MAGNIFICENT Middlesbrough sealed their first-ever Wembley appearance with a dramatic extra-time Zenith Cup victory over First Division Aston Villa, at an emotion drenched Ayresome Park last night.

Bruce Rioch's exciting, young side showed remarkable powers of recovery to secure their final place on March 25 after Villa substitute Stuart Gray had levelled the tie with 13 minutes to go.

The Midlands side looked the, much stronger side going into extra time, but goal king Bernie Steven rescued Middlesbrough with his 24th goal of the season in the 102nd minute.

This goal proved the turning point and Paul Kerr, a former Villa player, sent the 20,806 Ayresome crowd into raptures with a tremendous second goal In the 109th minute.

Boro never reached the heights they had shown in their 2-1 first leg win at Villa Park, but they dug deep into their reservoir of courage.

Once again Slaven was the Boro hero and he was carried shoulder high from the field after a jubilant lap of honour.

The highly-competitive nature of the game took just five minutes to manifest itself with home midfielder Trevor Putney departing the proceedings on stretcher with a suspected broken leg following a dangerously high challenge from Gordon Cowans. The former England schemer was booked for his indiscretion and Middlesbrough were forced to re-organised with 19-year-old substitute Owen McGee replacing the unfortunate Putney.

Middlesbrough, assisted by strong, swirling wind at their backs, endeavoured to force the early pace, but found the quick-tackling Villa defence a formidable barrier.

The industrious Kerr produced the home side's first real threat in the 19th minute when he cleverly made space for himself on the edge of the visitors box, but the perfect-positioned Nigel Spink comfortably held his low 12-yard drive.

The pacy Tony Daley posed a constant threat to the Boro defence in the opening half with his strong, direct runs, but Villa's well-rehearsed set pieces was the biggest source anxiety for the home side.

This was underlined in the 37th minute when the towering lan Ormondroyd sent in a header that dropped just inches over the bar from Cowans’ inch-perfect corner from the right.

The tempo quickened considerably after the break eager Middlesbrough pressing is search of a quick goal.

The visitors grew in stature as the second half progressed and Pears had to produce magnificent diving save in the 69th minute to claw away a goal-bound effort from the impressive Daley.

Within 60 seconds Villa had sent on substitute Stuart Gray in place of Ormondroyd as they desperately sought the goal needed to keep the tie alive.

The switch worked a treat with substitute Gray producing the equaliser 13 minutes from time.

A long-range cross from Chris Price looked like dipping into the net until Pears, at full stretch, managed to fingertip it over. Cowans’ tantalising in-swinger from the left allowed Danish international Kent Nielsen to get a vital touch at the near post which left Gray with the simple task of heading in from almost on the line.

Villa looked the far more purposeful in the closing stages of normal time and the home side’s frayed nerves showed in the 85th minute when Kerr sold Pears short with a suicidal back pass. The home keeper had to go down bravely at Olney's feet to prevent a certain goal.

Kerr had a chance to make amends in the 89th minute when he found himself clear in the inside left position, but he hammered his 15-yard drive well over the top.

Bernie Slaven sent Ayresome Park wild with delight in the 12th minute of extra time when he scored a spectacular 24th goal of the season to restore Born's aggregate lead.

Alan Kernaghan's flick from Proctor's right wing corner created confusion in the Villa defence. There looked nothing on when the ball threaded through to Slaven lurking beyond the far post. However, the Scot showed admirable control before finding the tiniest of gaps with a rising, angled drive that gave Spink no chance.

Kerr sealed a famous Middlesbrough victory with a rasping. low 18-yard drive from Proctor's outswinging, leftwing corner four minutes into the second period of extra time.

There were incredible scenes of jubilation as the Middlesbrough supporters celebrated their first Wembley appearance in extravagant style.