Arsenal, Middlesbrough and West Brom progress

FA Cup round-up : Arsenal moved into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup today but battling Gillingham made them work hard for …

FA Cup round-up: Arsenal moved into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup today but battling Gillingham made them work hard for long periods at Highbury.

They were twice pegged back by Andy Hessenthaler's Division One outfit, before easing away to a 5-2 victory in the closing stages.

Sylvain Wiltord gave the Gunners the lead seven minutes before the interval but less than two minutes into the second period, Gillingham hauled themselves level with a stunning strike from Marlon King.

Former Gunner Paul Shaw slipped the striker into the area, taking advantage of Sol Campbell playing him onside, and King emphatically drilled across Richard Wright to the joy of the 6,500 supporters of the Kent club.

READ MORE

That joy was short-lived, however, as Arsenal regained the lead with a 50th-minute goal from Kanu.

But Gillingham made it three goals in six minutes with an even better goal than King's first. Ty Gooden found room in midfield, stepped past Campbell's challenge and flashed his left-footed shot over Wright from 20 yards.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's response to the situation was to throw on Thierry Henry and Robert Pires just after the hour-mark and it paid dividends.

Former Gunner Bartram was left helpless as a quality Pires centre picked out that man Adams and his header found its way into the net off the back of Mark Patterson.

Wiltord netted his 14th goal of the season nine minutes from time to give the Premiership side breathing space and Ray Parlour sealed the 5-2 win with a goal two minutes from time.

Elsewhere, Division Two’s Cheltenham put up some gallant resistance in the but their cup run was finally ended by West Brom at The Hawthorns.

The only goal of the game came after 64 minutes through former Sunderland striker Daniele Dichio.

Igor Balis sent over a dangerous cross from the right flank and Dichio, who moved from Wearside earlier in the season, sent an unstoppable header past Cheltenham keeper Steve Book.

Middlesbrough won the all Premiership contest with Blackburn, thanks to a late goal from Ugo Ehiogu. Blackburn had Lucas Neill sent off for a professional foul on Robbie Stockdale 18 minutes from time and Ehiogu made the man advantage pay with the decisive goal three minutes from time.

Gareth Southgate floated the ball in at a free-kick and his fellow centre-back Ehiogu powered a header downwards and into the net.

Earlier today, Fulham overcame Walsall 2-1.