FROM the sublime to the shambolic. Middlesbrough have thrown away points from positions of power on countless occasions this season but never like this.

Three goals to the good at half-time after a clinical and hugely impressive first half, Boro were on course for what looked like a statement victory against an in-form Sheffield Wednesday side.

But they inexplicably self-destructed, having their three-goal lead wiped out within 15 minutes or so of the restart as well as going down to 10 men after Rav van den Berg was sent off. It was a collapse that will spark more questions about the mentality and soft underbelly of Michael Carrick’s side. As well as their defending. They’ve now conceded three goals in three of their last four games. That’s clearly not sustainable for a side bidding to win Championship promotion. At the minute Boro are quite simply too inconsistent to mount a real push. It’s one win in five and the gaps above continue to grow.

And the fact that is so frustrating is because Boro have shown how good they can be, as was the case in the first 45 minutes on Boxing Day. Finn Azaz starred with two goals and an assist, taking his goal involvement tally to 17 for the season, as Boro raced into a three-goal lead. Across the pitch, Boro were excellent. Ben Doak terrified Wednesday and Hayden Hackney and Dan Barlaser bossed the midfield.

But the swagger disappeared after the break and as well as throwing away two more points, Boro are now sweating on the fitness of Tommy Conway and Sol Brynn, who were both forced off injured.

Conway didn't last 10 minutes but had a hand in the opener after five. He was set away by Hackney and after his route to goal was blocked, played it back to Azaz, who crossed for Doak to nod in.

Conway's injury is a worrying development given the situation with Emmanuel Latte Lath, the striker who replaced him, ahead of the January transfer window.

Boro were in complete control inside quarter of an hour after Azaz turned from provider to scorer and doubled the home side’s lead. Wednesday inexplicably left the forward unmarked on the edge of the area and after he received Neto Borges’ pass he calmly found the bottom left corner.

After scoring the first, Doak made the third. He charged at the terrified Wednesday defence and got his cross away, and after Hackney’s initial effort was blocked Azaz was on hand to scoop home from close range.

For all Wednesday were second best throughout the first half, they did have their moments. Josh Windass missed a sitter just after Boro’s third when he headed wide from close range. And Barry Bannan and the returning Marvin Johnson weren’t far away with efforts from distance.

The away dressing room was likely absent of half-time pleasantries and Danny Rohl made two changes at the break. Whatever was said and those alterations made an impact, for the Owls had given themselves a glimmer of hope within two minutes of the restart when substitute Svante Ingelsson met Shea Charles’ cross from the right.

It gave Wednesday hope but Boro should still have had the nous to take sting out of the game. Instead, they panicked. Or at least that’s how it looked. Ingelsson was firmer in the tackle than Hackney to win possession in the Boro box and Windass bundled home Wednesday’s second.

Carrick was stressing calm on the sidelines but on the pitch it was chaos. Van den Berg got his second yellow card and was off, Brynn got injured and had to be replaced and Yan Valery levelled with a header from a corner.

At that stage, a Wednesday winner looked inevitable and Boro at least limited the damage and held on to the point. But that’s not something that should be celebrated when you’re 3-0 up at half-time.