STUANI SAVES BORO’S BLUSHES

AITOR KARANKA hailed unsung hero Cristhian Stuani after he come from the bench to spare Middlesbrough’s blushes as they edged past League One Oxford into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Stuani’s 86th-minute winner ended the visitors’ hopes of a replay after they had fought back from 2-0 down to leave their Premier League opponents in real danger.

The Uruguay international was the man whose goal against Brighton in the final game of last season secured the club’s return to the top flight and he was in the right place at the right time once again.

Karanka said: ‘He is really important and, for me, it’s a shame that sometimes he does not get the recognition he deserves. Today he appears at the most difficult moment.’

Grant Leadbitter had put Boro ahead from the penalty spot after Stewart Downing was bundled over by Chris Maguire and Rudy Gestede then made it 2-0 at the break.

Former Aberdeen winger Maguire pulled one back for Oxford with a sumptuous free-kick and Antonio Martinez levelled before substitute Stuani intervened.