FA Youth Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg
Manchester City 1 - 2 Middlesbrough (AET)
(Middlesbrough win 3-2 on aggregate)

There was little to choose between the two sides throughout this two-legged tie and it was City who had the best of the opening stages last night - England Under-18s 'keeper Ross Turnbull being forced into smart stops from Jamie Tandy and Lee Croft early on.

Jim Cassell's City side continued to press, with Croft going close again before the visitors finally settled and had their first meaningful attack after 27 minutes, Keiron Westwood clearing from Davies on the line.

Boro came into the game much more in the second half, creating a number of early opportunities, notably for Davies and Gary Liddle. The breakthrough came midway through the half when Anthony Peacock controlled a long ball on the edge of the City area before firing a low shot into the corner to the delight of the visiting fans.

The spirited City youngsters failed to lie down though and it was England youth international Croft who got the reward for his constant threat to the Boro goal. Six minutes after the deadlock was broken, David Wheater stumbled into the back of Chinedum Onuoha, and it was Croft who stepped up to level the match once more.

The end-to-end action continued and City had Westwood to thank for extending the match into extra-time when the 'keeper turned Chris Brunt's drive round his near post in the dying seconds.

Both sides had chances in the extra period but it was Davies' bullet header from Brunt's corner that proved to be the last goal of a compelling tie.

Middlesbrough will face the winners of the Manchester United-Charlton Athletic tie in the final. United will start next week's second leg slight favourites after coming away from the Valley with a 1-1 draw last weekend.

FA Youth Cup Semi Finals