Middlesbrough Get Set For Semi With Rotherham Draw
Middlesbrough can now turn focus towards the vital second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final after battling to a home draw with Rotherham in the latest round of EFL Championship fixtures.
‘Boro had suffered defeat in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day and went into the game with one eye on Tuesday’s huge game in London, where Michael Carrick’s side will bid to hold on to a 1-0 lead from the first leg.
Both sides had early chances, with Matt Clarke and Sam Greenwood both going close in the first half. Calls for a penalty for following a tug on Greenwood by Peter Kioso would also come to nothing.
After the break however it was Rotherham who grabbed the lead, with Cafu beating Tom Glover to round off a quick counter-attack.
Rotherham however had failed to win away in the league in more than a year and with eight minutes left, a smart move own the right ended with Marcus Forss smashing in the equaliser.
Josh Coburn then headed in what looked to be a winner in injury time before he was ruled to be offside, leaving ‘Boro to settle for a point going into the huge Tuesday encounter.
Boro would play the game in a special kit backed by the MFC Foundation rather than usual sponsor Unibet, with each match worn shirt then being offered in a charity auction to raise much needed funds for the foundation and its work.