Match Review: Boro U21s 0 West Brom U21s 1

Boro Under-21s were hit with a late sucker punch as West Bromwich Albion left Heritage Park with all three PL2 points.

Despite the Teessiders dominating large spells of the contest, particularly in the first half, a 90th-minute goal settled matters in the visitors’ favour.

Calum Kavanagh was Boro’s chief goal threat throughout, and tested Ben Cisse in the Baggies goal with a glancing header in the first three minutes.

And there was better chance still for the young Irish forward as the clock ticked onto double digits, one of his own making as he won possession high up the field and drew a foul that left the referee with no doubt as he pointed to the penalty spot.

West Brom keeper Cisse, though, thwarted Kavanagh a second time as he guessed the correct way and pushed the penalty aside, and Boro were cursing their luck again moments later as defender Afonso Lindo headed onto the crossbar from the resulting corner kick.

The away side saved their best action of a quiet first 45 for almost the final kick of it, Layton Love flicking into the path of Ollie Bostock who streaked away only to see his effort saved by a sprawling Shea Connor.

Kavanagh went close again in the early knockings of the second half, rounding Cisse this time after a smart through ball from Yacou Traore, but the Baggies got a body back to hook his goal-bound effort clear off the line.

Having had little to go off in the first half, the away side did grow into the contest somewhat in the second, with Love firing one straight at Connor from a tight angle, and Deago Nelson heading over from a cross stood up to the back post.

And with seconds remaining in normal time, burly number nine Love delivered the match-winning moment, escaping Boro’s attentions to glance home with his head from a corner.

Kavanagh had chance for the final say as Boro pursued an equaliser in time added on, but after working room to get a shot away, his effort was comfortable enough for Cisse to gather.