Middlesbrough 2 West Ham 0

Zola handed a debut to Radoslav Kovac but the Czech midfielder looked short of form and struggled to adapt to the demands of the English game.

The West Ham boss also opted to pair Carlton Cole with Freddie Sears, while James Tomkins came in for the injured James Collins at centre-back.

After a 1-1 draw at the Boleyn Ground 10 days earlier hopes were high that the Hammers could overcome a Boro side who have struggled for form in recent months.

But those hopes were dashed when Downing slammed home a 25-yard-free kick that beat Rob Green all ends up after just five minutes.

The Hammers looked nervous at the back with normally assured defenders like Matthew Upson and Herita Ilunga making uncharacteristic errors.

And they were made to pay in the 20th minute when Tuncay pounced on a half-clearance by Tomkins to drive home a volley from 20 yards that eluded Green's grasp.

It left West Ham with a mountain to climb and despite the presence of England striker Cole they offered little attacking threat.

The big forward seemed to be struggling with injury while his diminutive partner Sears found it tough going against Boro's giant back-line.

Despite enjoying more possession than their hosts the Irons failed to seriously test Brad Jones with only Scott Parker coming close to pulling a goal back.

Zola threw on more attackers in the second half in David Di Michele and Diego Tristan but Middlesbrough held out comfortably and were unlucky not to extend their lead when Green bravely saved at the feet of the onrushing Alliadiere.

Although disappointed Zoal was realistic in defeat.

He said: "Middlesbrough were very good and, honestly, they deserved to win.

"It's a pity because so far in the FA Cup we have done well and we had many supporters here.

"We wanted to give them more satisfaction, which they deserved. It hasn't been the case and we're very happy about that.

"We've slowed down a little bit but it's understandable and normal at this stage of the season. We are very determined to start again and setting up another run."

West Ham will now have to concentrate on picking up enough Premier League points to try and qualify for next season's Europa League.

Middlesbrough: Jones, Hoyte, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, O'Neil, Bates, Arca (Walker 88), Downing, Tuncay (Adam Johnson 81), Aliadiere (Emnes 67). Unused: Turnbull, Taylor, Alves, McMahon.

Booked: O'Neil.

Goals: Downing 5, Tuncay 20.

West Ham: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble (Collison 56), Kovac (Tristan 69), Cole, Sears (Di Michele 57). Unused subs: Lastuvka, Lopez, Nsereko, Spector.

Booked: Behrami.

Att: 15,602

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).