Middlesbrough 1-1 Blackpool
- Published
Ishmael Miller's equalising goal was his first of the season for Blackpool
Ishmael Miller scored against his former club to earn Blackpool only their third point of the season with a hard-fought draw at Middlesbrough.
Midway through the first half Daniel Ayala headed in the opener for the home side, who are now eighth in the league.
But Miller, who spent a season on loan at Boro two years ago, poked in the equaliser soon after.
Andrea Orlandi almost got a winner for Blackpool but his deflected shot was saved by keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos.
Blackpool remain bottom of the Championship, five points from safety, while Boro are 16 places above them on 17 points.
Match facts | |
|---|---|
Middlesbrough have lost only one of their past six games in all competitions. | Blackpool have not won any of their 11 games in all competitions this season, losing eight. |
This was their first home draw of the season, having won three and lost two of their five other games at the Riverside Stadium. | They have lost four of their six away games, drawing the other two. |
The home side had started strongly without creating too many chances, but Emmanuel Ledesma's powerful 20-yard drive saw Joe Lewis produce a fine save.
However, Lewis was beaten soon after when Ayala nodded over the Blackpool keeper after Jeffrey Rentmeister failed to clear Ledesma's header.
Blackpool boss Jose Riga will have been buoyed by his players' response to that goal, as they fashioned an equaliser six minutes later, Miller scoring from Joan Oriol's fine cross.
The visitors finished the first half strongly, going closest to taking the lead through Orlandi, but Boro regrouped for the second half and enjoyed a period of dominance.
Defender Donervon Daniels denied Patrick Bamford with a fine, sliding challenge while Lewis kept out Lee Tomlin's fierce volley as Blackpool kept the hosts at bay to secure a point.
Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka:
"I said yesterday that if we want to do something this season, these are the kinds of games where we cannot lose points.
"We made mistakes and played in a way I didn't like. But we are just three points from top.
"The performance was a surprise because we had recovered our consistency and confidence. Now we have to recover it again."
Blackpool manager Jose Riga:
"I am satisfied. I will obviously be happier when we get our first win but I am satisfied.
"We have to build on good results. We created some chances to win and this is certainly the first step.
"This (season) is the first time the players have played together; our story has started this season."
- Published27 September 2014
- Published27 September 2014
