Boro level! Bolton's defence parts and McNair picks out an excellent ball in behind for Crooks. His first touch knocks it ahead and on the bounce, inviting Coleman off his line, but from the edge of the area, Crooks provides an excellent chipped finish to level the scoring.
Crooks - Boro's natural goalscorer (*Cough cough*). An equaliser!
With a little help from Paddy, according to the Beeb. 😉
You mean Matt "Boro's top scorer in 2021-22" Crooks who scored 7 more goals than £38.5m striker Folarin Balogun!
https://amp.sportsmole.co.uk/football/middlesbrough/2021-22/top-scorers.html
Boro waste an opportunity on the break
Crooks makes an excellent break as Bolton's defence opens again and Jones picks out a lovely pass to play him in. Not quite as advanced as the goal, Crooks doesn't feel he can go all the way alone as he drives towards the box so he tries to play a ball across the penalty area to Forss at the back post but it's a little too ahead, allowing Coleman to dive down and gather it.
That's the one, my spelling, it is what it is
Hackney chance!
Boro's best move of the half so close to resulting in them taking the lead. On the right they work it well and Barlaser plays Forss down the right. He then pulls it back low across the box where Hackney arrived and drilled at goal first time, but Coleman saves well.
I am going to have to go into the sitting room to join Mrs Dormo and listen to this on the radio via earphones for the 2nd half. Sitting in my study in front of the laptop the light of a desk lamp, with the commentary from BBC Tees on the TV to my left is clearly not satisfying the Football Gods. Anyway someone wants a pot of tea.
"A poor game - no quality" per Maddo on BBC Tees. Sounds like most of the season so far. Yet today Boro plays third tier Bolton. Let's hope things improve in the second 45. At least a pot of tea to look forward to...
First half verdict
Pretty low-key first half. Bolton's goal was the first shot on goal from either side. Boro reacted well to going behind at least. By no means have they controlled the game, but they have at least created a couple of decent openings since their equaliser. The Hackney chance on the stroke of the break was the best team move of the game. Need more of that.
Hackney chance
Better from Engel as he plays a one-two with Lenihan and then plays it down the channel for Hackney. The midfielder on the left cuts in and uses Jones' run to get himself half a yard in a more central position but he gets his effort from around 25 yards all wrong as he slices it high and wide.
Another nearly moment
Boro more dominant in this second half, but so far restricted to nearly moments. The latest sees McNair break in from the right touchline. He tries to hammer it low across goal where Boro bodies are waiting, but it's a Bolton man who applies the clearance.
Silvera on for Forss
Jones chance
Boro building their momentum in the game and putting the pressure on. Nice one-two from Jones with Barlaser to get into the box. He cuts inside of his man with a dummy and then aims to bend into the far top corner but it's just over.
Boro sub
Rogers on for Crooks, who has picked up a knock. Doesn't look too serious, but no risks as he makes way.
Crooks off injured in the 77th minute, replaced by Rogers.
Important Engel tackle
Charles pl;ayed in behind as Boro appeal for offside. No flag though and Engel shows great determination to get back in and make a last-ditch tackle.
Double Boro sub
McGree and Coburn for Jones and Latte Lath
Reminder
As we enter the final five minutes, if there's no deciding goal here then we head straight to a penalty shoot out. Boro doing their utmost right now to find a winner.
McNair off the bar!
An absolute rocket! He hits one on the half volley and it rattles the bar. It's still shaking now! Boro get a corner so Baxter must have saved that.
Five minutes added time.
McGree - thank goodness, with a "spanking" goal (Maddo) with just a few minutes of time left. 2-1 to Boro.
Get in Riley McGree 1-2 😊😎
McGree makes it 2-1 to Boro in injury time, of which there are five minutes.
Rogers adds a third with two minutes to go.
Rogers provided the assistance for the McGree goal & he then returned the favour.
GOALLL: Boro 3-1, Rogers (90+ 3 mins)
Another! Boro seal the deal.
Well that its friends. I'm off to bed 😀
Rogers: 3-1 to Boro after a great pass by McGree who probably thinks he should have been on the pitch from the start. Phew! Surely that is that? Two goals in stoppage time making the score look comfortable. As soon as the whistle goes, I'm off...
Bye, bye! (And breathe).