REALIST Tony Mowbray admitted his side’s smash-and-grab 1-0 win over Hull was far from a seasonal sizzler for the Riverside’s biggest crowd since relegation from the Premier League.
However, the Boro boss believes the plundered points and the timely boost for the Teessiders’ tilt at a top-flight return more than makes up for the close call for the 27,794 crowd.
Boro stole the points as Barry Robson rifled home a 30-yard screamer three minutes for time in a tight summit showdown which Hull had edged on clear-cut chances.
It was Boro’s fourth win on the bounce and briefly nudged the Teessiders into an automatic promotion spot before West Ham clawed back in front on goal difference with a 1-1 draw at Birmingham in the evening kick-off, the Blues levelling in the last ten minutes thanks to Boro old boy David Murphy’s close-range header.
Mowbray said: “It was a tough game and we had to battle just to stay in it for long spells.
“Hull are a good team in good form and they create a lot of chances and so yes we set up to stifle them rather than take the game to them.
“I understand for some of the supporters that may seem a bit cautious and they may not be happy about approaching it like that, but the bottom line is to win games line these you have to nullify their strengths first.
“We did that. I thought then we won the game with a moment of real quality.
“Although the game maybe was not exciting in terms of goals and chances I hope the people who came are excited by the result and by the league table and went home happy with three points.”
Boro have now beaten the third-placed form team Cardiff 3-2 away and then fourth placed Hull, who arrived after four wins on the bounce.
That leaves them well placed to mount a New Year promotion push, but Mowbray played down the mounting expectations on Teesside.
He added: It was a massive result for us. In fact, with Hull and Cardiff it has been two massive results and six important points.
“We have come through games against teams in third, fourth and, fifth place whatever and had a fantastic return.
“However, there is no complacency. We know the next game against Peterborough will be just as tough and if we are not at our best we can lose.
“That is the nature of this division. Every game is very close and you have to be focused and have the right work ethic every time you play. There are a lot of draws in the Championship, a lot of upset and almost evry game comes down to fine margins, as it did against Hull.”
Had it not been for Robson’s rocket – the midfielder’s seventh goal this season -the post-match debate would have been about the penalties which never were.
Boro had a strong first-half spot-kick shout dismissed after a Nicky Bailey ball into a crowded box was clearly handled by Andy Dawson.
Then, straight down the other end, Hull had a contentious call waved away after Matty Fryatt was brought down by Boro skipper Matthew Bates.
Hull caretaker boss Nick Barmby, a former Boro player, said: “It was a cast-iron penalty.
“The referee said he thought it was just a coming together but it was one which brought our man down.”
MIDDLESBROUGH: Steele; Hoyte, R Williams, Bates, Bennett, Robson, Bailey, Arca (Zemmama 72), Haroun, McDonald, Ogbeche (Thomson 72). Subs (not used): McManus, Martin, McMahon.
Booked: McDonald.
Goal: Robson 87.
HULL CITY: Gulacsi; Rosenior, Hobbs, Chester, Dawson, McKenna, Evans, Stewart (Brady 69), Koren, Fryatt, Mclean (Garcia 79). Subs (not used): Basso, McShane, Dudgeon.
Booked: Dawson, Evans, Rosenior.
Attendance: 27, 794.
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).
