Source: Team_Talk
Strachan pleased with Boro point
Boro had the better of the chances but failed to make them count, while City could not take advantage of their extra body following the 58th-minute dismissal of Barry Robson for a second yellow card.[LNB]Strachan was pleased to see his side make it three games unbeaten and clock up their first clean sheet since the Boxing Day win over Scunthorpe, but admitted they still lack a cutting edge.[LNB]"That was the best in terms of team spirit since I came here," he said.[LNB]"It was a great footballing performance and after we went down to 10 men we controlled the game and there was great enthusiasm, but we had the old failing again in the 18-yard box.[LNB]"We didn't really work their goalkeeper but I thought what we put in in terms of effort and ability was terrific. We're just not getting the rewards at the moment.[LNB]"We didn't look as if we were a man short. We just needed a wee bit more thought in the final third and we'd have been fine. Maybe the people up front need to be feeling a bit better about themselves.[LNB]"But overall I was pleased. Willo Flood and Gary O'Neil were fantastic in midfield, Chris Killen held it up brilliantly and Adam Johnson showed flashes of brilliance while the centre-backs were comfortable."[LNB]Robins boss Gary Johnson was also happy with his team's efforts as they gave a positive reponse to their 6-0 midweek mauling by Cardiff.[LNB]"The lads showed great work-rate and effort out there and real commitment to the team and we needed that after what happened on Tuesday," he said.[LNB]"We worked hard to limit them in the chances department and Bradley Orr did exceptionally well to keep Adam Johnson quiet because he is a real threat, but there was real endeavour through the team.[LNB]"I was delighted with that and the fact that everyone concentrated right to the end.[LNB]"Maybe we could have created more when it went 11 against 10 but it doesn't always work out like that. They are a good side and we have played well against them. It was a good point."[LNB]In an even opening spell, City threatened as Jamal Campbell-Ryce cut in from the left to send in a curling 20-yard effort that was well saved.[LNB]Boro also went close when David Wheater headed over an O'Neil corner on 20 minutes, and they threatened again just before the break as Leroy Lita cut into the box from the right but his effort from a tight angle was saved by Dean Gerken.[LNB]After the break City showed first when Campbell-Ryce cut past his marker and squared for Paul Hartley to fire just over from 20 yards.[LNB]Boro then had Robson sent off after 57 minutes when he was outpaced by Nicky Maynard and put in a despairing tackle from behind for his second yellow.[LNB]Marvin Elliott brought a good save from home goalkeeper Danny Coyne with a downward header soon after, before Boro finished with a fruitless flurry as Killen headed over and Wheater charged through the crowd to reach an O'Neil corner but sent his diving header wide.[LNB][LNB][LNB]
