Steve McClaren chose to reflect on the result rather than the performance after Middlesbrough needed extra-time to see off Brighton in the Carling Cup.
Only 10,435 fans were at the Riverside Stadium to watch Boro make hard work of creating clear-cut chances against a well-organised, but technically outclassed, Brighton outfit.
McClaren was without injured midfielder Gaizka Mendieta, but chose to rest Joseph Desire-Job and Bolo Zenden, as a tricky trip to Southampton follows in the Premiership on Saturday.
Recalled striker Michael Ricketts missed the best of the early chances, and although Michel Kuipers was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers, Boro could not find a way past him in normal time.
It took an instinctive finish from substitute Malcolm Christie on 93 minutes to finally beat the inspired Dutchman.
McClaren, however, was just pleased to have got past the "potential banana skin", although skipper Gareth Southgate hobbled off in the first half with what could be a serious groin problem.
"We got there in the end." said McClaren. "Everybody knows these games are difficult and potential banana skins.
"Teams last night have fallen by the wayside, teams this evening very nearly did. It is one of those rounds in which you have to get through it.
"We knew Brighton were not going to be easy. Steve Coppell has got them well organised, working hard and that's why they are doing well in their division.
"The goalkeeper, I thought, made some terrific saves and that's what you get in these games - an inspired performance by the opposition."
McClaren added: "I am delighted we got the vital goal, I would have liked it in normal time, but the most important thing was that we won the game and we can now forget about it and look forward to the draw."
Only 10,435 fans were at the Riverside Stadium to watch Boro make hard work of creating clear-cut chances against a well-organised, but technically outclassed, Brighton outfit.
McClaren was without injured midfielder Gaizka Mendieta, but chose to rest Joseph Desire-Job and Bolo Zenden, as a tricky trip to Southampton follows in the Premiership on Saturday.
Recalled striker Michael Ricketts missed the best of the early chances, and although Michel Kuipers was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers, Boro could not find a way past him in normal time.
It took an instinctive finish from substitute Malcolm Christie on 93 minutes to finally beat the inspired Dutchman.
McClaren, however, was just pleased to have got past the "potential banana skin", although skipper Gareth Southgate hobbled off in the first half with what could be a serious groin problem.
"We got there in the end." said McClaren. "Everybody knows these games are difficult and potential banana skins.
"Teams last night have fallen by the wayside, teams this evening very nearly did. It is one of those rounds in which you have to get through it.
"We knew Brighton were not going to be easy. Steve Coppell has got them well organised, working hard and that's why they are doing well in their division.
"The goalkeeper, I thought, made some terrific saves and that's what you get in these games - an inspired performance by the opposition."
McClaren added: "I am delighted we got the vital goal, I would have liked it in normal time, but the most important thing was that we won the game and we can now forget about it and look forward to the draw."
