Boro came from behind to record a first ever win at Bolton's Macron Stadium last night. Kike's second half strike reinforced his hero credentials for the Boro with a third goal in four games. It also meant that Boro bounced back in some style from the weekend's defeat at Leeds. Yet but for the arm of the Redcar Rock it might have been an altogether different picture. It is so good though to get the away campaign up and running with a win.

There was another big following making their way over the Pennines to the renamed Macron Stadium. They have wasted no time in getting the new names up on the M61 approach and soon Reebok will be consigned to history. That is fine by the Boro because it was never a lucky ground. Last night changed all that as we have now finally won in Horwich.

Aitor Karanka hinted at changes and he was certainly true to his word. Seb Hines came into the centre of defence in place of Ayala. Adam Clayton made his first start, in the centre for Dean Whitehead and Adam Reach was rested with Albert Adomah switching across and Nsue coming in on the right, minus the hair cut!

Boro dominated early possession, a trend that continued right up until first half when the stats showed that we had roughly twice as much of the ball as the home side. Nsue and new right back Abella combined well and threatened Bolton down the flank. Tomlin was busy in the centre buzzing about and helping set Kike free as well as shooting himself.

Boro created several chances on and off target in a bright opening and yet it was Bolton that struck first against the run of play. A ball over the top caught us completely off guard and Craig Davies motored away from Hines and Omeruo. An apparent clip of the heels by Hines and deemed just inside the area brought a penalty but fortunately a yellow and not a red card. The fact that there were two defenders involved may have helped the referee go for the more lenient option. But there was no mercy shown in the penalty ruthlessly despatched into the corner by Davies.

Bolton now took a certain amount of control of the match. Boro continued to press at the far end from the Boro fans but without the fluency we had shown earlier. The smart passing football around the dual hubs of Leadbitter and Clayton wasn't quite so effective and the former Huddersfield player had the first of several misdirected blasts for goal.

Tomlin tricked his way into the box and not for the first or last time was blocked off the ball. This time it was in the box and Boro players and fans all appealed for a penalty. Not given.

Then with time running out in the first half former Redcar Rock, David Wheater, handed us a get out of a jail card when he handled in the box. Grant Leadbitter picked up the ball, walked calmly away from all the arguments and discussions between Bolton players and the referee, before stepping up and hammering home the penalty. Phew!

There were long queues at the food and drink counter at half time, I gave up the ghost and went hungry into the second period. Boro also had a hunger for points and showed a steely determination not to fall behind to any more sucker punches from the home team.

“Wanderers” was the cry from the Bolton fans but Boro started to exercise some control again. Albert Adomah switched flanks with Nsue, the latter seems much more a scamperer and dribbler rather than the sprinter we were led to believe we were getting. Adomah made a good run into the box to almost unlock Bolton.

When Adam Reach came on for Nsue we really started to open up our opponents. We became far more direct and the pace of Reach, Adomah and the two over lapping full backs caused Bolton real problems. Tomlin had been fouled several times on the edge of the area but this time he flicked the ball into the centre where Reach and Kike combined, Kike sent the ball spinning over Bogdan and into the net. 2-1.

Kike and the fans behind that goal went absolutely mad. Ole Ole Kike Kike.

Boro brought on first Ayala and then Dean Whitehead as we looked to close out the game. We had a couple of real chances on the break also as Wheater was pressed into attack. This time there was no late reprieve for Bolton and Mejias stood firm in goal.

How we celebrated at the end. A first Boro victory on the road and a first win at this stadium in Horwich. Boro will cerainly play a lot better than this and lose. early on it looked as if Aitor had made too many changes but it will take time for new players like Adam Clayton to fully find their feet in the set up. Now bring on Sheff Wed and let's continue to move on up.

Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Middlesbrough



