CRISTIANO RONALDO converted a second-half penalty to give Manchester United a 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Ronaldo’s 17th goal of the season came in the 68th minute after a debatable hand ball from Middlesbrough captain George Boateng.

Earlier, Boateng gave Middlesbrough a 2-1 lead in the 47th minute with a close-range header when he was left unmarked in the six-meter box.

Wayne Rooney opened the scoring in the 23rd with his 13th goal of the season. The England striker held off three Middlesbrough defenders on the edge of the area before calmly sending a low curling shot into the corner of the net.

Middlesbrough teenager Lee Cattermole equalized in the 44th following a goalmouth scramble. Trying to punch the ball away, Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak knocked over defender Rio Ferdinand.

Middlesbrough’s Julio Arca cleverly headed to Cattermole who controlled the ball, turned and scored on his second touch with a close-range volley.

The replay is on March 19.

“In the second half we played well, with a little bit more fortune we might have gone through,” Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate told the BBC.

“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 meter away,” said the manager.

(SD-Agencies)