STEWART DOWNING reminded head coach Aitor Karanka of his quality ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline by powering Middlesbrough into the FA Cup fifth round.

Downing, back in the side for the first time since he was told he could leave earlier this month, struck the sweetest of winning goals with 22 minutes remaining to edge past League Two’s Accrington Stanley.

It was the locally produced attacking midfielder’s second of the season and first since October, and could still be moved on before the transfer window closes on Tuesday night – with Crystal Palace still keen.

Middlesbrough, playing for the first time since Karanka criticised the supporters for their negativity during last weekend’s defeat to West Ham, took their time to beat a team 72 places below them in the league ladder.

Eventually, though, Middlesbrough got the job done, even if they did lose key defender George Friend through injury in the opening ten minutes.

After Friend’s exit, Middlesbrough had the better of the first half.

It was never a match played at an electric pace. In fact Accrington, who also had the first effort on goal when Omar Beckles headed over, had a few chances to score themselves.

Downing, back in the side for the first time in 2017, was at the centre of most things productive for Middlesbrough and created a couple of decent half chances. Accrington goalkeeper Marek Rodak didn’t have a save to make during that period, just a couple of catches.

Dimi Konstantopoulos, the Middlesbrough keeper making his first appearance since last season, actually had to make the better save when he thwarted Sean Clare after he broke in behind the defence.

Middlesbrough, with seven changes from the side which lost to West Ham in the Premier League, started brightly after the restart and both Downing and Patrick Bamford – making his first start since the £6m move from Chelsea – had half chances.

Shortly after Adama Traore’s introduction, Middlesbrough had the lead – and it was no surprise who delivered it.

Downing picked up possession deep inside the Accrington half, side stepped his marker before unleashing an unstoppable left-foot drive inside Rodak’s top right corner.

Sean McConville and Billy Kee both went close to levelling with a close range header in the closing stages, while Cristhian Stuani was denied by Rodak and missed the target after rounding the keeper. Middlesbrough are through.

MIDDLESBROUGH: (4-2-3-1): Konstantopoulos; Fabio, Bernardo, Gibson, Friend (Fry 9); Clayton, Leadbitter; Fischer (Traore 62), Downing, Bamford (Stuani 70); Gestede. Subs (not used): Valdes (gk), Forshaw, De Roon, Negredo.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY: (4-4-2): Rodak; Rodgers, Beckles (Gornell 90), Hughes, Donacien; Clare, Conneely, Davies (Clark 72), McConville; Kee, Boco (McCartan 72). Subs (not used): Chapman (gk), Hewitt, Edwards, Shaw.