Luke Daniels saved two penalties as Boro U23s moved into the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win against Arsenal.
With the spot-kicks score at 4-3, Daniels saved well from Oman Hutchinson to send Boro deservedly through to the last-eight of the competition.
Stephen Walker appeared to have settled the tie in normal time when he headed home a Joe Gibson cross 13 minutes from the whistle, but a last-minute penalty denied Boro and took the game to extra time.
Much of the contest was evenly contested, but Boro found another gear in the second period and were dominant for long periods before conceding a late, late equaliser.
Tinkler’s side had started with some senior experience in there. Daniels made some good saves, was commanding, and stopped two vital penalties at the death, while Josh Coburn, Toyosi Olusanya and James Lea Siliki all gave Arsenal plenty to think about during the first half.
Lea Siliki went close to opening the scoring when his free-kick was turned onto the post, and Sam Collins and Joe Gibson were constant threats attacking down the flanks.
Marcelo Flores was denied for Arsenal and Bryant Bilongo made a vital clearance for Boro, but as the game wore on, Tinkler’s side were looking more and more likely.
Moments before Boro went ahead, Walker combined with Alberto Balde, but the Gunners reacted quickly to avert the danger. It was 1-0 soon after though when Gibson did well down the right and Walker finished with aplomb.
But the visitors got back in it in the final minute with their 10th last-gasp goal of the season.
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji was brought down in the box after a bursting run and Hutchinson stepped up to convert.
The late leveller gave the visitors a lift in the extra period and Arsenal enjoyed more of the ball, but the Gunners were unable to create anything meaningful and the tie went to penalties.
Joe Gibson, Nathan Wood, Jack Stott, and Isaiah Cornet were the Boro scorers in a 4-3 victory.
