Middlesbrough's George Boateng (left) scores against Manchester United during their FA Cup quarter-final in Middlesbrough yesterday. The game ended 2-2.

LONDON (Reuters):

MANCHESTER UNITED'S hopes of repeating their 1999 treble remained alive yesterday after a 68th-minute penalty by Cristiano Ronaldo secured a 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough in their FA Cup quarter-final.

United, top of the Premier League and into the last eight of the Champions League, took the lead with a Wayne Rooney shot after 23 minutes.

Boro turned the game around either side of halftime with goals by Lee Cattermole and George Boateng before Portugal winger Ronaldo levelled from the spot.

United are chasing a record-equalling 25th appearance in the semis and a 12th FA Cup success.

Boro, who needed a replay in all three previous rounds, must again contest a second match at Old Trafford on March 19.

"We are still in there fighting," Boro manager Gareth Southgate said. "I'm disappointed, having gone ahead against them you want to hold on and win.

"In the second half we played well, with a little bit more fortune we might have gone through."

United started well and it was no surprise when Rooney cut inside and drilled in his first goal since January.

Stand-in keeper Tomasz Kuszczak denied Boro striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu while United winger Ryan Giggs shaved a post with a volley.

The equaliser came in the last minute of the first half when Kuszczak clattered into Rio Ferdinand and Julio Arca nodded the ball to Cattermole, who swivelled to volley into an unguarded net.

Within two minutes of the restart Boateng was left unmarked at a corner to plant a header beyond Kuszczak.

Boro fans were beginning to think they had done enough when Boateng handled as Ferdinand flicked on a near-post corner and Ronaldo converted the penalty.

"Devastated. I feel the referee has robbed us tonight," Boateng said of the penalty decision.

"It's a natural instinct that when a shot comes in you try to protect your face."

Southgate took a more balanced view.

"I can see why he's given it because George has got his hands up but I will say he was only a yard away," said the Boro manager.

The three other quarter-finals take place today when Tottenham Hotspur visit Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers host Manchester City and second division Plymouth Argyle entertain Premier League strugglers Watford.