Town’s hopes of winning automatic promotion would appear to hang by a thread after they were defeated 4-1 at Middlesbrough. Boro went in front through Daniel Ayala in the fourth minute in an incident which saw Blues keeper Dean Gerken stretchered off, Daryl Murphy equalised with his 23rd goal of the season on 11 and Albert Adomah restored the Teessiders’ lead on the half hour, before Patrick Bamford sealed the victory after the break with goals on 64 and 79.

Teddy Bishop replaced Richard Chaplow in an otherwise unchanged Town side with the on-loan Millwall man dropping to the bench.

Bishop started in the centre of midfield with Jay Tabb moving to the left and Jonny Parr to the right.

Gerken, whose wife gave birth yesterday, continued in goal with Bartosz Bialkowski on the bench with Paddy Kenny also having made the trip.

Kevin Bru was back on amongst the subs after his knee injury, while Stephen Hunt travelled having recovered from his hamstring problem but was not in the 18. David McGoldrick remained in Suffolk but is likely to be in the squad for the home game against Bolton on Tuesday.

Boro were the first to threaten in the third minute when Daniel Ayala chipped a quick freekick behind the Blues’ backline to Adam Reach, but skipper Luke Chambers did superbly to get back to stab the ball away from the midfielder. Referee Mike Jones waved away Boro claims for a penalty.

But from the resultant corner on the left, the home side went in front. The flag-kick was played short to Adam Clayton, who sent the ball over and former Norwich man Ayala headed home.

As Ayala scored, Blues keeper Gerken clashed heads with George Friend and Christophe Berra and required seven minutes of treatment on the pitch before eventually being carried off on a stretcher with his neck in his brace while being administered oxygen. Bartosz Bialkowski took over in goal.

Before Gerken had made it to the tunnel, the Blues were on terms. Tyrone Mings’s header found Parr midway inside the Boro half and the Norwegian turned and brought the ball forward before hitting a powerful shot to Dimi Konstantopoulos’s left.

The keeper got across to save but parried the ball back towards the centre of his goal, from where Murphy stabbed his 23rd goal of the season into the roof of the net.

It had been a remarkable start to the game with Town’s goal having come only 26 seconds of actual playing time after Boro’s.

The Blues were a whisker from going in front in the 21st minute when Tabb cut the ball back from the left and it fell to Murphy, who hit a powerful strike on the turn which struck Freddie Sears before trickling onto the post and into Konstantopoulos’s arms.

After Jonathan Woodgate had replaced goalscorer Ayala - who had been a pre-match doubt with a thigh injury - Cole Skuse smashed a low shot which was deflected wide. From Tabb’s left-sided corner, Murphy headed over.

Tommy Smith picked up the game’s first booking for a foul on Tomas Kalas in the 28th minute, Chambers heading clear former Blues skipper Grant Leadbitter’s lofted freekick.

But two minutes later the home side were back in front. After a well-worked corner on the left, the ball eventually found Adomah on the edge of the box and, as Mings sought to close him down, the Ghanaian international hit a low strike which caught Berra on its way past Bialkowski and into the net.

Bishop’s 33rd minute strike was claimed comfortably by Konstantopoulos, then three minutes later Murphy headed another Tabb corner from the left over the bar.

Town threatened again on 39 from another Tabb left-sided flag-kick. After Mings had failed to get enough on his header, Berra returned the ball from the right and Sears’s hooked effort was blocked.

As the half moved into its final five minutes Adomah shot over from the Boro left, then Bishop screwed an effort wide from the edge of the area after another Blues corner, again on the left.

Town continued to look the more threatening side. With a minute of scheduled first-half time remaining Bishop skipped across the Boro area but saw his effort snuffed out, then Sears following up had his strike blocked.

As the half moved into eight minutes of injury time Bishop was shown his first senior yellow card for catching Friend as they challenged for an aerial ball.

The second of two Bishop corners from the right culminated in Berra’s over-head kick running through to Konstantopoulos, then Patrick Bamford claimed a penalty when challenged by Berra but referee Jones waved away his lengthy protests. Replays suggested the on-loan Chelsea man had a good case.

Just before the whistle finally came, Adomah hit a shot on the turn which was blocked by Mings.

On the balance of the half Town shouldn’t have been behind having been on top for the most part. However, after failing to defend Boro’s only two corners, they could hardly complain about the scoreline.

Having gone behind to Ayala’s goal and lost Gerken to his injury, the Blues reacted well, although Konstantopoulos will feel he ought to have done better with Parr’s shot which led to Murphy’s goal.

