Former Oxford United coach Steve McClaren may have lost out on the England job, but last night he steered Middlesbrough to their first European final.

Massimo Maccarone's 89th-minute goal put Boro into the Uefa Cup final against Sevilla in Eindhoven, Germany, on May 10 after another astonishing comeback.

Steaua Bucharest led 1-0 from the first leg and extended their lead early on through Nicolae Dica and Dorin Goian, leaving Boro needing four goals to win.

But McClaren's men, who had come from behind to beat Basle 4-3 in the quarter-final, responded superbly.

Maccarone, an early replacement for the injured Gareth Southgate and the man who bagged their last-minute winner against Basle, netted with angled drive and then Mark Viduka's header gave them fresh hope.

Chris Riggott scrambled home a third to level the tie on aggregate before Maccarone's header snatched victory.

McClaren was jubilant afterwards, saying: "I cannot believe it. It is incredible.

"It was down to character and attitude. I said that in the previous round against Basle it was the same here.

"I said that lightning couldn't strike twice in the same place, but it has done. Now let's go one step further and win the final."