2 Middlesbrough RECAP: Alan Browne earns late draw for Boro

FT: Preston 2-2 Boro

Boro remain unbeaten. Not at their best today, but showed grit to twice come from behind and at least avoid defeat.

What a game that was!

GOAL: Boro 2-2, Browne (90+2 mins)

Boro level! My word, what an end to this game! Ayling flicks a corner on at the near post. It's an almighty scramble with Hansen's acrobatic effort off the line. Browne is eventually credited with heading it over the line!

Boro pushing

All the momentum in their favour now. Their tails are up and they're pushing hard for that winner. Preston doing all they can to try and slow it down and take the sting out of it.

GOAL: Boro 1-1, Targett (72 mins)

Boro level! Sublime stuff from Nypan as he uses a lovely bit of skill to get through two and into the box. He slips it across the box to Conway whose effort is blocked, but it falls to Targett who fires it home.

Boro sub

Nypan on for Whittaker. Ironic cheers as Whittaker is off from the Boro fans.

Armstrong chance

Deep cross and Armstrong is at the back post and getting in front of Targett, who doesn't realise he's there. He heads wide though.

Sverre Nypan

The Man City loanee is stripped and ready to come on for Boro

Brittain goal disallowed

Boro think they're level but the offside flag is up.

Nice move results in Whittaker having it on the edge. It's three vs two and Conway is to his left, Brittain to his right. Conway looks the pass but Whittaker goes alone and sees his shot blocked. It falls for Brittain to fire home from close range but the linesman's flag is quickly up. Conway was the pass surely...

The HT change

Strelec has gone centre forward and Conway has moved to the left of him. Still playing a lot closer to him than Whittaker so far though.

Strelec adding to things

Straight away Boro look to have a bit more about them and Strelec is at the heart of it.

He looks big and strong but very mobile too. Causing problems already.

Some HT thoughts of the fans

Paul Smith: "Very Carrick like performance so far."

Masboro: "No width and no idea how to break them down."

Adam Goldsack: "We got bullied from the off."

Simon Dodsworth: "Maybe it’s a cunning ploy to keep expectations in check... If so, it’s working. That was awful."

Rob Lewis: "You'd almost think there was a sickness bug in the squad all week and they haven't recovered yet."

How do Boro react now?

This the first time this season they've found themselves behind in a league game. How will they react to it? We've already seen Edwards make two changes at the break at both Millwall and against Sheff Utd when he didn't feel it was working. Boro certainly need to show something different in the second half, whether that comes through personnel or tactical changes.

First half verdict

That was poor from Boro. Looked sluggish from the off and just haven't really got going at all. Sloppy passes throughout and few notable chances created. Goal conceded was far too easy. Would no be surprised if we see at least one HT change from Rob Edwards

Hackney chance

First Boro effort of note. Nice play through the midfield this time and Hackney gets the chance to drive towards the box. Sene splits the defence by peeling wide to create the gap, but Hackney slices his effort wide.

Stoopage in play

Dobbin down injured. It means the players head back to the dugouts for some instructions. Good opportunity for Edwards to get some instructions to his players, who have looked well off it here. Would no be surprised to see half-time changes if it stays like this until the break.

Boro looking to rebuild

Decent enough response to going behind. They've quickly re-established they're control of the ball. They're still not quite at it today though Boro. They just feel a yard or two off the pace and are sluggish and sloppy in possession.

We could be level

Iversen makes a mess of a punch from a Targett corner. It drops to Ayling who looks to volley into the unguarded net but he smashes it over the bar.

GOAL: Preston 1-0, Dobbin (22 mins)

Boro behind. Too easy. Straight ball through the midfield, with Dobbin in the hole between Boro's midfield and defence. He drives towards the box and Boro are sluggish to get out. He knocks it to the side of Ayling and then smashes top corner from the edge.

So far

Boro having more of the ball, but not quite at the races as yet. Just a bit sloppy with the ball. Credit to Preston too though. They're making life hard with their press.

Congested in the middle

Preston done their home work. All very congested in the middle of the park with little time for Boro to play their football and dictate the game so far. When they can play it through, it opens up for them. But it's been difficult so far to make that happen, with Preston rushing Boro.

Jones booked

Sloppy from the defender who gets the ball caught up in his feet. Loses possession and is then forced into a foul to stop the transition. Second Boro player in the book early doors.

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