ACADEMY director Nick Marshall believes Nottingham Forest's success in the FA Youth Cup shows what can be achieved with hard work and character.

The Reds beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside on Tuesday night thanks to George Thomson's superb long-range strike in the 89th minute.

It sets up a fifth round tie at home to Bolton, who beat Hull 3-0, and they are now one win off the quarter-finals.

That is the round previous Forest under-18 teams reached, containing the likes of Michael Dawson and before that Jermaine Jenas, before being dumped out of the competition.

And while Marshall said the current squad might not boast as much natural talent as teams of the past, they more than make up for it in other areas.

He said: "It is a great result against one of the top academies in the country, a team that won this competition in 2004. It is a fantastic win away from home.

"It was a disciplined performance, the boys worked hard and restricted them and at the back we were confident and created as many, if not more, chances than them.

"Not being disrespectful, this group of players might not have the quality of some of the groups before them but they make up for that with their honesty and lots and lots of character.

"If there was ever an example of how far character, honesty and hard work can take you, these last two games have been it. Two great wins against two of the best academies around – and deserved wins as well."

The game looked destined for extra time until Thomson's superb late strike.

"That is exactly what he is capable of, scoring goals like that – what a way to win a game," said Marshall.

Forest beat West Ham in the third round, winning 3-1 at the City Ground.

And Marshall said the coaching staff of the under-18s deserved huge credit for what has been achieved.

He added: "It is of great credit to Chris Fairclough and his staff. They have worked very, very hard with these lads and that is what resulted in a great performance and win against Middlesbrough.

"There is another tough game now against Bolton, but another winnable one.

"But the lads should be delighted with what they have achieved."