TONY PULIS was delighted to see his faith in Marcus Tavernier justified as the teenage winger scored in Middlesbrough’s 2-1 win at Brentford.

Pulis handed Tavernier his first league start of the season ahead of Martin Braithwaite, who was left out of the match-day squad after playing in both of Denmark’s matches during the recent international break.

The Boro boss chose Tavernier ahead of the likes of Britt Assombalonga, Rudy Gestede and George Saville, and the 19-year-old played a major role in the Griffin Park win that lifted Boro back up to second in the table.

Tavernier headed home Dael Fry’s cross to double Boro’s lead after Jordan Hugill had opened the scoring, and while Alan Judge pulled a goal back to set up a nervy finale, the Teessiders held on to stretch their unbeaten run to seven games.

Pulis said: “I thought Tav did really well. He’s a 19-year-old, just coming in. I decided earlier in the week he was going to play, but didn’t tell him until he got back on Thursday from England Under-20s. It was Wednesday actually, I think I told him in the gym.

“I left Martin out because of that (his involvement for Denmark) - his legs, his pace - and he wants to run and run forward.  His goal, it's a great ball in from Dael.”

Boro had to dig deep as Brentford staged a grandstand finish, but Darren Randolph made a couple of excellent saves and the Teessiders' resilience and spirit once again came to the fore.

Pulis was delighted to see his players digging in to claim all three points, although he was once again frustrated by the failure to make the most of their chances.

Hugill spurned an excellent first-half chance before opening the scoring, and both Aden Flint and Lewis Wing failed to find the target from inviting positions in the penalty area.

Pulis said: “It's never an easy place to come. They’re a good team, they move the ball around, and I thought the lads worked really hard.

“But you can criticise our finishing again. Flinty's chance in the first half, he should be hitting the target, Jordan goes through and we had two or three other opportunities we never turned into chances or goals.

“In the second half, Wingy missed a good chance and Jordan missed another, he should have put his laces through it and why he's waited I don't know.

“You have to give Brentford real credit, they had a right go in the second half. I know they've got nothing to lose, but I'm really pleased with the three points.”