Southampton 2-1 Middlesbrough [AET}: Saints secure play-off final spot as promotion hopes continue

It was Shea Charles who netted the eventual winner deep into extra time, when his long-range effort flew past a shattered Boro defence and into the corner to set up a clash with Hull City under the Wembley arch next weekend. As It Happened It didn’t take long at all for the opening goal, which came from McGree just four minutes into the match. The midfielder swept the ball into the bottom corner from inside the box, a simply brilliant finish for the first goal of the tie.

Southampton looked to bite back immediately, but their counterattack was quickly halted when Leo Scienza misplaced his pass. Their first real chance came just minutes later, when Stewart fired wide from just a few yards out. McGree was shown the first yellow card of the night after 13 minutes, when he fouled Shea Charles.

Tommy Conway looked to double Boro’s lead with 25 minutes on the clock, but his shot was deflected behind for a corner, which was dealt with by the Saints’ defence. Daniel Peretz made his first save of the night shortly after, denying Callum Brittain. It was Nathan Wood who would be shown a yellow card for dissent.

Moments later, Boro defender Luke Ayling was also booked for the very same reason, after he took offence to something said by Taylor Harwood-Bellis. “Spygate” perhaps boiled over as well, with Kim Hellberg and Tonda Eckert seemingly very unhappy with each other on the touchline. Ayling nearly turned the ball into his own net from a free-kick, but luckily for him, the ball lifted over the crossbar.