Pulis delight as his Wing gamble pays off for Boro

MIDDLESBROUGH gambled when they signed prolific non-League forward Lewis Wing — but he took flight with a stunner to down Palace. The 23-year-old scored his first goal for the club right on half-time to set up a quarter-final at home to League One Burton Albion. Just 18 months ago Wing (below) was playing for 10th-tier Shildon in the Northern League and Boro made their move after he smashed 37 goals in one season. And his strike was the difference here as Tony Pulis’s Championship promotion chasers got the better of his former club. A stomach bug sweeping through his squad meant Pulis was forced into playing a strong team. But given that Boro’s firstteam players are struggling to score right now — an own goal rescued a 1-1 draw with Derby on Saturday despite them not having a single shot on target — at least here was a chance for those on the fringe to shine, none more so than Wing. Supporters will not be happy if he reverts to the shadows come this weekend’s trip to Stoke. Wing was at the heart of everything as the hosts took on an unusual guise during the first half — unusual in that they looked like an offensive outfit. Marcus Tavernier took too many touches when clear on goal, George Saville stabbed wide from close range and West Ham loanee Jordan Hugill ruined a promising break with an erratic finish which had fans ducking for cover. Boro, though, had failed to test Vicente Guaita in the Palace goal. And the Spaniard had still not made a save come half-time after Wing’s 25-yard effort whistled beyond him and into the top corner. Palace midfielder Max Meyer tried to emulate Wing early in the second half but his 20-yard drive was more like that of Hugill, wayward and a worry for those in the low rows.