Hellberg’s men make it three wins in a row

Middlesborough 2-1 Stoke City

Boro extended their winning run to three after a comeback victory at the Bet 365 Stadium to keep themselves second in the Championship.

A first half goal from Tomas Rigo for Stoke was turned around by Boro with second half goals from Alan Browne and Tommy Conway earning Kim Hellberg a crucial three points.

Middlesbrough went into the game in third place, since Ipswich Town played the day before, while Coventry also won.

After a cagey start from both sides, Stoke took the lead following a mistake from Sol Brynn. Rigo’s shot from distance looked reasonably comfortable for Brynn however it went through his hands and into the net.

Stoke took the game to Boro from then on and almost doubled their lead through Million Manhoef, his shot from the edge of the box was saved brilliantly onto the bar to keep Boro in the game.

Soon after a shot from outside of the box was saved by Tommy Simkin but fell to the feet of Browne after taking a deflection of Delano Burgzorg, Browne smashed the ball into the roof of the net, to level the game.

Boro took the lead 10 minutes later, with Browne turning into a provider, his cross missed the stoke defenders in the box and found Conway at the back post, his first attempted shot was mistimed however his second beat Simkin.

Conway almost doubled his tally for the night with a powerful shot into the bottom corner, however it was well saved by the keeper.

Stoke went down to 10 men with 15 minutes to play following a late tackle on Aiden Morris by Bosun Lawal earning him a second yellow card.

With only a minute to play, Stoke almost levelled the game, a looping corner found the head of Lamine Cisse, his first attempt was well saved while his second was sliced well over the bar.

The result for Boro keeps them second, while teams around them continue to pick up three points. For Stoke it pushes them further away from the Playoff positions, with them being two points adrift of the top six.

Boro play Preston at the Riverside on Saturday at 12:30 in another promotion clash.