Source: Northern_Echo
Boro suffer stoppage-time heartbreak on opening weekend
MIDDLESBROUGH'S Achilles heel from last season came back to haunt them as they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 2-2 with Portsmouth on the opening day of the Championship season.[LNB] Leading 2-1 thanks to goals from Marvin Emnes and Rhys Williams, Boro looked to be heading for the victory that their bright play deserved.[LNB] But after a ricochet on the edge of the area, Portsmouth midfielder Luke Varney cracked home a dramatic leveller in the 92nd minute.[LNB] Tony Mowbray included just the one summer signing in his starting line-up, loan goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, and the shot-stopper was involved as early as the 13th minute.[LNB] Dave Kitson, who spent part of last season on loan at the Riverside under Gordon Strachan, drilled in a low shot from what looked to be an offside position, but Ikeme did well to save with his legs.[LNB] Pompey goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown made a decent save of his own shortly after, grabbing Barry Robson's glanced header, but the visitors' rearguard was breached in the 24th minute.[LNB] Scott McDonald made decent ground down the left, and after receiving the Australian's pass in the area, Emnes swivelled and drilled a low shot past Ashdown's left hand.[LNB] Boro's slick passing caused Portsmouth problems throughout the first half, with McDonald shooting just past the post, Justin Hoyte driving over the crossbar and Robson failing to find the target when well placed.[LNB] However, there was a let off for the hosts on the stroke of half-time, when Hayden Mullins side-footed over from 14 yards when the goal appeared to be at his mercy.[LNB] Portsmouth were level within two minutes of the break, though, as they scored from their first meaningful attack of the second half.[LNB] Mullins pegged Boro back with some decent approach work, and after turning adroitly on the edge of the area, David Norris drilled a low strike into the bottom right-hand corner.[LNB] Pompey were only level for seven minutes though, as Boro reclaimed the lead with an excellent effort in the 54th minute.[LNB] Nicky Bailey's inch-perfect through ball caught the Pompey defence napping, and Williams steadied himself before slotting the ball home.[LNB] McDonald and Emnes both had decent opportunities to make the points safe, only for Ashdown to produce two fine saves.[LNB] As a result, there was a sting in the tail for Boro in the second minute of stoppage time. Substitute Christian Dailly's shot was blocked on the edge of the area, but the ball fell kindly for Varney to smash home.[LNB] MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Ikeme; McMahon, McManus, Bates, Hoyte; Robson, R Williams, Bailey, Bennett; Emnes (Zemmama 90), McDonald.[LNB] Subs: Hines, Smallwood, Martin, Kink.[LNB] PORTSMOUTH (4-5-1): Ashdown; Ben Haim, Rocha (Kanu 83), Halford, Hreidarsson (Williams 63); Ward, Mullins (Dailly 83), Mokoena, Norris, Varney; Kitson.[LNB] Subs: Henderson.[LNB]
