Middlesbrough were eliminated from the FA Cup in the third round for a third consecutive season as Blackburn Rovers won 1-0 at the Riverside.

In two much-changed sides, it was a game that lacked much quality, with just three shots on target from both sides across the whole 45 minutes. It was a poor day for Boro in the grand scheme as Carrick gave opportunities to a number of fringe players - some of which were grasped and others that weren’t.

In the end, in a mad five minutes for Boro that could have easily seen them 3-0 down rather than one, Andi Weimann’s goal was enough to settle the tie. Here’s the analysis at a glance.

READ MORE: Ben Doak's Middlesbrough absence explained as Carrick expresses disappointment in cup exit

READ MORE: Middlesbrough player ratings vs Blackburn as one man grasps his opportunity in otherwise poor day

The game-changing moment

It was a game in which neither side really grasped the nettle and dominated. Boro were seeing far more of the ball in the first half but creating next to nothing. Blackburn lacked much attacking intent as they looked to stifle Boro, and in the end had the best chance in both halves.

The decisive moments came around the 70-minute mark when Andi Weimann capitalised on Matt Clarke’s error to fire Blackburn through. Moments later, George Edmundson got caught on the ball and almost gifted Harry Leonard a quickfire second.

That whole nervy, error-ridden period that proved costly for Boro ultimately started when Tom Glover made a mess of a backpass and picked it straight to Weimann as he charged it down. Glover somehow wasn’t punished in the moment, but it gave Blackburn a lift and Weimann made sure with his next chance a moment later. It was ultimately an example of exactly why Boro are looking at their goalkeeping department this month, with Mark Travers a loan option from Bournemouth being explored.

Boro's best player

In what was his third senior start for Boro, Law McCabe got the nod for out Boro man of the match - albeit it a game where there wasn’t much competition. In a bright display from the 18-year-old, he started quietly but grew into the game and got braver on the ball as it went on.

Some of his turns under pressure to get out of trouble and progress Boro forward were really impressive, while he reading of the game was good too - cutting out a number of passes or getting in aggressively to win the ball back high up. He’s still young and there’s still a lot of growing to do to, but this was a positive outing.

The positive

In what was a largely frustrating game for Boro, Alex Gilbert also got an opportunity. While it was one of those days where very little came off for Boro in attack against a Blackburn defence very well-versed in staying compact and hard to break down, Gilbert had many bright moments.

Again, it was probably clear why he’s ultimately not playing as often as he might like, but nevertheless, he proved why he’s a good backup option to Finn Azaz as he found the same kind of gaps between midfield and attack and at least tried to make something happen. He wanted to get on the ball, tried to link up with those attacking players around him, but it was ultimately in vain.

The negative

While this was of course a Boro side with seven changes, including the full four in attack, it was ultimately a familiar story for Boro in their struggles to break down low-block defences like Blackburn’s.

Twice now this season, John Eustace has brought his side to Teesside, sat with men behind the ball to be tight and disciplined and offer Boro very little space or sight of goal. From a Boro perspective, that’s when you need to ultimately step it up and do something different or special to make something happen.

As is too often the case for Boro though, they struggle to do that. Riley McGree is having a difficult time of late and is struggling to influence matters, but what was particularly concerning was that, offered a chance on the right side of the attack this time, Micah Hamilton still struggled to make an impression either.

After a difficult start to his Boro career, Michael Carrick insists he’s excited by the former Man City man and says they won’t loan him out this month as he has a part to play at Boro. But based on the evidence so far this season and again in this season, he’s struggling.

The verdict

This was a largely disappointment performance from Boro, with all too familiar failings. Having said that, some perspective is needed. It was a strong, but heavily-changed side. Seven changes to one team is almost certain to disrupt rhythm.

The flipside of that is that key players such as Hayden Hackney, Ben Doak, Finn Azaz and Emmanuel Latte Lath were rested for this game after being needed for a lot of football of late. With attention now fully focused on the league, an FA Cup run would always be nice, but is never a priority.