Goals:

0-1: Tunnicliffe (17, swept a lovely first time finish inside Pears’ bottom right corner after Potts’ delivery was not dealt with properly)

Bookings: Cranie (37, foul); Berry (43, foul); Ruddock-Mpanzu (78, dissent)

Referee: Jarred Gillett (Australia) – did well to keep the game flowing as much as he did in blustery conditions and with Luton delaying play. 6

Attendance: 19,734

Entertainment: *

Shots on 7 10

Shots off 1 1

Corners 8 9

Fouls 9 14

Offsides 2 2

MIDDLESBROUGH (3-5-2):

6 Pears: Did well enough to gather balls into his area;

5 Howson: Not as effective as he can be but did improve

5 Moukoudi: Made plenty of blocks and looked comfortable to help keep trouble away

5 Friend: A strong enough return to the side after such a long lay-off but looked a little rusty;

5 Spence: Had his moments down the flank without being effective with the final ball

4 McNair: Never looked like he was really going to grab hold of the game

5 Wing: Unable to have the influence in the final third he has of late

4 Saville: Failed to control the tempo from the middle

6 COULSON: Darting run and cross almost led to a leveller

4 Nmecha: Never looked comfortable on the ball or likely to threaten in the final third

4 Fletcher: Unable to threaten the Luton goal and was given a tough afternoon

Subs

Assombalonga (for Saville 59): Went closest to scoring for Boro, but wasted it. 5

Gestede (for Spence 68): Made things a little harder for Luton, but not by much. 5

(not used): Mejias (gk), Shotton, Johnson, Tavernier.

LUTON TOWN (4-4-2): Sluga 6; PEARSON 7, Bradley 7, Carter-Vickers 7, Potts 7; Ruddock-Mpanzu 6, Cranie 6 (Rea 76), Berry 6 (Bree 72), Tunnicliffe 7; LuaLua 7 (Brown 83), Collins 5. Subs (not used): Shea, McManaman, Hylton, Shinnie.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Matty Pearson – out of position and restricted Boro when they got in to decent positions.