Fabio's fabulous free-kick finishes off Northampton

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Until the midfielder struck a 35- yarder for his first goal of the season in the 53rd minute, the Premier League side were floundering against a team who had enjoyed the game's best chances.

Middlesbroughs Fabio Rochemback tangles with Northamptons Joe Burnell

And once the breakthrough had been made, Dong-Gook Lee made sure his team progressed to the next round with a 25-yard strike in the 66th minute.

The Carling Cup may be the only competition Boro have won and he was the captain who lifted the trophy, but the competition is proving a difficult quest for Gareth Southgate.

The Boro boss rested Mark Schwarzer, Julio Arca, Jonathan Woodgate and George Boateng, but still he found his side's League One opponents an awkward proposition.

And after finally seeing Nigeria striker Yakubu complete his £11.25million switch to Everton, the former England defender, who has been linked with Adriano, Afonso Alves and Manchester City's Georgios Samaras, again saw why attacking reinforcements can't arrive soon enough.

Fortunately for Boro, Rochemback broke the deadlock with his sizzling free-kick after Lee had been hauled down and then the South Korean himself added to plucky Northampton's woes with his first goal for the club.

Tuncay Sanli was played into the area for a one-on-one with Northampton keeper Mark Bunn in the opening seconds, only for the former Fenerbahce striker to slice wide.

In the sixth minute, Lee had an excellent chance to score his first Boro goal from Stewart Downing's deep cross, but instead he headed wide.

The early opportunities set the tone and winger Adam Johnson, also given a chance to start, twice flashed shots across Bunn's goal, while recalled Lee Cattermole shot wide.

England winger Downing, who was a surprise starter, created a chance for Johnson which the teenager lofted into the stands.

But for stand-in keeper Brad Jones, Northampton — without a win in the league — could have gone into the break in front.

Jones saved well from the impressive Bradley Johnson, before Ian Henderson hit the rebound against a post.

And the big Aussie keeper got his chest in the way of a drive from Alex Dyer.