Match Review: Blackburn Rovers 2 Boro 1

Boro were denied at Blackburn despite fighting hard for a second half comeback.

Trailing 2-0, Michael Carrick's side were right back in it when Matt Crooks pulled a goal back and despite battering away at the home side's goal, there was to be no leveller.

The home side missed a glorious chance to take the lead inside two minutes when Tyrhys Dolan headed a Callum Brittain cross over the bar when he had the goal at his mercy.

Seny Dieng was also called upon to make a great reaction save to deny Lewis Travis after good work by Brittain and Sam Gallagher.

Boro’s first opportunity came after Blackburn failed to clear their lines following a raid by debut man Alex Bangura and Jonny Howson fired over the bar.

Boro had a firm foothold in the game now and Lewis O’Brien was next to try his luck with a shot which went wide.

But it was Blackburn who went in front shortly after the half-hour. Some good movement allowed Sammie Szmodics the space to drill the ball beyond Dieng and into the bottom corner.

Marcus Forss looked to respond immediately, forcing former Boro man Aynsley Pears into making a near post save, and Emmanuel Latte Lath headed wide from a Howson corner.

Latte Lath also headed into the arms of Pears after Howson picked him out in space at the far post with an excellent free-kick delivery.

But despite that, it was the hosts who went close again before the break, Gallagher fluffing his lines by heading wide of the upright.

Dieng was called upon immediately after the restart when Dolan was presented with another opportunity, and the Boro keeper averted the danger.

In response, an O’Brien shot was smothered by Pears, but a second goal swiftly followed for the home side.

They swept forward incisively once again and Szmodics lashed home his second of the afternoon despite the best efforts of Dieng to keep it out.

Howson again presented Latte Lath with an opportunity from a good delivery but his header was over the top.

Boro were back in it with 35 minutes remaining, though, when Howson was again involved, and Crooks turned home a Forss shot to reduce the arrears.

Boro fashioned out another good chance moments later. Forss was the architect with a neat pull-back, but Latte Lath lifted his shot over the bar. Forss himself shaved the post when Boro threatened again, and with the backing of 3,500 fans there was the scent of another goal.

O’Brien went close again and Van den Berg headed the resultant corner over the top after Pears had made a hash of collecting it while Dieng also made another good reaction save when Blackburn threatened.

With 14 minutes left, Carrick introduced Riley McGree in place of Crooks as Boro continued to look for a second goal.

It was Dieng who was called upon to make a good save to deny Szmodics again when an anticipated offside flag never came.

But Boro continued to knock at the door and after Forss had a shot blocked, McGree sent one over the bar.

But there was to be no way back for the visitors despite dominating the closing stages.