MIDDLESBROUGH overcame a scare in a Carabao Cup thriller with Shrewsbury to seal a first home win since Boxing Day.
Neil Warnock’s Championship side were pushed all the way by their plucky League One opponents before edging it 4-3 to reach round two.
Ashley Fletcher helped fire Middlesbrough to a first home win since Boxing Day against ShrewsburyCredit: PA:Press Association
Scott High stunned Boro by firing the visitors ahead with a 25-yard piledriverCredit: PA:Press Association
And the veteran boss, who saved them from relegation last season, was delighted to end their miserable Riverside run.
Warnock said: “I wanted the lads to score more goals but I don’t know about conceding like that.
“We have to score more goals. I hate being the lowest scorers.
“It’s nice to get a win at last at home and let’s take it forward.
“It’s great to score four but disappointing to concede like we did.”
Boro were stunned after a strong start on 13 minutes when 19-year-old Scott High unleashed a piledriver into the top corner from long-range.
But any hopes of holding on to their lead ended quickly thanks to a howler from Town goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne.
Marvin Johnson’s shot from Lewis Wing’s cross looked to be a routine save for the stopper, but he somehow allowed it to squirm over the line at his near post.
And just after the half hour mark they were trailing as Boro’s scorer turned provided for Ashley Fletcher to rifle home.
Burgoyne was to suffer the wrath of his team-mates again moments after the break when his clearance from wide on the right fell straight to Wing.
Neil Warnock was delighted to end Boro’s long home winless runCredit: PA:Press Association
The midfielder struck it from 30 yards past the scrambling goalie only for his effort to rebound off the post, but Fletcher reacted quickest for his second.
Jason Cummings pulled one back for the Shrews with a great left-footed finish after collecting the ball at the back post from a corner.
Marcus Tavernier’s deflected strike from 18 yards appeared to have ended their hopes of a comeback.
But Pyke finished off a well-worked move to set-up a tense final 15.
Sub striker Daniel Udoh was thrown on and almost made himself the hero late on only to be denied by ‘keeper Dejan Stojanovic.
After guiding the Teessiders to safety last term, Warnock is now looking ahead to Friday’s league opener at Watford.
But he warned his men they will be embarrassed unless they improve.
The experienced veteran added: “It will be different at Watford next week and we will have to defend a lot better than that.
“If we play like that they will get double figures.”
Marvin Johnson quickly levelled for Boro in the Carabao Cup clashCredit: PA:Press Association
Fletcher grabbed a second during the second halfCredit: Alamy Live News
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
