Middlesbrough hit late winner to deny Aldershot Town an FA Cup shock - The Guardian

Lukas Jutkiewicz spared Middlesbrough an unwanted fourth-round replay at Aldershot by scoring his second goal six minutes into stoppage time.

Boro were held at arm's length by Dean Holdsworth's side for 83 minutes at the Riverside Stadium, but Jutkiewicz made his initial breakthrough with a forceful header. Danny Hylton extended his run as the competition's top scorer with a goal on the counterattack to tee up a replay at the Recreation Ground, only for Jutkiewicz to break the spirited visitors' resolve with a goal at the end.

The first half was a battle between invention and physicality as Aldershot, marshalled by the goalkeeper Jamie Young, stubbornly repelled the hosts' fluid raids. Hylton stood to profit most from the Shots' resilience and an early goalmouth scramble involving the striker gave Boro food for thought.

The hosts sought to take the initiative and Adam Reach's mazy dribble fell two moves short before Aldershot broke quickly. Hylton tumbled on the edge of the box under the attention of Stuart Parnaby and Danny Rose forced Jason Steele into a fine fingertip save from the resulting free-kick.

But Reach made his skill on the ball count moments later, dancing past the Shots defence to pick out Marvin Emnes, whose lay-off to Merouane Zemmama sent Young sprawling. Young saved his side again when Nicky Bailey met Zemmama's lofted free-kick, but Boro were taking control of the game.

Hylton remained unpredictable, though, and Seb Hines's decision to clatter the onrushing striker on the edge of the box earned him the first yellow card of the game. Peter Vincenti's free-kick left much to be desired and Young was soon snaffling a bullet header from Jutkiewicz at the other end.

The impressive Young kept Aldershot alive before the break. First, Emnes picked out Parnaby after reaching Richard Smallwood's through-ball at the byline, but Young stood firm. The Brisbane-born goalkeeper then inspired applause from all sides of the Riverside, four minutes before half-time, springing off his line to palm Zemmama's curling strike away from the top corner.

Aldershot livened up a lethargic restart by creating a promising opportunity for Craig Reid in front of nearly 800 travelling fans. A weighted ball forward skipped into the striker's path, only for Bailey to make up a yard of pace and put paid to the move.

Michael Hector rifled a speculative shot into a crowded box as the Shots fans raised the volume before the hour mark, with Rhys Williams soon called upon to cut out another Reid run.

The ineffective Emnes was withdrawn for Emmanuel Ledesma, with Andy Halliday replacing Smallwood. Ledesma threatened to make an instant impact, smashing Hines's ball forward against Young, who smothered before Jutkiewicz could convert the rebound.

But Boro were a constant menace in the Shots box and it fell to Jutkiewicz to make a belated breakthrough seven minutes from time. The ex-Coventry striker rose highest to head home a Reach cross that was already drifting towards the top corner.

Boro's joy was short-lived, though, as Hylton skipped on to an incisive through-ball to slot home his eighth cup goal and set up a frantic finale. But they could not hold out, Jutkiewicz comfortably sliding the ball beyond Young to settle the tie.