Match Report: Leicester City 2 Middlesbrough 2 (From The Northern Echo)

Boro denied by Beckford leveller

11:40pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Middlesbrough FC Match Reports By Steph Clark

Leicester City 2 Middlesbrough 2

MIDDLESBROUGH finally secured their first point of 2012, but it should have been their first win after a late Jermaine Beckford equaliser earned Leicester City a draw last night.

It was a bittersweet night for Boro defender Tony McMahon, who after putting Tony Mowbray's side ahead with ten minutes to go, gifted Nigel Pearson's side an equaliser at the King Power Stadium.

David Nugent had put the Foxes in front after seven minutes, but Scott McDonald's header got Boro back into the game.

Boro will be pleased to finally put a point on the board after a disastrous start to the New Year, but Mowbray was disappointed it wasn't three.

Boro's away form has been a big reason why they are genuine play-off contenders, but they got off to the worst possible start and were behind early on.

Richie Wellens received a throw-in with his back to goal and flicked the ball high into the box where David Nugent was waiting to nod home from point-blank range.

It was a sucker punch for Boro, but they fought back straight away with McMahon seeing his long-range effort go just over.

Matt Mills then made an attempted clearance that deflected off his shin and left Kasper Schmeichel diving as the ball went inches wide.

The visitors continued to press with Marvin Emnes' first-time shot from the edge of the area saved after McDonald's effort deflected into his path off Mills.

But Boro, within eight minutes of going behind, were level.

McMahon sent a left-sided corner to the near post to Seb Hines, who flicked the ball on to McDonald who headed in at the back post.

The equaliser gave Boro a lift with Emnes and Lukas Jutkiewicz causing the Foxes' back line problems.

McMahon had a great chance to put Boro ahead just before the half hour mark when he collected the ball from Barry Robson and turned on the edge of the area before unleashing a low drive that went inches wide.

Both sides were looking dangerous on the break and after McDonald had seen his first time strike saved, the Foxes replied with a chance of their own when Beckford blasted just over after a looping ball over the top from Neil Danns.

Beckford had another chance moments later as half time approached, but this time his powerful strike was saved brilliantly by the returning Jason Steele.

City came out from the break hoping to repeat their good start in the first and immediately the Boro goal was under attack when Paul Gallagher shot wide from the right side of the area.

The lively Beckford was a constant threat to Matthew Bates and Hines with his pace and the former Everton striker almost found a way through after cutting inside from the left, but a poor touch allowed Steele to collect the ball.

Boro were finding it hard to get out of their half, but the back line stood firm with Hines doing well to block Nugent's goalbound effort from inside the area.

Steele had to be alert when substitute Danny Drinkwater tried his luck from 25 yards, but the Boro keeper showed no signs of rustiness, collecting the ball comfortably.

As the three quarter mark approached Boro were yet to register a clear chance and they almost found themselves behind again.

Nugent flicked the ball to Beckford and the striker hit a stunning first time volley from a tight angle that rattled the bar.

The chance seemed to give Boro a much-needed wake-up call and for the first time in the second half, Schmeichel was called into action when he got his fingertips to Jutkiewicz's cross-shot.

Then in the 79th minute Boro found themselves in front from a McMahon free-kick.

Sean St Ledger fouled Rhys Williams and despite Boro being firmly on the back foot through the half, McMahon curled a stunning free kick past Schmeichel from 25 yards.

Buoyed by the goal, Boro broke again and Jutkiewicz almost latched onto Kevin Thomson's left side cross. The hosts were stunned, but they pushed for an equaliser and got it with a helping hand.

McMahon played a short back pass to Steele and Beckford was able to nip in and steal the ball before finishing from close range.

Danns almost won it for Leicester as the clock ticked 90, but his effort went just wide of Steele's post.