Middlesbrough had to come from behind three times to earn a draw against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.

A second consecutive 3-3 draw in this fixture, Jonny Howson, Hayden Hackney and Emmanuel Latte Lath scored the goals for Boro after falling behind on three occasions to goals from Lewis Gibson, Darko Gyabi and Mustapha Bundu.

It was a day in which Boro showed plenty of grit and determination to ensure they returned from their longest trip of the season with a point. But it was only a point because of their poor day from a defensive viewpoint. Here’s how the Boro players rated.

Sol Brynn - 6

Beaten by three goals that he could do little about as he was offered little protection from the defence in front of him. Made one huge save on the stroke of half-time though.

Anfernee Dijksteel - 5

Left exposed far too often in the game, two of Plymouth’s three goals came from Boro’s right, though it was the opposite flank where the home side were a bigger threat.

Rav van den Berg - 6

The best of Boro defenders with a couple of important blocks on a difficult afternoon. Boro didn’t particularly defend their box very well, but Van den Berg did at least grab an assist for Boro’s third equaliser.

George Edmundson - 4

A clumsy afternoon was summed up by his moment of madness at the end of the first half where he attempted to head a ball at his feet, gifting Plymouth a huge chance. It culminated in his slip on the retreat which let the hosts in for their second goal

Neto Borges - 4

Left badly exposed down Boro’s left. Though only one Plymouth goal came from this side, it was an area that Wayne Rooney’s side targeted again and again. In Borges’ defence, he was left, like Dijksteel, two-on-one for much of the game.

Jonny Howson - 6

Boro struggled for their usual midfield control in the game as they were smothered in the midfield and struggled to work it through the lines with their usual flow. To Howson’s credit, he stuck to task and did as much as he could to help Boro get something from the game, including the first equaliser.

Hayden Hackney - 5

Scored Boro’s second but it was a small reprieve for an otherwise poor afternoon. Boro’s inability to keep the ball came from a sloppiness in possession that he was particularly guilty of in the first half. He missed a great opportunity to put Boro ahead before the goal he did score as well.

Ben Doak - 5

He was the architect of Boro’s first equaliser and Boro’s main attacking threat throughout. However, his defensive work to support Dijksteel left a lot to be desired, while his lack of killer instinct when put through on goal at 1-1 is a huge area for improvement for the Liverpool loanee. He opted to pass instead of just finishing himself.

Finn Azaz - 5

Rooney said ahead of the game that his side had to find a way to nullify Azaz and that’s largely exactly what they did. Something Azaz might have to get used to, he was man-marked in this one and couldn’t find the pockets of space to have his usual influence.

Riley McGree - 4

Offered next to nothing in attack while leaving Borges completely exposed at the back. Bali Mumba was allowed to get forward and cause problems all afternoon and Boro didn’t ever seem to wise up to it.

Tommy Conway - 5

Worked his socks off up top but was starved of much service. It meant he tried alternative means to make things happen for himself and his peel off down the left before teeing up Hackney for a chance that should have been buried was a bright moment. He was unlucky in the first half to be denied a super goal by the offside flag.

Substitutions

Dan Barlaser (For Howson, 75’) - 6 - Played his part in Boro twice coming from behind, coming on immediately after Plymouth went 2-1 up. More aggressive than Howson and Hackney in the higher press.

Delano Burgzorg (For McGree, 75’) - 7 - Instant impact from the bench as he picked up the ball in a congested area and picked the pass to get Hackney in behind.

Emmanuel Latte Lath (For Conway, 75’) - 7 - Was a threat late on from the bench with his pressing and hassling out of possession before firing home Boro’s third equaliser at the back post. Unlucky not to grab a winner too.

Dael Fry (For Edmundson, 79’) - N/A

Alex Gilbert (For Azaz, 84’) - N/A