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Middlesbrough had been in control until Daniel Ayala's red card

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis said the "shocking decision" to send off Daniel Ayala cost his side victory at home to Preston.

The Lilywhites came from a goal down to win at the Riverside Stadium after Ayala's 60th-minute red card for a foul on Brandon Barker - despite the defender seeming to play the ball.

A dominant first-half display saw Boro twice hit the post before Ashley Fletcher gave them a 32nd-minute lead as his shot deflected off Jordan Storey and past Declan Rudd.

But Paul Gallagher levelled from the free-kick that came from Ayala's red card before substitute Jayden Stockley headed North End to victory with nine minutes left.

Ayala's red card turned the game on its head - with the Boro bench furious at the decision to send him off for what appeared to be a firm but fair challenge.

"I think it's a poor decision," Pulis told BBC Radio Tees after the match.

"He's miles away from it and he's got people between him an the ball. How he makes that decision, a game-changing decision, from where he is, is just astonishing for me.

"In my opinion he's made a shocking decision tonight."

Jayden Stockley's winner was his second goal for Preston since his January move from League Two side Exeter City

Boro should have been further ahead before half-time as Ayala headed against the post from a sixth-minute corner, before John Mikel Obi struck the upright five minutes later.

Rudd made two smart saves in the final three minutes of the half as Jonny Howson and Fletcher went close to doubling the hosts' lead.

Preston only threatened after their opponents were reduced to 10 men, as Ben Pearson and Barker also had chances to score.

Boro stay fifth in the Championship but now have just a three-point buffer between them and Bristol City in seventh place, while Alex Neil's side move up to ninth, four points behind their hosts.

Preston North End manager Alex Neil told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"The game will be spoken about for the sending-off, because it does change the game, it puts it in our favour.

"The issue you've always got with the sending-off is what is the rule nowadays?

"If the rule is if you win the ball it's not a sending-off, then the lad certainly won the ball. If the rule is dependent on how quickly you go into the ball, how high your foot is and a whole host of other things, then you could understand why it might be a sending-off.

"If I was Middlesbrough I'd be really disappointed, but naturally for us I'm pleased."