Source: Northern_Echo
Peterborough United 2 Middlesbrough 2
Peterborough United 2 Middlesbrough 2[LNB] SHAUN BATT could have been on the road to the London Olympics as a triple jumper. Instead he emerged from the bench at London Road to deliver a strike that leaves Middlesbrough trailing further behind in the race to leap into the Premier League.[LNB] It wasn't supposed to be like this. When Gordon Strachan was asked to come in and lead the charge back to the topflight at the expense of Gareth Southgate, few expected him to be winless from his first four matches.[LNB] He may have followed up two defeats with back-to-back draws, but it's wins Middlesbrough need. The home win over Derby in October was their last.[LNB] Posh, under new management themselves following the departure of Darren Ferguson, prop up the Championship table, and now Middlesbrough head into a run of fixtures before Christmas that is likely to determine how likely they are to become automatic promotion contenders again.[LNB] At this stage that would seem unlikely. Eleven points adrift of second-placed West Brom, 13 shy of leaders Newcastle and already a play-off place is looking a more realistic prospect. But even then there are growing doubts.[LNB] Given there are still 84 points to play for in the 28 remaining matches, there is clearly still time for the gap to be closed on the top two.[LNB] Strachan knows the improvements his side showed on Saturday, most notably in front of goal, offer encouragement, even if he remains disappointed with a return of just two points from a possible 12 since taking over.[LNB] It's very frustrating, said the Boro boss. I don't think I will be the first manager in the history of football to be frustrated. We had more than enough chances to win the game, but there was far more right with our performance than wrong.[LNB] When Dave Kitson instinctively powered the opening goal beyond goalkeeper Joe Lewis, who had initially denied Julio Arca after a sharp pass from Mark Yeates, Middlesbrough looked like being comfortable winners.[LNB] They had successfully dealt with the early aerial bombardment from the incredible throwing prowess of defender Exodus Geohaghon, who followed manager Mark Cooper from Kettering.[LNB] Brad Jones had only had one real save to make from George Boyd, but the attacking midfielder was the man smiling nine minutes after half-time. Boyd, afforded too much space by Tony McMahon, took a touch to bring down Scott Griffiths' centre, before his second was a sweet low drive inside Jones' far post.[LNB] Peterborough's delight did not last long, with Adam Johnson's sudden flash of brilliance taking him beyond Gabriel Zakuani, allowing the winger to deliver the perfect delivery for Kitson to arrive and nod in his 100th career goal.[LNB] Again Middlesbrough looked destined to win. Neither team had created any chances until Boyd beat McMahon in the air and Batt, who was the leading triple jumper in England at Under- 17s before opting to play nonleague football, turned and struck a stunning right-foot volley that dipped over Jones from 25 yards.[LNB] We just have to work on that aspect of the game as well as our awareness in moments of danger. But we could quite easily have won three of the four games I've been in charge for, said Strachan.[LNB] The manager was then left stunned when referee David Phillips failed to award a penalty when Sean St Ledger was tripped by Aaron McLean nine minutes before the end.[LNB] The football gods were against us, he said. It's not worthwhile talking about the penalty, there can't be a debate for anything like that.[LNB] I'm not blaming the referee, I'm saying we should have taken the chances we had, we should have won.[LNB] Had Middlesbrough been awarded and converted that penalty it would have capped St Ledger's day. Instead, he was left to reflect on an afternoon when a decade's service for Peterborough was remembered by non-stop heckling from the London Road fans.[LNB] Every time I went for a corner I was called some unpleasant things, said St Ledger, whose publicised runins with former Peterborough boss Steve Bleasdale on Sky documentary Ron Manager damaged his relationship with the club's supporters.[LNB] I was here ten years and when my transfer goes through from Preston they will get a large chunk of it.[LNB] They are in this position because of the Big Ron programme.[LNB] Once one fan boos they all jump on the bandwagon.[LNB] Without a doubt it was because of that programme.[LNB] That's life. Some fans are idiots, you just get on with it.[LNB] Match facts Goals:[LNB] 0-1: Kitson (28, reacted instinctively after Lewis had denied Arca)[LNB] 1-1: Boyd (54, struck low beyond Jones after being picked out unmarked by Griffiths)[LNB] 1-2: Kitson (58, headed a terrific Johnson cross beyond Lewis)[LNB] 2-2: Batt (76, turned and volleyed high beyond Jones from 20 yards)[LNB] Bookings: Kitson (41, foul);[LNB] McLean (61, dissent); Batt (77, dissent)[LNB] Referee: David Phillips (Chichester) missed an absolute blatant penalty late on, but he can't be blamed for this result 4[LNB] Attendance: 10,772[LNB] Entertainment: [LNB] PETERBOROUGH UNITED (4-4-2):[LNB] Lewis 7; Zakuani 5 (Lee 60, 5), Geohaghon 6, Bennett 6, Griffiths 6; Rowe 5 (Batt 67, 6), Diagouraga 5, FRECKLINGTON 7, Boyd 7; McLean 6, Mackail-Smith 5.[LNB] Subs (not used): Coutts, Keates, McKeown, Green, Simpson[LNB] MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2):[LNB] 6 Jones: Only one real save to make, which arrived early in the first half;[LNB] 5 McMahon: Caught out of position for Boyd's leveller[LNB] 7 St Ledger: Understandably annoyed when he did not win a late penalty[LNB] 7 Wheater: A return to form and won numerous headers[LNB] 6 Pogatetz: The masked man turned in another inspiring display;[LNB] 5 Yeates: His late move forward led to Kitson's first goal for the club[LNB] 6 Osbourne: Bright start but faded after the restart[LNB] 7 ARCA: Looked the part in the middle with numerous telling passes[LNB] 6 Johnson: Quiet by his standards, but cross for Kitson was top quality;[LNB] 7 Kitson: His 100th career goal should have won the game[LNB] 6 Lita: Some good work outside the box but could have done with a goal.[LNB] Subs[LNB] Hoyte (for Yeates 75) (not used): Taylor, Riggott, Digard, Emnes, Bent, Coyne[LNB] MAN OF THE MATCH[LNB] JULIO Arca - looks to be enjoying his football again under Strachan.[LNB]
