Christian Stuani strikes guide Middlesbrough past Burton Albion in League Cup

Middlesbrough have come from behind to defeat Burton Albion 2-1 in extra time to earn a place in the third round of the League Cup thanks to a brace from Christian Stuani.

Boro carved out the first meaningful chance of the match when Stuani rose highest in the box to header a cross from the right at goal, but his effort was saved by Remi Matthews.

Burton took the lead when Matt Palmer lifted a free kick in from the left and Lucas Akins challenged for the ball with George Friend, leaving the defender to inadvertently guide it into his own net.

Adam Reach had a great opportunity to equalise for the visitors when he latched on to Adam Forshaw's corner, but he could only put his strike past the post.

Boro threatened again when Grant Leadbitter put a cross into the box, but Forshaw sent his header just wide of the target.

In the second half, Forshaw came close again when he collected a loose ball on the edge of the box and drilled a strike towards the net, but his strike went wide.

Middlesbrough earned their equalising goal as Tomas Kalas raided down the right and put a ball across the face of goal, where Stuani poked his effort past Matthews.

The visitors tried to steal a winner in the dying seconds of normal time when Stewart Downing raided upfield, but his effort was well saved by Matthews, sending the match into extra time.

In the first half of extra time, Burton came close to regaining the lead when Palmer volleyed at goal, but sent his effort over the bar.

Stuani notched his second goal of the game to put Boro ahead in the 109th minute as he latched on to Downing's cross and fired his strike past Matthews, which was enough to secure the victory for Aitor Karanka's men.