Middlesbrough player ratings vs Preston North End as two marked 7/10 in Championship defeat
Middlesbrough dropped to sixth in the Championship after slipping to a 2-1 defeat away at Preston North End.
Despite bright starts at the beginning of the first and second half, Michael Carrick's team were made to pay for failing to capitalise on their chances, as well as one key mistake.
Delano Burgzorg cancelled out Stefan Thorsdarson's opener, but a calamity in defence allowed Emil Riis to earn Preston the points. Boro remain in the play-offs places - with a two-point cushion - but they still leave Deepdale bitterly disappointed and here's how their players rated in that 2-1 defeat;
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Tom Glover - 5
Had no chance with the opener. Besides that, barely any saves to make. Commanded his area well from corners, including an important touch to deny Hughes at the back post.
Luke Ayling - 4
Caught out of position for Preston opener as Thordarson cut inside and beat Glover with a curling effort. Passed straight to Riis for the winner.
Rav van den Berg - 5
Was largely steady throughout the contest, but a moment of defensive madness allowed Preston to restore the lead.
Dael Fry - 6
Had been a calm head during moments of madness and made a key interception to thwart a Preston counter. Played a superb pass to Doak in the first-half.
Neto Borges - 5
A lot of the play down the Boro right in the first half. Some more action in the second and offered some threat down from deep. Subbed.
Aidan Morris - 4
Struggled at times in the first half being intercepted a handful of times. Much better in the second half, driving forward from midfield. Poor pass led to Preston winner.
Hayden Hackney - 5
Tried his luck, but has found it difficult against Preston midfield. Wasn't too influential after the restart.
Ben Doak - 7
Was a genuine bright spark down the right, good deliveries into dangerous areas on occasions but no one there. Slid Burgzorg through for the equaliser, the Dutchman did the rest.
Finn Azaz - 5
Looked a threat in stages, but wasn't overly involved. Struggled in the midfield battle. Subbed.
Delano Burgzorg - 7
A threat going forward, across the Preston back-line, forced Freddie Woodman into a good save in the first half and scored a superb leveller.
Emmanuel Latte Lath - N/A
Potentially his last match in a Boro shirt comes to a premature end. The Ivorian was in behind - after a defensive lapse - but seemingly injured himself in the action.
From the bench;
Marcus Forss (on for Emmanuel Latte Lath, ‘11) - 5
Barely troubled the backline first half, with just nine touches since coming on, and two successful passes. Much better display in the second, improvised well to test Woodman.
Ryan Giles (on for Neto Borges, ‘74) - 5
Offered spark when he came on, but Boro soon under the cosh following his introduction.
Alex Gilbert (on for Finn Azaz, ‘81) - N/A
