One step forward, one back. After the midweek win over West Brom and the delight of a transfer spree at the end of the week, Boro were brought back to earth with a bump as their miserable recent run at Preston continued.

Boro looked well set to kick on after Delano Burgzorg had struck in the second half to cancel out Stefan Thordarson's 28th minute opener.

But, as has been the case on far too many occasions this season, Boro somehow found a way to lose, conceding a shambolic late goal to substitute Emil Riis that left Michael Carrick furious. But Boro only have themselves to blame.

LATTE LATH INJURY

As if there wasn’t already enough uncertainty surrounding the future of Emmanuel Latte Lath, the striker’s situation potentially took another twist on Saturday when he hobbled off injured after just 10 minutes.

The striker appeared to instantly realise there was a problem. After trying to race to reach an overhead through-ball, he pulled up clutching the top of his leg. After treatment, he tried to continue but within seconds had hit the deck again. And he then trudged off down the tunnel after being replaced by Marcus Forss.

So now what? At this stage, it’s too early to say. Latte Lath will be assessed and monitored in the coming days. By the time Boro next take to the pitch, we’ll be in the final hours of the January transfer window. What will the picture look like then for Latte Lath and Boro?

FIRST HALF FRUSTRATIONS

Boro looked bright and sharp early on, even after Latte Lath’s withdrawal, but they failed to take advantage when on top, conceded a soft goal and then couldn’t break down an organised back-line. Sound familiar?

The goal was avoidable, as has too often been the case this season. There wasn’t a red shirt in sight when Stefan Thordarson picked up the loose ball on the left and he was allowed to coast towards the box unopposed before cutting back on to his right foot and finding the far corner.

Boro had created a couple of chances before the goal, the best of which fell to Burgzorg when he was denied by Freddie Woodman before a Hayden Hackney rebound well blocked by a home defender. But after falling behind, Boro struggled for answers before the break. They were sloppy in possession and lacked ideas, invention and movement in attack.

At one stage, Aidan Morris picked up the ball in the middle of his own half and the game almost came to a standstill as he stood looking for some sort of an option in front.

Boro desperately needed a spark. And they got one...

FORWARD CLASS

As West Brom discovered in midweek, switch off for a split second against Ben Doak and you’ll be punished. Not that Preston will have sensed much danger when the ball headed in the direction of Doak, who had his back to goal and was still midway inside the Preston half.

But the winger played a brilliant instinctive first time pass to set away Burgzorg, who oozed class and composure as he rounded Preston’s defenders and goalkeeper Woodman before slotting home.

And in an instant, the game was transformed. Doak forced a brilliant save out of Woodman then revved up the 5,000 away fans. Forss’ instinctive flick was brilliantly kept out at the front post. But, as has too often been the case this season, they again didn't take advantage when on top.

GILES

The Boro away end was packed 10 minutes before kick-off when the Preston PA announcer started reading out the teams. And the biggest cheer from the travelling Teessiders was reserved not for a starter but a substitute: Ryan Giles.

Whether or not he was always going to be introduced from the bench only Michael Carrick will know, but he got the nod with just over quarter of an hour to play after Neto Borges was hurt making a brave block to stop a fiercely hit Preston shot.

Giles has been the subject of light-hearted taunts from the Boro fans when he's been on the opposition side this season and last but he'll have felt the love when he was introduced to a roar. And you can imagine what was going through his mind when he lined up an effort from distance shortly after coming on, his low drive flashing wide.

Giles was the only one of Boro's new recruits involved, with George Edmundson and Morgan Whittaker not signed in time to feature. Edmundson was in the stands at Deepdale and Whittaker will link up with his new teammates early next week.

BORO THROW AWAY MORE POINTS

It was Preston substitute Emil Riis, rather than Giles, who came up with the late winner, aided by a clash of heads and a helping hand.

Rav van den Berg and Luke Ayling clashed but Morris then played the ball back to Ayling, who clearly wasn't expecting it and, instead of clearing to safety, tried to round Riis and lost possession to the striker, who slammed home.

Carrick was furious and made his feelings known to the fourth official, Boro's boss clearly of the belief the game should have been stopped. But Boro only had themselves to blame. Morris shouldn't have played Ayling into trouble and the right-back shouldn't then be taking any chances. At the end of a hugely productive week off the pitch was a reminder - not that one was needed - of the issues that need fixing on it. It's now more than two months since Boro won successive games.