up to support the attacked, reacted quickly to loose play on the left-hand edge of the County penalty area, advanced into the box but shot over with the goalkeeper advancing.

Boro laid siege to the County goal in injury time with Deeney saving from Viduka and both Huth and Morrison having shots deflected away for corners which were cleared.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull; McMahon (Morrison 60), Bates, Huth, Taylor, Mendieta, Parnaby, Cattermole (Euell 71), Johnson, Viduka (Capt), Maccarone. Unused subs: Schwarzer (gk); Pogatetz, Hines.

Notts County: Deeney; McCann, Edwards (Capt), Somner, Dudfield (Gleeson 69), Silk, N'Toya (Needham 83), Sheridan (Mendes 55), Hunt, Curtis, Ross. Unused subs: Pilkington (gk); Wilson.

Bookings

Boro: Cattermole, 34, foul.

Notts County: Somner, 75, foul.

Referee: Mr M Jones, Chester.

Attendance: 11,148

Website Boro Man of the Match: Andrew Taylor.

Conditions: Warm with a stiff breeze blowing from the south (North Ormesby).