Southgate hails Schwarzer heroics

Schwarzer made two saves in the penalty shoot-out

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate hailed goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer after his penalty shoot-out saves helped see off Bristol City in the FA Cup.

Schwarzer saved City's first and sixth attempts from the spot as Boro set up a fifth-round tie with West Brom.

Southgate said: "I told Mark before the shoot-out there was nobody I would rather have in that position because of the stature he has.

"It was a great performance from him and the lads who scored for us."

Southgate added: "Mark has done it for us in the past. The year we got to the Carling Cup final we went to two shoot-outs so he is experienced in those situations."

It would be a lovely cap to the FA Cup this season if we got promotion Bristol City boss Gary Johnson

Not all of Boro's players enjoyed the same success with penalties - Yakubu missed from the spot in extra-time and in the shoot-out too.

And after Schwarzer's heroics it was young midfielder Adam Johnson, 19, who stepped up to fire home the decisive penalty that sent Boro through.

"I was really chuffed for Adam because he wanted to take one of the first five and he was a bit disappointed not to be allowed to take one," explained Southgate.

"But he showed great maturity in taking it the way he did to win the game."

City boss Gary Johnson was full of praise for his side despite their defeat - and hopes their display can inspire them to win promotion from League One this season.

606 DEBATE: Your reaction to Boro's victory

Johnson said: "It would be a lovely cap to the FA Cup this season if we got promotion.

"Of course, that is still our main aim but we are in the Johnstone's Paints Trophy southern final against Bristol Rovers and our boys are relishing that.

"We have to be careful because we have not won anything yet but we have done very well and this is as good as getting to the quarter-finals.

"This is our sixth game in the FA Cup, so I am going to try to convince the chairman we have got to the last eight."