Match Report: Boro 0 Barnsley 1

A 93^rd minute goal proved decisive as Boro were beaten by Barnsley at the Riverside in the Carabao Cup.

In a week when a number of Championship sides had tasted defeat to League One opposition, Boro joined that list after a late, late strike from Josh Benson.

It was a cruel blow on Boro after they were the team in the ascendancy for much of the second half and come closest to breaking the deadlock.

Chris Wilder had rung the changes and there were debuts for Liam Roberts and Sonny Finch while Tommy Smith, Caolan Boyd-Munce, and Joe Gibson started for the first time at the Riverside.

Boro started brightly and Duncan Watmore had an early shot saved before Hayden Hackney sent an effort wide of the mark. Joe Gibson also had a shot blocked by a Barnsley defender.

Luca Connell sent an effort over the top for the visitors and Roberts was called upon to save from Mads Andersen.

There was little fluency about the contest, and Roberts was called upon again to spread himself after a wayward pass almost created an opportunity for the visitors.

Jack Aitchison was next to send a shot wide of the mark after finding space just inside of the box.

There were shouts for a penalty before the half-time whistle when Finch appeared to be bundled to the ground, but the referee was unmoved.

The Boro boss was urging his side to up the tempo as the second half got underway, and Gibson sent a cross-cum-shot across goal and narrowly wide of the upright.

Hackney did well to release Watmore on goal, but Conor McCarthy got in a vital block to deny the Boro striker.

Hackney also supplied the delivery from a corner which Paddy McNair met with a glancing header, Anfernee Dijksteel unable to get his foot in as the ball bounced past the post.

The visitors responded quickly on the counter and Aden Marsh sent a shot into the side-netting.

That was the cue for a triple change for Boro. Bryant Bilongo came on for his debut and Marcus Forss and Chuba Akpom were also introduced to proceedings.

Daniel Dodds was the next Boro man to make his debut when he came on for Marc Bola with 17 minutes left on the clock.

Dael Fry did well to create an opportunity for Forss down the middle, but the Finnish international was unable to get his shot away and was ultimately crowded out.

There was time for another debut as Isaac Fletcher replaced Gibson for the closing stages.

Dodds had a bursting run forward which was ended by a strong challenge, earning Boro a corner.

Fletcher whipped in a ball which Dijksteel headed off target and Fry went close when he was denied by Jack Walton in the Barnsley goal.

Dodds and Fletcher combined well, but the latter was denied by a block, and Walton gathered a header from Akpom as Boro pushed for a decisive goal.

Fletcher also sent a shot wide after Bilongo headed back and it was Boro who were doing all the attacking as the game reached the 90-minute mark.

But the decisive goal came three minutes into stoppage time. Benson’s first shot was saved by Roberts, but the Barnsley man was able to follow-up and tap the ball home from close range.