Parkinson's solo run puts paid to Middlesbrough

One upset is unfortunate, two in four days reeks of something more serious. Middlesbrough, bundled out of the FA Cup on Saturday, made an ignominious exit from the Worthington Cup last night when they were beaten by First Division Tranmere Rovers.

One upset is unfortunate, two in four days reeks of something more serious. Middlesbrough, bundled out of the FA Cup on Saturday, made an ignominious exit from the Worthington Cup last night when they were beaten by First Division Tranmere Rovers.

Goals from David Kelly and Andy Parkinson pushed Tranmere into their first semi-final since they were beaten on penalties by Aston Villa in 1994.

Christian Ziege set up a tense finale with a goal 11 minutes from time but it was not enough for Middlebrough, who now have a barren season in front of them.

While across the Mersey there was eager anticipation about Sir Paul McCartney's re-appearance at the Cavern, it can safely be assumed the feeling was not reciprocated by the Middlesbrough players, who were also making a comeback to the area. Having been the giant felled in north Wales on Saturday, another chance to play the role just 30 miles away was the last thing they needed.

It was not as if the form lines suggested anything to their advantage. Boro have not been losing many matches - Wrexham accepted - but they have not been collecting many win bonuses either while Tranmere had won their previous seven games at Prenton Park, including the weekend's success over West Ham. The portents for the Premiership side, to be frank, were lousy.

The team sheet did little to dispel the mood. No Pallister, no Cooper, no Ince, and, to cap it all, no Paul Gascoigne, although reports emanating from the Racecourse suggested that might not be the bad thing that it once would have been. There was a hint of making the most of limited resources about Middlesbrough that was reinforced by the sight of Christian Ziege, one of the great left-backs in Europe, pitching up to play in midfield.

Nevertheless, the Premiership team began as if they were still recounting their manager's Saturday tongue-lashing and within five minutes they had the ball in the net twice. Sadly for them the efforts were disallowed for a handball and an offside.

Tranmere were being hustled out of their stride but a hint of what was to come arrived in the 10th minute when Alan Morgan burst through from midfield and was just over with a delicate and ambitious chip.

Boro were the better team during the first half-hour and they almost got a goal their play deserved when Brian Deane's cross was met at the far post by Juninho. The Brazilian probably should have scored but his shot was blocked sufficiently to allow Reuben Hazell to get back and clear close to his line.

The importance of that let-off was underlined in the 39th minute when Tranmere, whose main attacking option hitherto had been the prodigious throw-ins of Dave Challinor, suddenly took the lead. Parkinson, raiding on the right, whipped over a low cross and Kelly side-footed in at the near post.

Having been a peripheral and forlorn-looking figure in the first half, Juninho became the game's central player immediately after the interval and Middlesbrough suddenly appeared worthy of their elevated status.

One delightful Juninho run and reverse pass almost prised the Tranmere defence apart and led to a corner from which Phil Stamp's cross arrived at the Brazilian's feet via Ziege's header and a weak clearance. The chance was fleeting, but Juninho grasped it only to see his shot rebound off the bar.

Tranmere were being stretched and they almost cracked after 58 minutes when Joe Murphy had to dive at Hamilton Ricard's feet. The Boro players claimed a penalty, which was rightly denied, but the cost proved to be an injury to the home goalkeeper and he was replaced by John Achterberg on the hour.

Within 11 minutes Achterberg was instrumental in Tranmere's second goal, catching a Middlesbrough corner and then throwing precisely towards the halfway line. Parkinson initially had a yard on his pursuers but he still had to elude two of them before placing the ball past Mark Schwarzer.

Tranmere Rovers (4-4-2): Murphy (Achterberg, 60); Morgan, Challinor, Hazell, G Jones; Mahon (Allen, 83), Roberts, Henry, Taylor (Koumas, 90); Parkinson, Kelly. Substitutes not used: Frail, Hume.

Middlesbrough (4-3-1-2): Schwarzer; Stockdale (Campbell, 74), Vickers, Festa, O'Neill; Stamp, Mustoe Ziege; Juninho; Ricard, Deane. Substitutes not used: Gavin, Maddison, Armstrong, Beresford (gk).

Referee: D Elleray (Harrow).