Sunderland-born winger Adam Johnson made his hometown team suffer last night as Middlesbrough's youngsters showed their love of the FA Youth Cup is as strong as ever.

After making the final of the competition for the last two years, Johnson's spectacular first-half strike kept Boro on track for a remarkable treble.

The 17-year-old's curler doubled the home side's lead after his flick-on had enabled skipper Matthew Bates to grab an early lead, and the midfielder's eye-catching display was the major factor in setting up a winnable fifth-round tie at Watford next month.

While the Middlesbrough ranks were seriously depleted when the home side were trounced 4-0 by Sunderland earlier this season, the glamour of the Youth Cup ensured Academy director Dave Parnaby could call on his biggest stars.

Six of the players who lined up last night were on duty when Boro lifted the trophy last April, with Bates and David Wheater forming a centre-half partnership that has already flourished for England's Under-18s.

Bates is being groomed to follow in the footsteps of last year's skipper Tony McMahon - the 18-year-old has already made his first-team bow - and, as well as impressing at the heart of defence, the centre-half even managed to open the scoring in the seventh minute.

Graeme Owens swung over a corner from the left flank and, after Johnson had flicked on at the near post, Bates stole in ahead of a static Sunderland defence to loop a header over Black Cats goalkeeper Trevor Carson.

With Joshua Walker pulling the strings at the heart of midfield, Boro's youngsters enjoyed the bulk of possession throughout the game.

Sunderland were a threat on the break, but the home side's composure and assurance meant they were always on the front foot dictating the pace of the play.

Johnson went close to doubling Boro's lead in the 12th minute, cutting in from the left touchline before firing a 20-yard drive at Carson, and the left-footer found his range in spectacular fashion shortly before the half-hour mark.

Drifting in from the right, Johnson dropped his shoulder before bending a deft 20-yard curler in the far corner of the net. If Bates is the natural successor to McMahon, then Johnson could yet be the new Stewart Downing.

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has also put his faith in youth this season but, unlike at Boro, the bulk of the Black Cats' youngsters have been brought into the club from elsewhere.

George McCartney, Kevin Kyle and Chris Brown have all come through the ranks though and, from his vantage point in the stands, McCarthy will have been hoping for evidence of similar potential.

Full-back Luke Ball displayed the same drive and determination as his father, Kevin, and striker Ian Graham was lively enough to force Bates into a couple of last-ditch tackles.

But, other than a tame Kevin Davison free-kick and a rasping drive from the lively David Dowson, Sunderland rarely threatened to get back into the game.

Instead, substitute Jonathan Grounds added a third in the final minute as he raced onto Adam Clough's through ball before stroking the ball beyond Carson.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-5-1): Knight, Burgess, Bates, Wheater, Hines, Owens (Lemaire 72), Robson (Grounds 72), Kennedy, Walker (Clough 72), A Johnson, Craddock. Subs (not used): Roberts, J Johnson.

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Carson, Ball, Christensen, Hartley, D Smith, Davison, Martin, Allen (Clarkson 86), Richardson (McFarlane 71), Dowson (Chapman 77), Graham. Subs (not used): Bell, R Smith

Result: Middlesbrough Youth 3 Sunderland Youth 0.