MIDDLESBROUGH last night set their sights on cup glory after ending Arsenal's dream of winning four trophies in a season.

The 2-1 win at the Riverside earned Boro a place in the Carling Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on February 29.

Victory against Bolton will give Boro the first major trophy in their history, and give the North-East its first cup final success since Sunderland's famous Wembley triumph 31 years ago.

Going into last night's game with a one goal cushion from the first leg, Boro seemed on course for a comfortable victory against ten-man Arsenal when Dutchman Bolo Zenden scored in the second half.

But Arsenal replied through Edu, before Boro nerves were settled with an own goal by Arsenal's new Spanish recruit Jose Reyes five minutes from time.

Teesside will be hoping to see the end of Boro's wretched run of defeats in finals.

They lost in four finals in the 1990s. They lost to Chelsea in the Zenith Data System Cup in 1990, and again to the Blues in the 1997 FA Cup and 1998 League Cup finals. They lost to Leicester after a replay in the 1997 League Cup.

About 30,000 Boro fans are expected to make the trip to Cardiff, where victory will mean the club will play in next year's UEFA Cup for the first time in their history.

The Gunners played out the second half with ten men following Martin Keown's dismissal for a professional foul.

Boro skipper Gareth Southgate said: "It's fantastic for the fans and I'm delighted for the chairman, who has backed everyone here for years.

"Now we want to give them a good day out."

He added: "Arsenal are a fantastic side. They never stop working or trying and have given us a pasting three times this season already.

"I know they didn't have a full side out tonight - but they still gave us a hell of a game."

Match report - Back Page