At least when Michael Carrick and Middlesbrough return to Devon later this week they will carry ultimately happy memories from this visit. An 82nd-minute penalty by Emmanuel Latte Lath propelled Boro into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and proved the difference against a spirited Exeter City after four fantastic goals, two by the hosts’ on-loan Brentford midfielder Ryan Trevitt, punctuated a thrilling tie.
This was anything but a comfortable evening for Boro, however. Their analysts – as well as the first-team coach, Grant Leadbitter, in conversation with Carrick’s staff on the touchline throughout – were stationed in the main stand surrounded by some of the 1,031 away fans who made this mammoth 14-hour, 686-mile round trip.
