THIS unpredictable Boro season took another twist in Humberside as Neil Warnock’s men were cruelly beaten by two goals to nil against Hull City.

In a game where both sides had to brave the elements, it was Boro who were left soggy and sad by the full time whistle with two goals in the last ten minutes condemning them to defeat before two weeks away due to the international break.

One goal came in almost comical fashion through a Joe Lumley own goal before Wilks made sure Grant McCann’s side earned a much needed win by finishing from a counter attack.

Boro will have been desperate to reward the 3,500 travelling fans with three points back up north. Instead, its another result where further inquests will continue into why Boro can’t get their season going and the pressure ramps back onto the Neil Warnock.

The Boro boss warned his side in the build up to the game that they needed to come out the traps in Humberside and the first ten minutes suggested those warnings fell on deaf ears.

Hull monopolised possession and passed it around Boro well. Di’Shon Bernard had the freedom of the right hand side to bear down to the edge of the box and fire a firm strike which Joe Lumley was forced to parry away.

Boro could only respond with a tame effort well wide of the mark by Duncan Watmore and a blocked effort from Marcus Tavernier and but the first 25 minutes belonged to the home side with Boro struggling to find a rhythm.

The rain was relentless and the wind wasn’t letting up either. The horrible conditions played their part in the game

However, Neil Warnock’s men as got hold of the ball and carved out a great chance. They worked the ball from right to left in Hull’s defensive third and Paddy McNair released Marc Bola on the left. His low cross was met by Tavernier at the front post but his flick was well saved by keeper Matt Ingram and the rebound deflected back off Tav and behind for a goal-kick.

A lot of Boro’s impetus was going through Tavernier and was at the heart of another great chance as he released Andraz Sporar through the Hull defence but he lashed his effort high and wide of the mark. It would have been carbon copy of his goal against Nottingham Forest a few weeks ago.

The Northern Echo:

Jacob Greaves had an effort from distance for the Tigers that flew well over the bar but in truth, the first half was glamourless as sections of both crowds booed their respective teams off at the break.

The second half resumed in a similar fashion as the rain continued to lash down. Neither side could really grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

Boro have had notable absences in defence all season and they were struck with another blow on the hour mark as Lee Peltier hauled Keane Lewis-Potter to the floor to pick up his fifth booking of the season. He’ll now miss Boro’s next game against Peterborough United a fortnight today.

The away side started to use the skiddy surface to their advantage and had two great chances in behind in two minutes.

Tavernier released Watmore into the channels who did well to shrug off the recovery challenge of Bernard to cut inside and tee up Tavernier on the edge of the box.

He had the choice of playing through Sporar or going for goal himself. He chose the latter and sliced his effort well off target.

The Slovenian striker was to have his chance moments later as Crooks fed his bending run in behind. Sporar opened his body out and tried to bend his effort passed Ingram only to see the ball ripple the side netting. Agonisingly close for Warnock’s men who were starting to get a foothold.

Ingram then came to the Tigers rescue with an outstanding low stop. Tavernier’s dinked a lovely through ball to Sporar who teed up McNair with a cushioned header. His first time effort was hit with plenty of pace but Ingram produced an brilliant save diving low to his right and getting a firm hand on it to palm away.

From that chance, there was just a sense that it wasn’t going to be Boro’s day. It turned out to be the case.

Ten minutes from time, an onslaught of Hull pressure lead to the ball deflecting of Eaves and falling kindly to Lewis-Potter who’s brilliant volley smacked off the post. The helpless Joe Lumley was on the receiving end of rotten luck when the ball cannoned off his back and into the net. It was a cruel way for Boro to concede.

Boro through everything they had on a boggy surface in search of an equaliser and were so close through the substitute.

Uche Ikpeazu swivelled his man in the box and struck at the near post but Ingram was equal to the task with another fine save.

As Boro threw numbers forward, it ended up being their downfall as the Tigers went in for the jugular and finished Boro off.

Substitute Mallik Wilks was released through on goal with Boro defenders desperately trying to chase back. Wilks Cryuff turned inside and buried his chance with his left foot as the ball ricocheted off the post and in.

It was a cruel way for Boro to lose the game and it didn’t do their performance justice but the biggest sticking point of the game will be some missed chances in the second half for them to put the game to bed.