IT was the day the waiting ended, when Boro finally lifted a major trophy.

Goals from Joseph Job and Bolo Zenden in the first half were enough to clinch a hugely-entertaining cup final win and give Boro the first trophy of their 128-year history.

There was danger for Boro with 90 seconds played as Ivan Campo whipped in a free-kick which seemed to take an age to clear.

But clear Boro did, playing the ball from one end of the field to the other in devastating fashion to take the lead with one minute and 47 seconds played.

Bolton's back line was too square as Bolo Zenden made a run away on the left. He was picked out with a great ball, taking it into the penalty area. A low cross picked out Joseph Job at the back post and the Cameroon international slid in to give Jussi Jaaskelainen no chance.

Zenden peeled away down the touchline waving his arms in celebration and Boro's fans went into overdrive.

Perhaps hyperdrive may be a better description to describe their mood as Boro incredibly doubled their lead with just under seven minutes played.





A neat ball was played into Job on the edge of the penalty area, his turn caught Emerson Thome by surprise and he brought Job down a yard inside the box.

Referee Mike Riley had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and after much protest from Wanderers, Bolo Zenden drilled a low shot down the middle. Jaaskelainen got a touch with a trailing boot, but not enough to keep it out of the net.

Boro continued to pass the ball around well, though naturally Bolton saw a lot more of the ball as they chased the game.

It was Steve McClaren's men who nearly scored again with 20 minutes played as Zenden picked out Juninho with a delicate ball.

Juninho took control midway inside the Bolton half away on the right and raced towards the edge of the penalty area, before delivering a low cross which Thome sliced over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box.

Bolton were gifted a way back into it with 22 minutes played. Kevin Davies turned away from Gareth Southgate on the edge of the Boro box but still had plenty to do. A low, angled drive looked harmless enough but Mark Schwarzer bundled a bobbling ball into his own net at the near post.

What was developing into a cracking game nearly took another twist less than two minutes later when a dipping free-kick from Jay Jay Okocha fully 30 yards out landed on top of the net.

Wanderers almost equalised with 28 minutes played. Per Frandsen turned well inside the Boro box and delivered a low shot which thudded back of Schwarzer's right-hand post. Djorkaeff closed in on the loose ball but couldn't make proper contact and Schwarzer had time to recover and gather.

Djorkaeff had a fine chance to level the game minutes later but a shot from 10 yards was deflected wide for a corner.

A minute later the Frenchman was picked out inside the area and a low sidefooted shot was superbly stopped by Schwarzer, who must have seen it late.

The Boro goalkeeper was called into action a minutes later, this time failing gather a high cross through a crowded box but later making a fine gather at his near post to stop a 25-yard drive from Okocha.

Had a Valium seller been operating in the stadium during the break he would have done a roaring trade in in the red and white half of the ground!

The nerves of the Boro faithful were stretched further just minutes into the second half when Davies went down under a challenge from Doriva inside the Boro box, but referee Riley was well placed to wave away all appeals.

Six minutes into the second half Boro broke to create an opportunity which should have led to their third goal.

Job raced though the middle with options either side. Approaching the edge of the penalty area he played in Gaizka Mendieta, who went for a delicate chip over Jaaskelainen.

Sadly for Boro - and Bolo Zenden who was waiting at the back post - the Spain international cleared the bar as well as the goalkeeper.

The game swung from end to end and a low cross after a lively run from Zenden was hacked clear by Campo.

Back came Bolton, but Kevin Nolan wasted a good chance when heading a Nicky Hunt right-wing cross straight at Schwarzer from eight yards.

With 62 minutes played Franck Queudrue brought down Djorkaeff 25 yards from goal, but nothing came from the free-kick.

Both sides then made changes as first Frandsen was replaced by Henrik Pedersen with 63 minutes played.

Two minutes later Job was replaced by Michael Ricketts, who was greeted by a chorus of boos from the Bolton fans as loud cheers emanated from the Boro faithful.

Mendieta then picked up possession and ran towards the edge of the Bolton area where he played in Juninho, but he was forced wide and sliced a cross onto the roof of the net.

Zenden was caught by Djorkaeff as Boro won a free-kick which was curled by Mendieta towards the top left-hand corner of Jaaskelainen's net, but the goalkeeper gathered comfortably.

There was a huge roar from the Boro fans when Steve Gibson was pictured on the giant screens at either end of the stadium.

Twice Gareth Southgate was needed to make last ditch clearances as Bolton searched for an equaliser and Allardyce made his final change four minutes from time as Nicky Hunt was replaced by Stelios Giannakopoulous.

Three minutes from time Boro created a great chance to wrap the game up when Juninho picked out Mendieta inside the area, but his low shot was deflected away for a corner.

A minute from time Bolton pressed forward and it took a desperate lunge from Ugo Ehiogu to block a Stelios shot. Bolton won a corner, but Boro cleared, then came Bolton only to lose their way.

Entering injury-time Ricketts had a low shot from the edge of the area saved, while three minutes into added on time Schwarzer comfortably saved from Stelios, then a minute later Queudrue made a superb challenge on the edge of the area.

The final whistle brought tears, cheers and a celebration which Boro fans have never witness before.

TEAMS

Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen; Charlton, Nolan (Moreno 78), Ngotty, Djorkaeff, Frandsen (Pedersen 63), Okocha, Davies, Campo, Hunt, Thome. Unused subs: Poole (gk); Barness, Stelios.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer; Mills, Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue, Mendieta, Boateng, Doriva, Zenden, Juninho, Job (Ricketts 65). Unused subs: Jones; Riggott, Downing, Maccarone.

REFEREE: Mike Riley, Leeds

BOOKINGS

Bolton Wanderers: Frandsen, 23, foul on Boateng; Campo, 38, foul on Mendieta.

Boro: Boateng, 23, ungentlemanly conduct; Ricketts, 90, ungentlemanly conduct

ATTENDANCE: 72,634

CONDITIONS: Roof closed, cool. Outside bright and sunny.

WEBSITE BORO MAN OF THE MATCH: Gaizka Mendieta