Middlesbrough had Didier Digard to thank for securing a 2-1 victory at League One Carlisle.
Boro see off League One opponents
Middlesbrough had Didier Digard to thank for securing a 2-1 victory at League One Carlisle.
The Frenchman won the game for Boro 10 minutes into the second half, adding to a first half opener from Jeremie Aliadiere.
Gareth Southgate's side started the game in positive fashion, with Afonso Alves and Adam Johnson combining well to almost carve out an early opening for Aliadiere.
However, it was the home side who came closest to opening scoring when a speculative free-kick after just 10 minutes shaved the right-hand upright, with Brad Jones grasping at thin air.
The returning Mido then went close on two occasions as the Premier League side began to dominate proceedings, but the Egypt international was off target on both occasions.
However, it took Boro just 60 seconds to breach the Cumbrians defence after the interval, with Aliadiere rounding off a fine individual run with a well taken drive.
A frantic start to the second half then saw Carlisle hit back inside two minutes as Danny Carlton fired home from the edge of the area.
Seven minutes later, though, Boro restored their lead when a 25-yard thunderbolt from Digard left Chris Howarth with no chance.
Carlisle did all they could to try and force an equaliser, but a combination of heroic defending and a lack of cutting edge saw them come up short.
