Source: Northern_Echo
Posh and referee leave Strachan's Boro frustrated
MIDDLESBROUGH were left furious at London Road this afternoon when referee David Phillips should have given them a third opportunity to claim a first win under Gordon Strachan.[LNB] Having gone in front on two occasions through on loan striker Dave Kitson, Peterborough pulled themselves level twice through George Boyd and Shaun Batt.[LNB] There should, however, have been a further chance for Middlesbrough to seal the first three points of the Strachan era, but the match official, Phillips, turned a blind eye.[LNB] Moments after Batt had struck an unstoppable 76th minute leveller with a stunning volley on the turn, Boro responded by heading down the other end in search of another.[LNB] But when it looked certain they would be awarded a penalty when Aaron McLean appeared to bring down Sean St Ledger in the area, Phillips waved play on, much to Boro's frustration.[LNB] A failure to hold on to their one goal lead which they held twice - means that Middlesbrough have lost further ground on the Championship's top two, with Newcastle and West Brom both winning.[LNB] Now Middlesbrough, despite Kitson's double, are 13 points adrift of their North-East rivals and 11 behind the second placed Baggies.[LNB] PETERBOROUGH (4-4-2): Lewis; Zakuani (Lee 60, 5), Geohaghon, Bennett, Griffiths; Rowe (Batt (67, 5), Diagouraga, Frecklington, Boyd; McLean, Mackail-Smith. Subs: Coutts, Keates, McKeown, Green, Simpson.[LNB] MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Jones; McMahon, St Ledger, Wheater, Pogatetz; Yeates (Hoyte 75), Osbourne, Arca, Johnson; Kitson, Lita. Subs (not used): Taylor, Riggott, Digard, Emnes, Bent, Coyne.[LNB]