After conceding the second goal, the Blues had looked the more likely scorers, although without creating any clear-cut opportunities.

The Blues started the second half on the front, Mings over-hitting an early cross from the left beyond Murphy.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 53rd minute when Reach almost profited from a moment of hesitation between Bialkowski and Chambers but the Boro man was adjudged to have used his hand and his shot had in any case been blocked.

Middlesbrough centre-half Ben Gibson was booked for pulling back Murphy as the Town scorer turned and took the ball away from him in the 55th minute. Sears curled the resultant 25-yard freekick well wide.

The first quarter of an hour had been much the same as the end of the first period with the Blues on top but without creating anything significant, however, on 64 the home side increased their lead.

After a Town ball forward had been cleared and hooked on by Leadbitter, Jelle Vossen deftly sent Bamford away behind the Blues’ backline. The England U21 kept his cool and dummied his way past Bialkowski before tapping the ball into the net.

After Boro had switched Adam Forshaw for Vossen, Chris Wood took over from Tabb for the Blues.

On 73 Reach was booked for a late tackle on Bishop, then two minutes later Clayton hit an effort from distance which flew over.

Bishop played a shot corner on the right to Parr on 78 but the Norwegian’s shot was blocked.

With 11 minutes left on the clock Boro’s fourth goal sealed the result. Bamford dummied a long ball and broke away from Smith before hitting a low shot across Bialkowski and into the net to make it 4-1.

Town were by now looking shellshocked and Adomah wasn’t far from making it 5-1 with a shot from the left which flew wide. At the other end, Murphy cut the ball back to Sears from the right but the former Colchester man diverted it against a defender and behind.

Bamford should have made it five and completed his hat-trick in the 86th minute when Adomah brought the ball forward from halfway and fed him to his left, but the Chelsea loanee shot over.

Luke Varney, who had replaced Bishop for the final six minutes, headed wide from Murphy’s cross from the right, then at the other end Boro sub Forshaw ought to have done better with an Adomah cross, but headed well wide.

As the match moved into three minutes of additional time, Bamford smashed high and wide. Not long afterwards referee Jones put the Blues out of their misery.

Despite the eventual scoreline, the Blues had been in the game up until the hour mark having had a fair amount of the ball, albeit without creating anything which would have tested Konstantopoulos. Town failed to seriously threaten from their 13 corners while Boro scored their first two goals from their total of three.

Bamford’s first goal all but settled the game, the fourth added some gloss and in the end the home side might have won by even more having had plenty of chances in the final minutes with the Blues looking uncharacteristically dishevelled.

It was little consolation that Murphy, who was watched by Ireland assistant manager and former Blues boss Roy Keane, became the first Town player to score more than 22 league goals in a season since Ray Crawford in 1962/63.

The Blues are now eight points behind Boro, who move to the top, with the rest of the challengers in action later this afternoon. Town’s chances of returning to the Premier League after a 13-year absence would now appear to be reliant on winning the play-offs.

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Kalas, Ayala (Woodgate 24), Gibson, Friend, Leadbitter (Nsue 88) (c), Clayton, Adomah, Reach, Bamford, Vossen (Forshaw 68). Unused: Ripley, Whitehead, Tomlin, Kike.

Town: Gerken (Bialkowski 10), Chambers (c), Mings, Smith, Berra, Skuse, Bishop (Varney 84), Parr, Tabb (Wood 69), Murphy, Sears. Unused: Clarke, Anderson, Chaplow, Bru. Referee: Mike Jones (Chester). Attendance: 18,909 (Town: 444).

Photo: Action Images

wayway added 22:54 - Mar 14 God I am sick of hearing how Boring Billy saved us from relegation. That was 2 seasons ago for christ sake. Nearly every post on here reckons Smith should be dropped but if you think our boring stubborn manager will drop him on Tuesday you have as much chance as being struck by a meteorite. Smith will be in and so will Tabb and probably Messi, sorry Anderson will be recalled. But all is not lost, we still have Hyam to come back go weave his magic in midfield. Get out now Evaand take that boring bugger with you

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captaincrunch added 23:02 - Mar 14 Guys don't freak out it was a hard fixture and a point would have been a good result. We only need to finish 6th for playoffs which is only 1 point above us with only Wolves and Brentford's results to worry about and they aren't exactly on fire themselves. Top 6 is a good season for us. I would love it if we beat Norwich in the playoff final. How good would that be?

