“If we were a bit more ruthless in front of goal it could have been an easier day for us.

“If we had put one of those away we would not have had to worry about hanging on or them getting an equaliser.

“We would have liked more goals and to make it comfortable but Boro fans have seen this season we are not a free-scoring team, we do not beat teams by three or four. We seem to be ‘1-0 to the Boro’ right now.

“We do not set up to be like that, it is just the way it is. We did not get the second goal and that made it a bit edgy.

“So it was not comfortable but we got through, we had another clean sheet and we do not have to worry about a replay.

“There are no easy games, we know that. The FA Cup is littered with giant-killings over the last 100 years.

“Last year we played well but lost at Burton Albion so we know how it feels. The bottom line is we are through.”

With anchor man Nicky Bailey out with a knee injury and regulars Julio Arca and Faris Haroun also having knocks and box-to-boxer Barry Robson banned, Boro were forced to play Malaury Martin, Kevin Thomson and Richie Smallwood.

Boro grabbed the vital goal on 40 minutes when Martin crossed from the left and Emnes stretched to deftly bring the ball down and scoop home.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Steele (Coyne 66), Hoyte, Bennett, Bates, Rhys Williams, Smallwood, Thomson, Martin (Kink 70), Ogbeche, Emnes, McDonald. Subs (not used): McManus, Hines, Main, McMahon, Reach. Booked: Thomson. Goal: Emnes 40.

SHREWSBURY: Chris Neal, Hurst, Sharps, Cansdell-Sherriff, Jacobson, Wright, Richards, McAllister, Ainsworth (Jon Taylor 79), Morgan, Gornell (Collins 79). Subs (not used): Smith, Grandison, Regan, Bradshaw, Wildig.

Booked: Hurst, Richards.

Referee: Tony Bates (Staffordshire) Attendance: 12,631