Goal:
1-0: Downing (16, broke away from his marker at speed before firing a low shot inside Camp’s far corner)
Booking: Thorpe (53, foul)
Referee: Paul Tierney (Wigan) – could have issued a card earlier to Thorpe but otherwise kept things flowing. 6
Attendance: 21, 144
Entertainment: 2/5
Boro Roth
Shots on 3 1
Shots off 16 7
Corners 3 2
Offsides 3 1
Fouls 9 9
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):
6 Konstantopoulos: Very little to do as the men in front of him did their job to help him out;
6 Nsue: Had a particularly bright opening half hour but could have done more after that
6 Kalas: Defended well – except for a late scare - after being asked to slot in alongside Amorebieta in the absence of Gibson and Ayala
6 Amorebieta: Led by example until an error in the second half could have been costly
6 Friend: A couple of early errors but solid and dependable after that;
6 Clayton: Never looked in any danger of collecting a fifth caution ahead of the trip to Hull
7 Leadbitter: Would have hated to miss out on Saturday but quick to get back in gear;
7 Adomah: His pace provides Boro with a real outlet and it could have been used more
8 DOWNING: Showed his class to get Boro over the line with a lovely finish
6 De Pena: His best game so far since his arrival and could have scored;
6 Nugent: Lively enough without ever really threatening the goal himself
Subs:
Zuculini (for de Pena 66): No problems after his introduction. 6
Fabbrini (for Leadbitter 79)
(not used): Mejias (gk), Ayala, Gibson, Kike, Stephens.
ROTHERHAM (4-1-3-2): Camp 6; Richardson 5, COLLINS 7, Rawson 7, Tofollo 6; Thorpe 4; G Ward 4, Andreu 6 (Maguire 87), Green 6; Clarke-Harris 4 (Newell 63, 5), D Ward 6 (Bowery 72). Subs (not used): Collin (gk); Buxton, Broadfoot, Smallwood.
MAN OF THE MATCH STEWART Downing – put Boro on course for victory with his third goal since his return to the Riverside.
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