Two-goal Stuani enjoys debut as Middlesbrough avoid joining lengthy list of Cup casualties

Middlesbrough's Christian Stuani (left) celebrates scoring his side's second goal with team-mate James Husband.

There was early drama as Diego Fabbrini was brought down in the box by David Cornell. The goalkeeper made amends by saving Adam Clayton’s penalty.

Boro did take the lead in the 23rd minute through Yanic Wildschut’s low drive and doubled their advantage when Fabbrini crossed for Stuani to nod in.

Stuani doubled his tally with a close-range finish from James Husband’s cross, before Danny Philliskirk grabbed an injury-time consolation for Oldham.

In a week littered with cup upsets, Sky Bet Championship team Boro were always in control against their League One opponents.

They missed a golden chance to go ahead on seven minutes as Fabbrini burst into the Oldham box and tried to round goalkeeper Cornell, who brought him down to concede a penalty.

But Cornell, on his Oldham debut, made amends from Clayton’s spot-kick as he dived to his right and clawed the ball to safety.

Boro missed more early chances but their pressure told after 23 minutes when Albert Adomah’s through-ball sent Wildschut racing behind the defence to slot home from 12 yards.

The lead was doubled on 41 minutes when Fabbrini showed pace and trickery down the left before crossing for Uruguay international striker Stuani to glance in and eight-yard header.

New signing Stuani killed off the home side after 61 minutes with a simple far post tap-in from James Husband’s excellent low cross.

Oldham’s consolation goal came deep in stoppage time when Lee Croft’s ball from the left was headed in from eight yards by Philliskirk.

Oldham: Cornell, Brian Wilson, James Wilson, Gunning, Mills, Kelly, Philliskirk, Croft, Winchester (Poleon 60), Forte (Dunn 60), Cassidy (Turner 84). Unused substitutes: Coleman, Brown, Green, Burn.

Middlesbrough: Mejias, Nsue, Ayala (Fry 84), Stephens, Husband, Clayton (Leadbitter 69), Forshaw, Adomah, Fabbrini (Downing 73), Wildschut, Stuani. Unused substitutes: Konstantopoulos, Friend, Garcia, Kalas.

Sky Bet League Two Portsmouth maintained their impressive start to the season by dumping Championship side Derby out of the Capital One Cup at the first hurdle.

Pompey, who were 3-0 winners at home to Dagenham in their opening game last Saturday, went in front through Adam McGurk’s header, although Rams goalkeeper Lee Grant should perhaps have kept it out.

It was all square after 73 minutes when defender Jason Shackell headed home a Johnny Russell corner at the far post, but Derby’s joy was short-lived as Conor Chaplin neatly converted Enda Stevens’ cut-back.

Preston eased through to the second round by beating Crewe 3-1 at Gresty Road.

Two goals in the opening 15 minutes – a penalty from Jordan Hugill and Manchester United loanee Will Keane’s first for the club – looked to have put North End firmly in command.

Swansea youngster Adam King pulled one back in the 36th minute with a first-time strike, but Preston secured their place in the second round thanks to Josh Brownhill’s late third.

Owls in safe hands: Page 22.