Preston North End 2-3 Middlesbrough
- Published
Boro's Spanish centre-back Daniel Ayala netted his first two goals of the season
Tony Pulis secured his first win as Middlesbrough manager as they ended Preston's nine-match unbeaten run.
Daniel Ayala's header put Boro ahead, but Preston levelled immediately through Callum Robinson.
Jordan Hugill's header made it 2-1 to the Lilywhites before the break and Tom Barkhuizen then hit the bar.
The visitors equalised through Jonny Howson's curling effort and Ayala crowned the comeback when he nodded in his second goal at the back post.
Welshman Pulis had seen his new side suffer a 1-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa in his first game in charge on Saturday, and the former West Brom and Stoke boss had goalkeeper Darren Randolph to thank for keeping Boro in the game.
The Republic of Ireland international saved well from Hugill and Robinson in the first period, while the visitors were relieved to see Barkhuizen's header clip the bar on the brink of half-time.
The Teessiders leapfrog Preston in the table and move up to eighth, two points off the play-off places.
Alex Neil's Lilywhites, meanwhile, suffered their fist defeat since losing to Ipswich on 4 November and are now winless in 12 league encounters with Middlesbrough stretching back to 1972.
Preston boss Alex Neil:
"I don't even think a draw would have been a fair result, I thought we deserved to win. I have a mixture of emotions because it's so difficult to be disappointed with my players.
"The simple fact is, at this level, the difference can be clearing your lines and taking your chances when they come along.
"The biggest frustration is the kind of goals that we've lost. We didn't really do well enough at certain times in the game."
Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis:
"I was pleased to come in 2-1 down at half-time. I thought Preston were really very good first half, and we sat off them and allowed them to play.
"We showed a lot of character second half which was very encouraging.
"I don't know the players that well so it will take me a while to know what I have got and what I haven't got.
"I will be doing my best to get this club back into the Premier League as soon as possible."