How Middlesbrough's players rated in the 2-1 defeat at Preston:

4 Glover: Should do better with first goal. Distribution poor all night. Will be fortunate to keep his place on Saturday.

5 Ayling: Disappointing night for the full-back, who was sloppy in possession. Replaced in the second half.

6 Van den Berg: Conceded possession in build-up to first goal but otherwise untroubled. Preston only had two shots.

5 Clarke: Poor clearance in build-up to Preston opener.

6 Thomas: Solid defensively for most part but switched off for Preston’s second goal. Impressive in attack in second half.

6 Howson: Dominated early exchanges but beaten too easily for goal. At the heart of a lot of Boro’s second half play.

6 Hackney: Looked more comfortable in midfield than in attacking role he’s occupied in recent weeks. Injury worry after late withdrawal.

6 Forss: Boro’s liveliest forward in first half. Had blatant penalty turned down. Denied by fine Woodman save in second half.

6 Azaz: Didn’t happen for him in the first half but improved after the break. Scored brilliant goal.

7 McGree: Pulled the strings in the second half. His first start since Asian Cup, will surely now stay in the team.

5 Greenwood: Couple of early efforts but never really looked like scoring. Still not convincing as a striker.

Substitutes:

6 Silvera (for Greenwood, 68): Bright from the bench without looking like scoring.

Dijksteel (for Ayling, 73): N/A

O’Brien (for Hackney, 89): N/A

Subs not used: Dieng, Barlaser, Hoppe, Gilbert, McNair,Engel

Preston: Woodman 7, Hughes 6 (Cunningham, 8), Lindsay 6 (Whatmough, 75), Storey 6; Brady 6, Millar 7, Browne 6, Frokjaer-Jenson 6, Whiteman 6 (McCann, 82), Riis 7 (Osmajic, 75) Keane 6 (Stewart, 75)

Subs not used: Cornell, Seary, Ledson, Woodburn

Man of the Match: McGree. Boro’s most influential player in second half, when most of their good work went through the Australian international.