PULIS SO GLAD TO WING IT

CRYSTAL PALACE were sent crashing out by a youngster who was plying his trade in non-league football two years ago.

Few of Roy Hodgson’s players had probably heard of Lewis Wing (abaove) before arriving on Teesside.

But they won’t forget the goal which sent Middlesbrough through to the last eight and a home tie against Burton, condemning themselves to an exit before the quarter-finals for the 15th time in 16 seasons.

Boro boss Tony Pulis was able to savour a fourth win in seven games against his former club since leaving in 2014.

Wing capped an extraordinary football journey, opening his Boro account with a wonder goal.

Two years ago, the 23-year-old was a part-timer at Northern League Shildon in English football’s ninth tier before being snapped up by Boro.

And he repaid the club’s faith in him with a sparkling display and a stunning strike in first-half stoppage-time. Running onto a pass from Marcus Tavernier, Wing took one touch before letting fly with a thunderous 25-yard rightfoot drive which fizzed past Palace keeper Vicente Guaita.

But the match was marred by a horrific injury to Boro defender Sam McQueen who was carried off midway through the first half.

McQueen, on loan from Southampton, twisted his knee as he stretched to prevent Jeff Schlupp reaching Andros Townsend’s cross.

Palace struggled to find any rhythm and veteran Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos had virtually nothing to do until beating away an 87th-minute Townsend shot.