Aitor Karanka hailed unsung hero Cristhian Stuani after seeing him come from off the bench to help Middlesbrough beat League One side Oxford 3-2 in the FA Cup fifth round.
Stuani's 86th-minute winner at the Riverside Stadium ended the visitors' hopes of a replay after they had fought their way back from 2-0 down.
The Uruguay international's goal against Brighton in the final game of last season secured Boro's return to the top flight and he was on hand once again to earn the plaudits of the Boro head coach.
Karanka said: "He is really important and for me, it's a shame that maybe it is not recognised how good he is and how much he is helping us.