A YOUNG Middlesbrough side turned in a creditable performance in gaining a point away to West Brom, writes Boro TV's MICHAEL WEADOCK from The Hawthorns.

But it was one of the two senior players in the side who helped set up the game's first chance as Allan Johnston, set up by Craig Dove, beat Tamika Mkandawire to send over a fine cross which Tom Craddock headed just off target.

The home side threatened just short of the quarter-hour mark when Morten Skoubo shot from distance, his effort skidding narrowly wide of David Knight's left-hand post.

Dove started the next dangerous Boro move with deft chip, Craddock pounced, but his first time shot was stopped one-handed by Daniel Crane, who made a more spectacular save to deny Jason Kennedy on the stroke of half-time.

A Dove run and shot down the right forced Crane into another excellent one-handed save 11 minutes into the restart, the ball eventually being scrambled away for a corner.

West Brom substitute Rob Davies' first touch was telling as he delivered an excellent corner which was headed just over by Skoubo.

Tony McMahon, enjoying another fine game, then sent over an inch-perfect cross to Kennedy whose effort deflected for corner.

But the final chance fell to the home side when another good corner from Davies was headed just wide by Skoubo.

WEST BROM: Crane; Hodgkiss (Davies 63), Holmes, Warmer, Midworth, Mkandawire (Capt), Smikle, Wallwork (Tomlinson 76), Skoubo, Elvins (Patterson 75), Clarke. Unused subs: Jones (gk); Paszkowec.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Knight; McMahon, Masters, Gulliver (Capt), Hines, Cattermole (Reed 82), Kennedy, Wilson, Craddock (Johnson 74), Dove, Johnston. Unused subs: Pennock (gk); Clough.

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