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Lightningboy added 23:46 - Mar 14 It's got to a point now where I just don't think we are worthy of promotion or even getting into the play-offs. When you compare the current situation & lack of style to the way we achieved promotion with George Burley,well it's chalk & cheese. Don't get me wrong,i'm extremely thankful to Mick & TC for what they've done considering we were bottom when they took over But for every Freddie Sears or Christophe Berra that he's signed there are the likes of Connor Sammons,Paul Greens,Richie Chaplows etc etc...not everything he touches turns to gold. We've probably got the best squad we've had for 10 years and I feel that we're being let down at the mo by seriously poor managerial decisions - no.1 being that everyone apart from Mick can see that Chambers should be in the centre instead of Smith & Parr (or even Hewitt) should be at right back..what on earth is Mick watching week in week out? The first 5 months of the season feel like a long time ago.

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kidsurello added 00:09 - Mar 15 Forget "kept us from relegation", TWO SEASONS AGO NOW, considering where we were earlier in the season, this is becoming embarrassing. If mick doesn't want to change the team, formation or style of play, the only other way to solve to problem is to change the manager.
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mrmorisato added 02:28 - Mar 15 Mick is experimenting with the formation and the line up at precisely the wrong time, hes bought in too many loanees again so the team is unsettled and not much clue as how to adapt to the new signings :( Anyone else see what Mick said in the paper on Friday? It sent out a very negative defeatist attitude, its fairly clear to me that Mick does not want his team in the Play offs let alone the Premiership next season which is angering the fans big time. Smith is making far too many mistakes but who else can we play apart from Chambers? Parr should be used in an attacking midfield role as he is not a full back. Mings had an awful performance this lunchtime and it showed, Mick needs funds to recruit again in the Summer so Bishop or Mings may depart. I don't understand how we've fallen so badly off the pace since January, we dont look a top 6 team at all but Mick needs to improve upon the points tally from last season as a sign of progression.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 06:17 - Mar 15 First of all, I'd like to say "respect" to the 444. You came over loud and clear, and I note that those of you who have commented on here have not yet thrown in the towel. If I lived in the UK, we'd have been 445! Then I agree with cromwellblue (page 1). We had form pre-Xmas, but we lack the necessary quality in some (most) areas to keep it going. We are predictable and one-dimensional, but when we actually try to play football (as in first half vs Boro), we are not bad. There is no doubt we've sadly missed an in-form McG or a Joniesta or that if we had had a loan like Boro's public schoolboy (not difficult to work out he's from Chelsea the way he complains after every tackle) this might have tipped the balance in a couple of earlier matches. But the decision seems to have been made not to do this on financial grounds, so don't really see MM can be blamed for that. Then the tactics M uses with what he's got will always be up for debate, and I agree we could move things round somewhat. But I'm still up for the playoffs - especially if we get McG back - and even though I think our chances of beating any of nos. 3-5 would be minimal, I'd rather give it a go than admit defeat before our chances are mathematically impossible.

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peteswindon added 07:10 - Mar 15 A few rambeling thoughts.Yesterday, for long periods we played some good football first time in a while we had the ball down and actually passed the ball forward. In defense we where terible Mings and Smith both had a nightmare game, that is what cost us. Tabb played well, his dead balls looked a lot more dangerous. Teddy tried hard and showed some quallity but run out of puff. We need the ball on the ground and given to Sears he is fast and can attack. As for all the doom and gloom brigade yes we are all disapointed, but lets face it we dont have a team that would last five minutes in the premier league. With out doubt we have over achieved this season, for the first time in many years we have had hope. (is that a bad thing) I met MM before the Midelsbough game in December and one thing he said sticks in my mind. Talking about the great buzz around Portman rd due to Ipswich doing so well, He said everyone is saying how great he and the team are, But give it a couple off losses and everyone will be moaning and screaming for his head. But they still do the same things nothing changes the same effort goes into the preperation and into the matches. If we could turn the season upside down ie have a terible start and now be pushing for a play off place would you except our position with glee? Ultimatly we need some new players ones who can improve the squad, This is down to Marcus Evans he needs to put his hand in his pocket if we are to improve.

