NORWICH City Under-18s Todd Cantwell says their stunning 5-4 FA Youth Cup fifth round victory over Middlesbrough at Carrow Road on Wednesday evening was down to a collective 'never-say-die' attitude.

The midfielder put City in front early on with a penalty, only for four Boro goals to seemingly take the fifth round tie away from Graeme Murty's youngsters.

However, City's youngsters impressively fought back from three behind to force extra-time, ahead of Man of the Match Cantwell notching the eventual winner from close-range on 103 minutes.

Speaking to Norwich City TV after an enthralling contest, Cantwell said: "It was unbelievable because at 4-1 down you think you're out of the game.

"We'd started well and got the first goal but then maybe got a bit complacent. At half-time we were told to 'start again at 0-0' and start the second half how we had in the first half.

"That's exactly what we did did. The belief and togetherness brought us back into it, and it's a great experience for us."

Cantwell's extra-time strike set up a quarter-final Etihad Stadium meeting with Manchester City, who themselves overcame Wigan Athletic to reach the last eight of the competition.

"I actually nearly missed it!," the 17-year-old laughed as he reflected on providing the decisive moment of a nine-goal thriller.

"I knew Jamal Lewis was going to drive across goal, so I gambled. Louis Ramsay had told me earlier I was going to get the winner, and I've managed to tuck it in.

"The fans really helped to push us on, particularly when we were 4-1 down. Their support was brilliant and we couldn't have done it without them.

"Hopefully I won't play in a game quite like this again because it was something else!"

TODD CANTWELL: BELIEF AND TOGETHERNESS

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