Match Report: Burnley 3 Boro 1

League leaders Burnley came from behind to deny Michael Carrick's Boro at Turf Moor.

Duncan Watmore had given Boro a second half lead, but the home side hit back three times to end the unbeaten run.

It was another opportunity for Carrick to name an unchanged starting XI and with Matt Crooks missing out as a precaution after picking up a knock Pharrell Willis came in on the subs bench.

Boro were also roared on by a packed away end with 2,300 travelling Teessiders making their voices heard at kick-off.

Burnley defender Jordan Beyer had to be alert during the early exchanges to get the decisive touch when Jonny Howson whipped in a free-kick.

It took almost 30 minutes for the first real chance of the game when Johann Gudmundsson latched on to a ball over the top, but Zack Steffen was equal to his effort.

Boro fashioned out an opening before half-time when Chuba Akpom and Riley McGree combined, but Isaiah Jones’ finish was straight into the arms of the keeper.

Moments later, Akpom again combined with McGree, but Jones intended cross for Marcus Forss was cut-out.

Carrick made a change at half-time with Duncan Watmore coming on for Forss.

And the substitute made an immediate impact. Watmore capitalised in a Burnley mistake to race through on goal and delivered a high quality finish to fire Boro ahead.

Boro had a penalty appeal waved away when Taylor Harwood-Bellis appeared to bundle Akpom over just inside the box, and the hosts broke immediately to win a corner themselves.

But it was 1-1 on the hour when Manuel Benson was picked out with a long diagonal ball and he cut inside to tuck the ball past Steffen.

And Benson struck again seven minutes later when he sent a ball into the box from the Burnley right and it crept in at the far post.

Five minutes later, Boro were dealt a crushing blow when Jonny Howson turned a corner beyond the reach of Steffen and into his own goal to put Burnley 3-1 up in the contest.

Boro were awarded a penalty in the final moments when he adjudged to Connor Roberts to have handled on the line - the one-time Boro man was shown a straight red card - but Akpom wasn't able to extend his scoring streak and Arijanet Muric made the save.