Middlesbrough Avoid Defeat But Play-Off Hopes Take A Hit
Middlesbrough made it nine games without defeat in the EFL Championship, but failure to beat title hopefuls Ipswich Town means Michael Carrick’s side are unlikely to now make it into the end-of-season play-offs.
Ipswich went into the game knowing they could go three points clear at the top with a win after Leicester were beaten the previous evening, and could have gone ahead when Conor Chaplin fired over from close range after a corner in the early stages.
However, it was ‘Boro who instead hit the front when Luke Ayling sent over a pin-point cross from the right hand side that was nodded in by Emmanuel Latte Lath as he maintained his recent hot streak in front of goal with a fifth strike in as many games.
That goal shocked the home fans into silence but ten minutes later, Ipswich were level, with a corner finding the onrushing Massimo Luongo who smashed a shot in off the bar – with Seny Dieng in the ‘Boro goal having no chance.
Ipswich then hit the post when Jeremy Sarmiento managed to slide the ball past Dieng, whilst the second half started with Omari Hutchison going close when he broke into the Middlesbrough box only to see his effort deflect over the bar.
Dieng then made a smart save to keep Hutchison out as the visitors looked to hold on before a break up the other end almost saw the visitors go back in front.
Latte Lath won the ball on the left and when it was then played to Isiah Jones, Vaclav Hladky had to be at his best to prevent the ‘Boro man from scoring a second goal.
Moments later, Hladky produced an even better stop to keep a header from Matt Clarke out as the points were shared.
Next up for ‘Boro is a home game against another promotion hopeful in the shape of Leeds United on 22 April, with a gap of eight points to the play-off positions but only nine still left to play for.
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