A patched-up Middlesbrough's FA Cup campaign is over for another year after falling to a 2-1 defeat against Brentford.

It was the hosts who has the first effort of the game as Tariq Fosu flashed an effort wide of the post after just four minutes.

Middlesbrough were pegged back in the early stages but did well to catch the Bees on the counter with Marcus Tavernier finding Hayden Hackney who fired an effort just wide of the post within 10 minutes of his senior debut.

The midfielder boasts an impressive reputation after coming through the ranks at Rockliffe Park and will no doubt be hoping that this performance can be the first of many that he makes in the senior set-up.

Hackney was very impressive from early on as he worked tirelessly to put Brentford's defence under pressure, directly leading to a chance for Chuba Akpom which was just tipped over from outside of the area.

Middlesbrough looked the more likely to make something happen in the first 20 minutes and nearly got their reward when Patrick Roberts set Marcus Browne, only to be denied by Luke Daniels in the Brentford goal.

But Thomas Frank's side were always going to be dangerous which was shown when a break from Fosu found Halil Dervisoglu who hit the side-netting.

Tavernier and Hackney combined once again with the young midfielder firing over, before the referee waved away an appeal after Browne's effort appeared to strike the arm of the defender.

However it was Brentford who took the lead when Dervisoglu slotted home following a corner.

Akpom and Lewis Wing then went close with efforts of their own before a nasty-looking injury to Browne put a real dampener on the first half as it ended with a sombre tone.

Middlesbrough could have sulked after the injury blow but instead it was Browne's replacement, Sam Folarin, who tapped home at the far post the make it 1-1 within a couple of minutes of the restart.

Both sides had opportunities after that but it was Saman Ghoddos who put the hosts back in front midway through the second half.

Patrick Roberts had had a relatively quiet night so far but went very close when a jinking run forced an excellent low save from Daniels in the Bees' goal.

Middlesbrough had moments of quality throughout the rest of the game but it was Brentford who dictated play to see out the game and progress to the fourth round.

For Neil Warnock's side it was a case of down and out, but certainly not despondent after a spirited display in difficult circumstances.

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