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blueherts added 08:43 - Mar 15 Pace and width boys Pace and Width ....Tis what we lack and what we need!!Oh and Smith out and Chambers over and errrr
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paulm3paw added 08:54 - Mar 15 If you new in YOUR job that if you put 100% in and you got promoted to a job that was out of your depth, just to be laid off or sacked because you were useles YOU WOULD slack of so it would not happen human nature. Im not saying that for all the player's but it only takes a few to screw it up. I dont blame the manager just the commitment of the players.
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GoldieBlue added 09:33 - Mar 15 As disappointing as yesterday was, the real disappointment was not beating Brentford last week. Realistically we were never going to make top 2 with the squad we have and we have been let off the hook again by brentford. We are better than brentford which has been proven home and away this season, we have also been better than middlesborough home and away only some very poor defensive errors cost us yesterday. Drop tommy and tabb. Bru and McGoldrick back in and we will be OK. Season Starts Now!!!

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Walk_the_Wark added 10:59 - Mar 15 New manager please. Mick may still get us up- but do you really want to be in the PL with him at the helm??
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bellazzurri79 added 11:03 - Mar 15 Kevtblue- there is something wrong with the Didzy situation ... It's not an injury, I am convinced wouldn't suprise me if it's something like this ... Paul Taylor reveals how much he was on, Didz feels he could have doubled his money if he was sold to Leicester, so .. His agent asks for a rise in salary ... Marcus Evans says no.... Didzys attitude changes around the camp.... Mick mccarthy gives him a chance to show better behaviour around the camp Didzy still feels f***** off Micks had enough but doesn't want to harm a potential transfer in the summer so they agree to blag about an injury ... Mm taking no s*** from Didzy like he didn't from Paul Taylor Mm hoping upon hope that jonny williams gets fit so he can replace Didzy for the run in Doesn't happen so he gets f***** Chris wood! ... Now I may be wrong, but I have thought this ever since the southampton/Derby games and now he has been out for 5 weeks with a thigh injury .... He seemed fine at the players half term signings ..... Walked very well..... At new year we were joint top... The players thought this is all too easy... Morale is getting us places... Unfortunately along came southampton and everything changed... Players worried about playing against premiership players week in week out and looking below average.... i hope the legacy that Paul Taylor left hasn't in fact ruined that unity and team spirit we had....

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BillBlue added 11:15 - Mar 15 warktheline - OK point taken and absorbed so let bygones be bygones with a fresh start? I have read each of your posts and am in agreement so that is a bit special! I truly feel for you because it is not nice being let down by somebody whom you have looked up to but, unfortunately, it was always on the cards and you will recover. We need to 'soldier on' from here and get this team back where it belongs. Congratulations on your slimming I actually saw a photo of a friend on Facebook and didn't recognise him - he has just been awarded some National prize, well worth it as it keeps you healthy. Blueboy - I agree 100% with what you say about the Smith knockers and this applies to Chambers too and others who are wrongly positioned. Smith in particular played wonderfully well when centred with Chambers and to be honest I believe that was the time when we were most secure at the back. If I felt kindly to MM I might wonder if his problems are caused by not wanting to drop Smith and should that (although unlikely) be the case he could easily overcome it by rotating the three Central Defenders as Central Defenders - but he might need to think to work that one out! Where are we going from here? It is not in the hands of the God's but in those of Mr Evan's, Will he persevere with MM or will he see the light and bring in a dynamic young Manager, we shall know in a couple of months.

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BillBlue added 11:23 - Mar 15 kidsurello - I agree and believe that MM has arrived at exactly the same place as he did at Wolves!
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Bob7881 added 12:56 - Mar 15 Calling for MM's head wont happen look how long he stuck with Keane and Jewell. Lets face it with those two clowns its was really bad. I agree with those that say we should get behind the club but as much as i want him to succeed i just dont see MM and ITFC a good fit. Im not calling MM a bad manager he has his strengths but really Town playing the old Wimbledon style. If thats what the majority want hoof ball and promotion then i have to conceed im wrong and stay away from Portman Road. As a kid iwas mesmorised by the European nights and watching town taking apart Englands biggest clubs with passing football. Old habits die hard i just hate what we play now ive seen kids on a Sat morning pass the ball to feet more.

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runningout added 13:21 - Mar 15 don't like to point out those that have been poor... Good professionals are never satisfied with themselves, and look to improve, even at a high level. We have had too many kicks up the a*se, so the message must have got through by now.. A few need to Wake up
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Miles added 14:17 - Mar 15 I'm disgusted that people are calling for Micks head!!! Especially with the last 2 managers we've had! We've were fighting relegation with RK and PJ and although were struggling we have a chance to make the top 6! Do you believe Murphy would be the player he is now without TC? Would we be in league 1 if MM didn't take over? Be careful what you wish for is my message to the greedy fans who want him gone. It's ok to be frustrated with certain results and our form, it's even natural but don't lose patience with the project because of 3 months of indifferent form!

