Boro Women were knocked out of the Women’s FA Cup following a 4-2 penalties defeat against Hull City.
Michael Mulhern named three changes to the side that beat Chester-le-Street Town over a week ago, with Emma Wallis, Lauren Robson and Abby Towers all returning to the starting line-up.
Boro started the better side, and Jane Harland had the first attempt of the game in the 11th minute, with a long distanced effort that trickled wide.
A minute later, Boro were inches away from taking the lead, when Sarah Burn’s dinked cross found the head of Nichole Havery, but the striker’s effort edged past the wrong side of the post.
Last years FAWNL Division One North top scorer began to create chances for the visitors, and her incredible close-control on the edge of the box led to a finessed effort being kept out by Laura Wareham.
After 37 minutes, Boro had another great opportunity to find an opener, when Emma Wallis’ through ball unleashed Nichole Havery, but she couldn’t guide her shot into the bottom corner.
Boro couldn’t possibly get any closer to the first goal of the encounter, when Abby Towers’ header bounced off the woodwork in added-time.
Half-Time: Middlesbrough 0-0 Hull City
Hull grew into the game in the second half, and had themselves a good opportunity to take the lead when Hope Knight had an effort saved by Laura Wareham, and the rebound was very nearly poked in by Rachel Ackroyd, who was under intense defensive pressure by Ellen Packham.
Substitute Jess Mett created a great chance with one of her first touches of the ball, when her control on the right-wing led to a deep cross which found Ellen Turnbull, and the winger’s deflected effort nearly sneaked under the crossbar.
Boro looked the more likely for a winner, and with less than 15 minutes remaining on the clock, Jolie Donzo was fed through on goal, but her powered effort had too much lift.
But despite a few minor chances before the final whistle, the game finished in a stalemate and a penalty shootout would decide the progressor.
Full-Time: Middlesbrough 0-0 Hull City
Hull took the first penalty which Ellie Tanser converted, and Abby Towers’ reply was saved by Georgia Wittam.
Kirstie Hunt fired her penalty into the top corner to extend Hull’s advantage momentarily until Emma Wallis powered her penalty into the corner to pull one back.
Kahlen Watters’ attempt was well saved by Laura Wareham, before Jolie Donzo levelled the shootout.
Katie Thompson restored the visitors’ lead which Georgia Wittam protected by stopping Jess Mett’s penalty.
Hope Knight stepped up to win it for the Tigresses and made no mistake, powering her penalty past Wareham to book Hull’s place in the next round of the Women’s FA Cup.
Middlesbrough: Wareham, Wallis, Towers, Packham, Harland, Burn, Guy, Turnbull (Ormerod 86’), Marshall, Robson (Mett 70’), Havery (Donzo 64’)
Unused subs: Cook, Ward, Bell, McCarthy
Hull City: Wittam, Brierley, Wilson, Jackman, Tanser, Ackroyd (Lynskey 71’), Hunt, Watters, Copsey, Brookes (Thompson 62’), Knight
Unused subs: Wallace