Middlesbrough 2, Barnsley 1

Feb 10 2010 The Journal

MIDDLESBROUGH made light of their poor home form as they registered a victory over fellow play-off hopefuls Barnsley at the Riverside Stadium.

Only struggling Reading had won fewer home games than Gordon Strachan’s side ahead of this Coca-Cola Championship fixture. But a wonderful first-half display, capped by goals from Chris Killen and Gary O’Neil, set the Teessiders on their way to three points and ensured they leapfrogged their opponents in the table.

Barnsley improved significantly after the interval and reduced their deficit through Hugo Colace’s 65th-minute strike.

But Boro held on to record only their second home win since Strachan replaced Gareth Southgate at the helm in October.

Former Celtic striker Scott McDonald made his first appearance for Boro, with fellow deadline-day signing Lee Miller dropping to the bench, while Emanuel Pogatetz replaced the injured David Wheater in one of three other changes from Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Ipswich.

The visitors were the first to threaten, with Filipe Teixeira flicking a volley wide from Emil Hallfredsson’s cross.

However, Boro soon got into their stride and McDonald saw a powerful angled drive superbly saved by Luke Steele in the eighth minute, the Barnsley goalkeeper sticking out his right boot to deflect the ball to safety.

The Teessiders went close again 10 minutes later. Killen was sent clear through on goal, but after lobbing the ball over Steele the forward saw his goal-bound shot cleared off the line by Trippier.

Middlesbrough were eventually rewarded for their pressure in the 24th minute, Killen prodding home from close range after O’Neil’s corner had been flicked on at the near post.