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carsey added 14:47 - Mar 15 Crikey 167 comments on this story plus 82 on Micks after match comments. Can't remember the last time so many people had so much to say and most of them in total agreement. For those saying we should be thankful for to MM and TC for saving us two years ago I agree and I am thankful. The problem is having done so they raised our expectations particularly after the start we had this season - top 2 in January. What most people seem to agree with is the lack of vision on the pitch. The inability to play football with players in their natural positions. I have said many times I believe we do have players capable of playing football some of whom we have yet to see in a first team match. The club also have a good crop of youngsters in the U18 and U21 but none of them will get a look in in the future if Mick persists in the hard running physical style he is so famed for. In my view the question is can Mick change and adapt or should the club look to install a Mark Warburton type manager/coach? If they do it may well take another couple of years to turn it around and while there is the slightest chance of promotion and grabbing the parachute payments upon the inevitable relegation I can't see it happening. I don't like the football we play but short of changing my allegiance to another team which no one can do I shall keep going to Portman Road, hoping we win and praying we don't meet that lot from up the A140 in the playoffs.

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blueherts added 15:21 - Mar 15 Question - HONEST answers now for all those 'Football Purists' IN august did u expect us to be with 9 games to go and how would you have felt 1.1 POINT OFF PLAY OFFS BUT PLAYING NOT VERY ATTRACTIVE FOOTBALL 2.Bottom half but playing some really nice football Just interested I loved some of the team we had in the past but we havent played with any style for years Last time I looked we are still in with a shout of play offs So tell me when do u want MM to go ? Now - end of season ? If we make play offs that IS progress

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warktheline added 16:02 - Mar 15 @blueherts, you may be surprised but I think you will find the vast majority would prefer attractive football. I've backed this management from day one, and progression have been made RESULT wise, and the core of fans on this forum have appreciated that, BUT not the way this has been achieved on the pitch. That is not, by no means a dig at these fans. Others like myself, have been happy just to see our club move in the right direction, whatever system is played on the field. That is the difference, I believe, between many on forum. Has McCarthy really ever been accepted by all Town fans? His style of play goes against all that we've been watching prior to last 5 years. Sir Bobby laid down the marker, and apart from a tilt from Burley, nobody has been able to get anywhere near the man. I very much doubt anyone will. That's why I accept its a result driven business, by any means possible.... Others see it differently. A view, by the way, I fully understand.

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BlueArmy01 added 16:38 - Mar 15 Attractive football for me, unfortunately money has killed the game from that point of view but I still see Football as being part of the Entertainment business......... I was speaking with a work colleague and asked him who was the last creative/exciting midfielder we had, no loans allowed, i think we went all the way back to Martijn Reuser!
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mrmorisato added 17:08 - Mar 15 I think Mick will get us into the Premiership but for me he is still yet to prove himself as a Premier League Manager.
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TimmyH added 17:18 - Mar 15 @blueherts - the problem is yes I am happy to be 1 point off the play-offs if it was handed to me at the beginning of the season BUT we are on the decent at the wrong time of the season and quite badly if you look at the form table and that coupled with a team playing not pretty football (as mentioned). To think we were well and truly in the mix for automatic promotion with Derby, Boro and Bournemouth as little as mid-January and then to collapse due to injuries, poor managerial decisions and lack of decent January transfer business and the owner not taking a gamble when perhaps he should have (and let's face it he certainly did with those muppets PJ and the Dark Lord) has no doubt riled many a supporter! Like to be positive and say we'll make the play-offs but currently I'm really not sure we'll do it and that will be criminal.

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jas0999 added 18:05 - Mar 15 TimmyH - excellent post. Couldn't agree more!
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Toronto_Tractor added 19:19 - Mar 15 For those who believe that we should carry out an overall of the current tactical approach.. Aka Hoofy taka... Do you actually believe we currently possess the personel to play teams like Middlesbrough, Norwich etc off the park?. We absolutely do not. When MM got promoted with Sunderland and wolves, he had a much better set of players. I've been emotional about it all as much as the next town fan but realism must surely sink in for those not consumed by a cloud of delusion. Our biggest crime was mixing it with the big boys for so long. We can still make 6th, it's gonna be. A fight. If we make it, it'll be through the MM way.... The same way that has a picked up some decent wind this year. Trying to do anything different now with that midfield would be suicidal. I do believe that whatever happens.. MIDFIELDERS!!!! Is a huge priority of investment in the summer!

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