NOTTINGHAM Forest academy director Nick Marshall said before this tie crunch games were all about dealing with pressure.

Playing in proper stadiums, in front of bigger crowds, and with much bigger stakes, some teenagers rise to the occasion while others can crumble.

While its parent is the most famous cup competition in the world, the FA Youth Cup holds a prestigious place for academies up and down the country.

Middlesbrough, like West Ham who Forest dumped out in the third round, are a Premiership club that prides itself on unearthing talent and promoting young players into the first team.

The north-easterners have a tradition in the competition and are former winners.

While Forest have yet to win it and ply their trade in the Championship, they too have a reputation for nurturing young players through the age groups into the senior side.

And last night, at the Riverside, Forest's under-18s would again prove they can rise to the occasion as a stunning strike from more than 30 yards from 16-year-old George Thomson in the 89th minute sealed a memorable 2-1 victory.

The evening got off to the perfect start and Forest could hardly believe it when they found themselves ahead after a mere 74 seconds, capitalising on a poor clearance from Boro goalkeeper Samuel Filler.

It fell to Nialle Rodney whose instant drive was blocked by the legs of a Middlesbrough defender but, as it dropped inside the six-yard box, Tim Hopkinson gambled to pounce first and prodded beyond Filler.

Hopkinson had started where he left off, after firing two goals in the 3-1 win against West Ham in the previous round.

For 25 minutes, Middlesbrough could not get a foothold in the game, but then midway through the half an injury to the referee forced a change of official. It allowed them to draw breath and they were sparked into life when Richard Smallwood burst into the Forest box and forced a one-handed save from Karl Darlow.

Reds skipper Tony Diagne then produced a superb block to deny the impressive James Cronesberry at the far post as the hosts piled on the pressure.

Boro drew level when Darlow denied Gary Martin with another one-handed save, but winger Patrick Otte pounced on the right of the box and fired into the empty goal from the angle.

It was a cruel blow just before the break and a test of character as the young Reds came out for the second half looking to bounce straight back.

They stayed mentally strong and while Marshall said they might not be as naturally gifted as some of the Forest junior teams of recent years, containing the likes of Michael Dawson and Jermaine Jenas, they made up for it in guts, character and determination.

And that showed as they stayed organised and worked hard to ensure Middlesbrough could not find a way through.

Rodney was to cause problems for the hosts in the second half.

On the hour he used his pace and strength, getting the better of Weldon down the right flank, before teeing up Daniel Elliott who ballooned over from the edge of the box.

Great footwork by Hopkinson saw him outfox his marker to get to the byline inside the box but when he pulled it across the face of goal, no Forest man could get the decisive touch.

On 72 minutes, Middlesbrough made a triple substitution, but within seconds it was Rodney darting into the box but from the angle and Filler had to react quickly to deny him at his near post.

Filler turned another long-range effort round for a corner before the Reds were given a scare when substitute Jonathan Harris had an opening from ten yards but Darlow saved.

But after defending resolutely as a team, Forest got their reward when the game looked destined for extra time.

With the clock ticking down, Thomson pounced on a headed clearance, took a touch, and from 30 yards or more thundered a superb strike beyond the helpless Filler.

It was worthy of winning any tie.

Bolton are next up for Forest at home, and they have another chance to showcase their talent.

It is also a great opportunity to secure a place in the last eight. And, who knows, maybe they can go even further than Premiership stars Jenas and Dawson managed in a Forest shirt.

Middlesbrough: Filler, Furness, Weldon (Bonar, 72), Shead, Robinson, Corker, Otte (Harris, 72), Smallwood, Martin, Gray (Roushias, 72), Cronesberry. Subs not used: Smith, Oliver.

Forest: Darlow, Fairclough, Freeman, Elliott, Diagne, McCashin, Thomson, Wright, Hopkinson, Rodney, Sykes (Mullen, 85). Subs not used: Mishra, O'Brien, Sibson, Watson.