Middlesbrough grab 93rd minute goal to take back a 2-1 lead over Brentford to the Riverside stadium next week.
Brentford who came into the game on the back of two wins in a row to get them into the Championship’s Play off semi-finals started the stronger team, with a lot more of the ball. But they weren’t creative enough in the final third, which cost them dearly.
The away side then started coming into the game, Ayala going close for Middlesbrough. In the 26nd minute, a free kick from Leadbitter was deflected out to Clayton on the edge of the area, which then was crossed in to find Jelle Vossen on loan from Genk unmarked in the box to head in his 9th goal of the season to make it 1-0 to Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough then had the upper hand, going close a few minutes after there first goal, as the ball was controlled by Vossen but the ball had to be cleared of the line. Vossen again going close in the final few minutes of the first half, but his shot from the edge of the area went over the bar.
Like the 1st half Brentford stared the stronger team but still never had any clear cut chances until a mistake by the Boro keeper allowed Gray to score his eighteenth goal of the season to make the score level.
Brentford had much more possession than Middlesbrough throughout the second half, but Boro’s defense showing why they have the best defensive record in the championship.
Then a pivotal point in the tie came in the 93rd minute as Leadbitter took the corner for Middlesbrough which was cleared only as far as Amorebieta on loan from Fulham who’s deflected effort found its way in to the Brentford net. A goal which was undeserved by Middlesbrough but gave Brentford a lesson to finish there chances otherwise you get punished.
The second leg of the tie at the Riverside stadium is on Friday 15th May, the winner of the overall tie will book there place at Wembley for the final of the play offs.