Source: Northern_Echo
Boro extend unbeaten run
MIDDLESBROUGH extended their unbeaten run to six following a spluttering home victory over Peterborough United courtesy of Barry Robson's first goal for the club.[LNB] The Boro skipper was inspirational throughout a largely forgettable spectacle but it was perhaps fitting it was he who netted the winner as he led the Teessiders to their second successive victory within a week.[LNB] Robson was on the end of a fine flowing move down the left, timing his run to perfection to get on the end of the impressive Jonathan Franks' cross from 15 yards.[LNB] It was the first time Boro had won back to back games since the middle of September. At the time Gareth Southgate's side were sitting second in the Championship table. But since then the club's fortunes have slumped somewhat until recently.[LNB] The 1-0 victory over Posh wasn't enough for the hosts to break into the play-off places, as both Leicester and Sheffield United, the teams immediately above them, won. But Gordon Strachan's side can take comfort in the fact that they're now knocking on the promotion door, something which looked extremely unlikely until the turn of the year.[LNB] The Teessiders largely dominated the contest and their lead was rarely under threat in a match where there was little in terms of thrills and spills to get the home support excited. The Boro fans were off their feet, however, when Robson netted to put the home side ahead after seven minutes from Franks' pin-point cross.[LNB] Boro started the game with a flourish and Josh Walker, in for the injured Gary O'Neil, had goalkeeper Joe Lewis scrambling across his goal after only two minutes to turn the ball away for a corner.[LNB] And after Robson had given Boro the lead the hosts stepped up a gear and could have netted several more times as Stephen McManus, Lee Miller and Robson all went close to increasing the lead in the first half hour. Goal maker Franks was becoming more prominent as the half continued and he brough the best out of Lewis just before the break.[LNB] The best Jim Gannon's side could offer came at the end of the first half when Lee Fecklington was set up by George Boyd but Danny Coyne was equal to the effort.[LNB] After the break the play was largely uneventful and Boro failed to capitalise on their good start.[LNB] Franks and substitute Jeremie Aliadiere both had speculative chances to increase the Teessiders' lead but both missed the target when they should have done better.[LNB] The visitors did have home supporters on the edge of their seats in the closing stages when they forced a series of corners and had to be thankful to a last ditch stop from David Wheater to ensure the points remained on Teesside.[LNB] But overall Strachan's side probably deserved their win on the percentage of play and chances created.[LNB] Att: 18,417 Middlesbrough (4-4-2): Danny Coyne, Kyle Naughton, Stephen McManus David Wheater, Joe Bennett, Willo Flood, Josh Walker (Hoyte 60), Barry Robson, Jonathan Franks, Lee Miller (Aliadiere 55), Scott McDonald (Lita 75) Subs not used: Steele (gk), Taylor, Williams, Grounds Peterborough (4-4-2): Lewis, Charlie Lee (Reid 52), Craig Morgan, Ryan Bennett, Tom Williams (Simpson 52), Lee Frecklington, Jake Livermore, Chris Whelpdale, Tommy Rowe, George Boyd, Aaron McLean (Mackail-Smith 82)[LNB]
