STEWART Downing was the match-winner as he crashed in a brilliant winner to seal a fifth round place for Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.

Other than Accrington could quite easily have nicked a draw on an afternoon that hardly inspired.

Here are the four key talking points from an afternoon when Boro did the job, just.

SUPER STEWY

Will he leave? Or won’t he? That is the question. This was only Downing’s second start of the last 13 games and Aitor Karanka has already had him told this month that he could leave.

In the end there was not a deal that satisfied everyone, so Downing didn’t go to Crystal Palace. In fact he didn’t go anywhere, so he got his chance and showed what he is capable of.

Downing has his knockers, but his goal and general play was of Premier League quality. There is an argument he deserves to start for this team in the league and it is hard to disagree, particularly given Gaston Ramirez’s situation.

FANS' APPROACH

It was all eyes on the supporters after a week when Karanka criticised the fans for their reaction to defeat to West Ham and his style of play.

He didn’t back down on Thursday either, so it was always going to be interesting to see how things developed against a team 72 places below them in the league standings.

Even though shots on target were few and far between until Downing’s thunderbolt, the home fans stuck by the team and created a decent atmosphere despite the lowly opposition.

There were no hints of ‘attack, attack, attack’ and in fact it was just one of relief and satisfaction that a victory was recorded over plucky Accrington – and the 24,000-plus numbers were impressive too.

RHODES OUT OF BORO

There was no sign of Jordan Rhodes, not even among the substitutes.

This was a chance for Rudy Gestede and Patrick Bamford to start, with Alvaro Negredo on the bench. Surely Rhodes will not play again for Middlesbrough, now it is just a matter of whether a Championship club can pay the cash for him.

Rhodes has interest from Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa. Can either pay the money required? It would have been interesting to see how he fared against Accrington today.

NEW BOYS

Gestede and Bamford had the opportunity to build up their match fitness and, by the final whistle, that was what both men can take from the game.

Neither got on the scoresheet, with the latter the likeliest on this afternoon because of a few missed chances. Gestede, on the other hand, didn’t have the chances in the final third.

The former Aston Villa man’s best moment came when he knocked down a delivery into the area which Viktor Fischer then wasted a chance.

More should come from both Gestede and Bamford - who have cost a combined £12m - given they have hardly started matches this season.

MANAGERIAL REACTION

Aitor Karanka said: “We were good. It was a difficult game to play and everyone thinks it is going to be easy.

“Look at the number of good teams who have lost today, Premier League teams and top of Championship. The big thing was to win the game.

“Downing was good. I said at half-time he was one of the best players on the pitch. He showed he wants to play and is ready to play. He is always in my thoughts. He has taken his chance. He is a player to consider.”

John Coleman said: “I am disappointed we got beaten. Boro picked as strong a side as any Premier League club. We went down to a wonder-goal.

“We don't want to be plucky losers, and we made three or four good chances. To only lose 1-0, we have not embarrassed ourselves.

“A replay would have been a financial godsend to us, on the TV and a big gate. It could have set us up for next year.”