Middlesbrough recorded a second victory of their campaign following a narrow 2-1 win away at Bolton Wanderers at the Macron Stadium on Tuesday evening. 

bolton-wanderers-macron-stadium-outside-day
Bolton lose 2-1 to Boro at Macron Stadium

Bolton opened the scoring from a 26th minute penalty from Craig Davies, however a Grant Leadbitter penalty shortly before half time, followed by a late Kike winner earned the three points for Boro.

Team news wise and Bolton made two changes heading into the game, with Liam Feeney and Liam Trotter replacing Neil Danns and Medo Kamara respectively, Joe Mason and Craig Davies led the line up front, meanwhile Dean Moxey and Mark Davies missed the game through injury.

Boro on the other hand came into the game with no fresh injury news, and looked to bounce back from Saturday’s narrow defeat away at Leeds United.

Tomas Mejias kept his place in goal for the fixture, keeping Jason Steele out the side.

Bolton started the game relatively well, with Liam Feeney making some inspired runs down the wing.

It would be Middlesbrough who would calve out the first chance of the game, with Lee Tomlin testing Adam Bogdan with a long range effort after six minutes.

Dougie Freedman’s side came into the game more, with Jay Spearing coming close with a free kick, which sailed just over the bar after 15 minutes.

Wanderers looked to find the opening goal, but were unable to break down a resilient Boro defence, in a half of few chances.

But they had the lead in the 27th minute through a penalty, after Craig Davies was tripped in the area. Davies stepped up and smashed his right footed penalty to the left hand side of goalkeeper Mejias.

Other that, Bolton were unable to find another clear cut chance, and the front two of Mason and Davies were limited to half chances as the clock ticked down.

Albert Adomah was proving to be a live wire down the wing, as Boro were coming closer to finding an equaliser.

And they found that leveller in the 42nd minute though a penalty of their own, following a handball from Matthew Mills.

Up stepped experienced midfielder Grant Leadbitter, who slotted his penalty to the right of Bogdan to get Karanka’s men level.

The first real chance of the half came from the confident visitors, with Kike attempting a volley which went narrowly wide of the post with 54 minutes played.

Liam Feeney looked lively once again, and whipped in a teasing ball, which was punched away by Spanish stopper Mejias.

Bolton then found a chance on the hour mark, with Lee Chung Yong volleying just wide of the near post, following a corner, as the hosts pressed for a second.

Seven minutes later, Craig Davies saw his effort deflected just wide, following Jay Spearing’s through ball, with the Trotters growing in frustration as the game wore on.

It was then Middlesbrough’s time to press, with Bogdan reacting superbly to tip Adam Clayton’s long range fizzing effort over the bar, after 75 minutes played on a chilly night at the Macron.

Tomlin tested Bogdan from long range two minutes later. Boro then found the lead with 78 minutes gone, through Spanish forward Kike.

The striker got fortunate through a deflection of Mills, before prodding the ball over the advancing Bogdan before wheeling away in celebration, in what would be the goal that settled the encounter.

Bolton huffed and puffed towards the end bringing on Neil Danns and Jermaine Beckford for Liam Trotter and Craig Davies respectively, however it was all in vein as Boro go home with the points.

Karanka’s side are now eighth in the table, meanwhile Bolton slip to 22nd.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1.