Goals:

0-1: Harrop (40, reacted inside the six-yard box to turn in the loose ball after Browne’s effort hit the inside of the post)

1-1: Fisher (42, could only help McNair’s low cross in from close range with Assombalonga lurking)

Referee: Darren England (Barnsley) – annoyed the home fans with a few strange decisions but nothing too serious to worry about 5

Bookings: Pearson (66, foul); Clayton (86, foul); Fisher (90, foul)

Attendance: 17,961

Entertainment: **

Boro PNE

Shots on 3 1

Shots off 11 7

Corners 2 3

Offsides 2 2

Fouls 16 17

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-1-4-1):

6 Randolph: Got his handling right when the ball fell his way but wasn’t called into action as much as he might have expected;

7 Dijksteel: Had a decent enough game down the right and involved in the move for the equaliser

6 Ayala: Had to be included after the weekend performance at the back and justified his inclusion

6 Fry: Fared better than he did against the Owls on Saturday without being at his very best

6 Shotton: Might prefer to play centrally but still looked to attack and defend down a weaker side;

6 Clayton: Kept the ball moving in front of the back four and justified his place in the side after Saturday’s disappointment;

7 Tavernier: Lively enough, looked to get involved and was close to scoring in the second half

7 Howson: was a welcome presence in the Boro midfield again on his first start after injury

7 McNAIR: Did well to push forward when he could and involved in the equaliser and other decent attacks

6 Browne: Had his moments in both halves after a bright start when he went close to putting Boro ahead but for the keeper’s legs;

5 Assombalonga: Unable to get his name on the scoresheet again and not looking as confident as he can

Subs:

Johnson (for Browne 80)

Fletcher (for Assombalonga 80)

(not used): Pears (gk), Walker, Saville, Wing, Bola.

PRESTON NORTH END (4-5-1): Rudd 6; Fisher 4, Bauer 7, Davies 7, Rafferty 5; Maguire 6, Pearson 5, Johnson 7 (Gallagher 80), Browne 7, Harrop 7 (Nugent 56, 5); Barkhuizen 6 (Potts 81). Subs (not used): Ripley (gk), Storey, Ledson, Ginnelly.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Paddy McNair – the key man for the equaliser and was a regular threat to the Preston defence with his forward runs