Penalty kings Middlesbrough edge into last eight

Middlesbrough's Mark Viduka, seen here in action in 2006. Middlesbrough booked a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals after a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out win at West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday.

Middlesbrough booked a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals after a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out win at West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday.

Gareth Southgate's side were taken to the brink by Championship outfit Albion, but they held their nerve to win 5-4 on penalties after the fifth round replay had finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Middlesbrough, who also won on penalties against Bristol City in the previous round, will now host Premiership leaders Manchester United in the last eight on March 10.

Darren Carter had put the hosts ahead at The Hawthorns, but Australia striker Mark Viduka equalised before Albion's Nathan Ellington was sent off in extra-time.

With West Bromwich facing Sunderland in a crucial promotion clash on Saturday, Tony Mowbray opted to rest his strikers, with Diomansy Kamara on the bench, while Kevin Phillips was left out entirely.

Despite the absence of their star forwards, Albion were quickly into their stride, with Richard Chaplow's low strike well stopped by Australian keeper Brad Jones.

He made an even better save to deny Paul McShane after the defender met Carter's corner with a powerful header.

West Bromwich were in complete control and Ellington forced Jones into action again with a fierce drive that the keeper managed to push away.

Zoltan Gera was next to test Jones with a header from Paul Robinson's cross.

Middlesbrough had no answer to the home's side constant pressure and the goal Albion's dominance deserved finally arrived in the 26th minute.

Carter collected Ellington's pass 25 yards from goal and unleashed a curling shot that flashed past Jones before he could move.

Southgate's side were fortunate not to fall futher behind after half-time when Jonathan Greening's shot was well blocked by Jones.

That near-miss proved to be the turning point as Middlesbrough drew level in the 63rd minute.

Stuart Panarby sent in a cross that Albion failed to clear and Viduka pounced to send in a shot that deflected off Curtis Davies and past Dean Kiely for his eighth goal in 10 games.

Middlesbrough took control after that and Yakubu's blistering shot was tipped over by Kiely before South Korea's Lee Dong Gook, on for Viduka, had an effort turned away.

Albion were reduced to 10 men early in extra-time when Ellington was dismissed for a two-footed lunge on Panarby. But the visitors couldn't make their advantage count and the tie went to penalties.

Middlesbrough had won on penalties in the fourth round and they proved to have the greater resolve again as Sherill MacDonald blasted over in sudden death to put the visitors through.