RELIEVED Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray admitted his side had just scraped through against Shrewsbury after a close call at the Riverside.

His side were yesterday handed a mouth-watering FA Cup fourth-round tie at Sunderland as a reward for their narrow 1-0 win over the League Two outfit.

The Teessiders rode their luck as the spirited Shrews carved out good chances before Marvin Emnes plundered the crucial goal just before the break.

Boro then had chances to seal it but were left hanging on as the underdogs hit back – and it took a one-handed stoppage-time save by substitute goalkeeper Danny Coyne to prevent a leveller.

Mowbray said: “It was never comfortable for us. I have to give them (Shrewsbury) huge credit.

“They were a credit to their club and to the second division and if they are a reflection of the standard at that level then it must be a very good league.

“They were on the front foot from the off, played very positive football and asked us a lot of questions.

“We rode our luck a little and they created good chances to get something, especially late on when Danny had to make two crucial saves.”

Despite that, Mowbray believes his side deserved to win – even though the margin was a fine one.

He added: “Don’t forget we had our own chances.