Massimo Maccarone was again Middlesbrough's Uefa Cup hero as his late goal sent Steaua Bucharest spinning out 4-2 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate in a thrilling semi-final.

Steve McClaren's troops trailed 1-0 from the first leg - but after overturning a 3-0 deficit against Basle to win 4-3 in the previous round, were confident of reaching the May 10th showpiece in Eindhoven.

Things were again looking bleak when Steaua took a 2-0 lead at the Riverside thanks to goals from Nicolae Dica (16) and Dorin Goian (24).

But Gareth Southgate's exit with a hamstring injury on 26 minutes forced McClaren to send on Maccarone - and the Italian striker thumped home a right-footed shot on 33 to give the hosts hope.

Mark Viduka had two fine shots saved by Carlos before the break - and as the hosts totally dominated after the interval, it was 2-2 on the night when Viduka headed home on 64 minutes.

With growing belief sweeping around the stadium, Chris Riggott poked home after the keeper parried Stewart Downing's shot on 73.

But it was Maccarone, who scored the dramatic clincher against Basle, who again stole the headlines when he powered home Downing's left-wing cross in the 89th minute.

The other semi-final against Seville and Schalke is currently scoreless.