Middlesbrough 2 Northampton Town 0
A SUPERBLY-STRUCK Fabio Rochemback free-kick and Dong Gook Lee's first goal for the club eased Boro into Saturday's Carling Cup third round draw, writes GORDON COX from the Riverside.
Gareth Southgate made six changes to the side that drew with Newcastle United, some enforced through injury, others by choice.
Jonathan Woodgate is being eased back into action following his lengthy lay-off and summer operation, Chris Riggott missed the game with a back strain and Jeremie Aliadiere was recovering from his clash with Steven Taylor on Sunday.
Brad Jones was given a chance in goal, Andrew Davies had recovered from slight hamstring problems to play alongside David Wheater in the centre of defence as Luke Young captained the side from right-back.
Lee Cattermole started in central midfield, while there were starts up front for Tuncay and Dong Gook Lee.
Northampton manager Stuart Gray made just two changes from the side which lost 2-1 at home to Yeovil on Saturday, midfielder Ryan Gilligan and striker Andy Kirk making way in a like for like swap for striker Ian Henderson and midfielder Alex Dyer.
Stewart Downing started on the right and Adam Johnson on the left of midfield but it was from the centre that the night's first shot came, a low drive from Cattermole being easily blocked.
Boro showed up well in the early passages of play and were not afraid to use the full width of the pitch.
A Downing cross was perfect for Lee, who headed inches wide from seven yards and Boro continued to press. But they were caught on the break as Northampton moved swiftly forward.
Brad Johnson shot from just under 30 yards, Jones got behind a swerving ball and palmed clear but instinctively Henderson pounced and headed against Jones's left-hand post - a let-off.
There was a keen pace to the game and Adam Johnson brought a smart save from Mark Bunn with a close range header from a left-wing cross.
Adam Johnson was revelling in a free role and caused any number of problems. Mazy dribbles at pace had the Cobblers twisting themselves inside out, while Fabio Rochemback's clever play created openings and a fit and pacey looking Boro were sharp.
But Northampton were plucky and what they lacked technically they made up for in spirit.
Cattermole and Davies clashed heads when clearing inside the Boro box and while the former was able to continue after treatment on the field, Davies needed lengthy treatment off it.
While Boro were temporarily down to 10 men, Town created a chance for Dyer which he struck low into the chest of Jones from 16 yards.
Downing switched to left-back and Taylor to central defence during a near 10-minute absence for Davies, who returned with a stitch or two in a head wound.
His return lasted less than the length of a failed Boro attack, after which it was clear he couldn't continue and he walked groggily from the field to be replaced by Seb Hines.
Belief in the Northampton team began grew the longer the game went on and Boro needed the break to take stock and reorganise.
Half-time: Middlesbrough 0 Northampton Town 0
Boro started the second half on the attack and Rochemback had a 25-yard drive deflected for a corner.
He didn't have to wait much longer before breaking the deadlock.
With 54 minutes played the Cobblers conceded a free-kick in a central position midway inside their own half. Fabio Rochemback stepped up to strike a low shot superbly.
It lifted no more than a couple of feet from the ground as it flew past all would be deflectors and Bunn's despairing dive to his right and into the goalkeeper's right-hand corner.
As Northampton pressed, gaps appeared and Adam Johnson in particular found more space. But a tendency to overdo fine approach work all too often led to a wasted chance.
However, a beautifully carved move did bring a second with 65 minutes played as Tuncay broke through the middle from the halfway line and layed in Downing to his right.
His low ball just up from the left-hand edge of the Northampton penalty area picked out Dong Gook Lee and his first goal in Boro colours came with a sweetly struck low drive from 22 yards which flew into Bunn's bottom left-hand corner.
It was no more than Boro deserved after Hines, who looked comfortable, was unlucky when he hit the bar with an overhead kick from close range while Mido also struck the bar with a header not long after replacing Downing.
The Egyptian could have bagged a hat-trick in the time he was on but a powerful drive angled in from the edge of the box was well saved and another effort, more central this time, curled just wide.
Entering injury-time Tuncay was presented with a fine chance to open his Boro account when an incisive move sliced through the visitors but he seemed caught in two minds between a chip and a shot when hitting weakly at Bunn.
*The draw for the third round is scheduled for around 12.15pm on Saturday.
Middlesbrough: Jones; Young (Capt) (Boateng 72), Davies (Hines 36), Wheater, Taylor, Downing (Mido 69), Cattermole, Rochemback, Johnson, Tuncay, Lee. Unused subs: Schwarzer (gk); Craddock.
Northampton Town: Bunn; Crowe, Hughes, Doig, Holt (Larkin 65), Henderson, Burnell (Aiston 65), Bradley Johnson, Jones, Dyer (Brett Johnson 79), Hubertz. Unused subs: Dunn (gk); Kirk.
Bookings
Boro: None
Northampton Town: Jones, 47, foul on Rochemback.
Referee: Neil Swarbrick, Lancashire.
Attendance: 11,686
Website Boro Man of the Match: Fabio Rochemback.
Conditions: Cool and clear with a slight breeze.
