Boro stun Foxes

Boro players celebrate a much-needed victory

Leicester 1-2 Middlesbrough

Jonathan Greening's late strike snatched three points for Middlesbrough in a dramatic finale at Filbert Street.

Matthew Jones' first senior goal of his career looked to have defeated Middlesbrough and eased the pressure on Leicester boss Peter Taylor.

But in the final six minutes of the match Paul Ince's equaliser gave Boro hope then Greening turned manager Steve McClaren's despair to joy.

I thought time was running out - but two late goals like that make the win sweeter

Steve McClaren

A win would have lifted the Foxes out of the Premiership's bottom five.

Instead it is Middlesbrough who move up the table and Taylor must now be wondering if he will be given time to match the achievement.

It proved a night of mixed fortunes for Jones who was withdrawn at half-time, needing six stitches in a head wound sustained after a tangle with Paul Ince.

But, initially it was Boro who were feeling the greatest frustration after dominating possession, yet failing to convert the advantage into goals.

Both sides were desperate for victory after beginning the season poorly.

Middlesbrough will welcome the three points

Leicester were showing a greater desire to secure the points and their busy style was stifling Boro's attacking intentions.

Although Dean Windass and Jonathan Greening managed early efforts on goal, creativity was lacking on both sides and there were few goalscoring chances.

It was inevitable that when the goal did come, it was not fashioned by a slick move.

Instead, a speculative 30 yard shot by Callum Davidson was spilled by Mark Schwarzer and Jones was quickest to react to the rebound and poked the ball in to the net.

The remainder of the half was played out scrappily in a congested midfield.

The introduction of Carlos Marinelli for Windass on the interval gave Boro greater potency in attack.

And within a minute Marinelli had tested Walker with a well-struck free-kick.

I am confident the squad is good enough but until we perform on a consistent basis we will struggle

Peter Taylor

Then Greening spurned a good chance when he floated a free header into the arms of the Leicester keeper.

But if McClaren's side were going to arrest their run of away defeats, a greater sense of urgency was required, as well as some more incisive approach play.

Rather, it was Leicester who looked the more likely to score.

Akinbiyi threatened on the counter attack but could not deliver the finish the slick build up deserved.

Brian Deane went close for the visitors, but his well struck shot in the second half came back off the foot of the right hand upright.

On 85 minutes Ince took advantage of a lucky bobble in the penalty area and volleyed into the top corner to set up an amazing finish.

Boro's comeback was complete when Greening struck his first goal for the club and secure a victory that had looked unlikely for much of the match.

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Leicester: Walker, Marshall, Elliott, Davidson, Sinclair, Savage, Wise, Jones, Stewart, Akinbiyi, Sturridge. Subs: Royce, Heath, Impey, Oakes, Benjamin.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Fleming, Southgate, Ehiogu, Cooper, Mustoe, Ince, Greening, Johnston, Deane, Windass. Subs: Crossley, Gavin, Wilson, Marinelli, Nemeth.

Referee: N Barry