Source: Daily_Mail
Middlesbrough 0 Cardiff 1: Boro lack steel as Burke strikes to rock Strachan
An afternoon at the Riverside Stadium was supposed to bring some much-needed, pre-Christmas relief and cheer to hundreds of Teesside steelworkers and their families. [LNB]Chairman Steve Gibson wanted to acknowledge his disgust at the loss of 1,700 jobs at Corus's nearby plant and gave victims a venue and a platform to vent the region's anger. [LNB]The well-supported protest round the pitch out of the way, the intention then was to allow the aggrieved to sit back, relax and enjoy an afternoon of football and celebrate three points and Gordon Strachan's first home win. [LNB] [LNB] Stranded: Middlesbrough keeper Brad Jones looks on his horror after he fails to deal with Chris Burke's (not pictured) fortunate match-winner at the Riverside[LNB]But the home of Middlesbrough Football Club has become a dark and dismal place in recent months and Strachan and his team only heaped more agony on the chairman and the Teesside public as their miserable run continues and the dream of instant promotion to the Barclays Premier League slips away. [LNB]Gibson's demand for Strachan to deliver automatic promotion is fading. 'He wants promotion, that's for sure,' Strachan said. 'And it's not been on track in the last two games.' [LNB]The home side squandered chances. Mark Yeates clipped a post with one low shot and forced a fingertip save from David Marshall with a well-struck free-kick. [LNB] Home discomfort: Gordon Strachan was left angered after his sailed failed to win at home again as the Scot awaits his first win at the Riverside[LNB]Dave Kitson and Marcus Bent had a chance each but the route to goal was blocked and the lively Adam Johnson ended one powerful run with a shot which narrowly cleared the bar. [LNB]Cardiff scored their winner in the 62nd minute when Chris Burke bagged his third goal in three games. [LNB]Tussle: Cardiff's Chris Burke (left) battles with Mark Yeates of Middlesbrough at the Riverside[LNB]Burke was helped by the dithering of Boro keeper Brad Jones, who failed to read the path of the winger's free-kick. It was another sorry day for Jones. Chants in favour of Danny Coyne, who kept four clean sheets in August, will not have helped. [LNB]Delighted Cardiff boss Dave Jones said: 'I was surprised Rangers let Burke go but he had illnesses and injuries and it was the right time to move and get back to showing what he is capable of.' [LNB]Boro's spirits continued to drain after that goal. David Wheater hit the bar, and Sean St Ledger and Leroy Lita had efforts cleared off the line. Adam Johnson then hobbled off, clutching a hamstring. [LNB]Wheater also had a tough afternoon and he was almost crawling by the end, having sustained head and knee injuries. Strachan has now won five points from 21. Next up is a trip to Newcastle.[LNB] Sunderland ready to swoop for Middlesbrough's Adam JohnsonProtests planned at Middlesbrough as Strachan welcomes Cardiff to townMiddlesbrough 0 Blackpool 3: Fans turn on Strachan as Fletcher-Taylor hits two [LNB] Explore more:People:Mark Yeates, Leroy Lita, David Marshall, Adam Johnson, David Wheater, Dave Kitson, Danny Coyne, Gordon StrachanPlaces:Newcastle, CardiffOrganisations:Middlesbrough Football Club
