MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):
7 Travers: Made a couple of crucial saves, especially in the first half when Plymouth were on top
5 Dijksteel: Was given a stiff examination by Mumba, and was taken off midway through the second half
5 Howson: Played Morris into trouble with his poor pass – ended up at right-back after Carrick shuffled around his defence
6 Van den Berg: Was stretched on a number of occasions, but made a couple of important interceptions
6 Iling-Junior: Better going forwards than backwards once again – delivered a couple of dangerous crosses
5 Morris: Made a mess of dealing with Howson’s pass as Plymouth scored and wasn’t his usual composed self
7 Hackney: Was a key factor in getting Boro onto the front foot and moving forward in the second half
6 Forss: Moved infield from his initial starting position on the right but failed to find the target with a headed chance
7 Whittaker: Looked much more comfortable and much more effective when moved to the flank in the second half
7 Azaz: Was in the right place at the right time to score Boro’s opener and also set up a good chance for Conway
7 CONWAY: Showed commendable composure to claim the winning goal from the penalty spot
Subs:
6 Fry (for Dijksteel, 61): Came on to help shore up the heart of the back four in the second half
Iheanacho (for Forss, 72)
Burgzorg (for Whittaker, 89)
Giles (for Iling-Junior, 89)
(not used): Glover (gk), Edmundson, B Palmer, A Palmer, Barlaser.
PLYMOUTH (3-4-3):
Hazard 6; Szucs 6, Palsson 6, Plegeuzel 5; Mumba 6, Randell 5, Edwards 5, Houghton 6 (Boateng 88); Hardie 6 (Obafemi 88), Bundu 6 (Tijani 76), GYABI 7 (Wright 72).
Subs (not used): Grimshaw (gk), Ogbeta, Puchacz, Baidoo, Issaka.
Man Of The Match: TOMMY CONWAY – The Boro striker held his nerve to keep his side in the play-off race.
