Boro recorded a vital victory against fellow strugglers Woolpack and are now a point from the champions league places. Boro were 3 goals clear going into injury time but made life difficult as usual by conceding two late goals to set up a tense finale. Boro started without the usual centre-back pairing of Ian Rugg and Ben Illingworth so Ben Baker and Ryan Butt began the game at the heart of the defence. Butt lasted 10 minutes before swapping with Adam Chandler as Boro played some wonderful football for the opening 35 minutes carving Woolpack open at will without scoring as Phil Bull and Ross Deegan were both guilty of missing the target with some half chances. Pack responded well and finished the half the stronger without creating a clear cut opportunity thanks to some superb defending from the likes of Tony Nathan and Dave Rugg.
The second period saw Pack come out stronger but as the half wore on Boro turned the screw with some more flowing football as Deegan forced a superb stop from the Keeper at his near post. Then with 25 minutes remaining the game came alive as James Andy went on a weaving run in the box and as desperate tackles flew in from all angles the final challenge gave the referee no alternative but to point to the spot. After a slight delay Andy stepped up and hit his kick with power down the middle but the ball bounced back of the crossbar and Woolpack scrambled the ball clear. It was only a temporary reprieve for the visitors as Butt made a surging run down the left and after beating 2 players cut the ball back for Deegan whom stormed in to smash the ball goalwards and hit the Pack defender on the head. With the goalkeeper close behind going up to save the referee interpreted it as a handball by the defender and pointed to the spot again. A harsh decision but Andy stepped up to stroke home and make amends for the previous miss. A deserved lead for Boro who rode a small storm for 10 minutes then two superb headed flicks by Butt and Andy set Deegan clear and he rounded the goalkeeper to make it two. Boro were passing the ball around with ease now and Phil Bull latched on to James Andy’s through ball and with the keeper advancing the ball was lifted over him from 20 yards and drop into the vacant net.
Deegan uncharacteristically fluffed a one-on-one from 7 yards as the score line threatened to increase but then a decent team move from the visitors resulted in the dangerous forward tucking a consolation past Humphries. There was still time for more though as injury-time became the 2nd leg and a superb strike from 25 yards gave Humphries little chance. Boro saw out until the 98th minute for a deserved victory whilst playing some great stuff reminiscent of the cup win against M.Tennis last week.
