Game 15 wet night in the cup

On a night the Ark would have been a suitable mode of transport, 4959 hardy souls braved a deluge of biblical proportions to see Middlesbrough end Preston involvement in this seasons Capital One Cup with a 3-1 at Deepdale.
Middlesbrough made 11 changes from their last match, however you would have know in as the "reserve eleven" battered the home side for the first 30 minutes of this game. Two goals in the first 20 minutes gave the Boro a deserved lead in fact they could have had a couple of others in the opening spell, only a great save from Simonsen kept them out.
It was no surprise when they took the lead, an in swinging corner curled straight in from Ledesma, (0-1) within five minutes it was two when a fine Boro move led Zemmama firing home from about 25 yards.(0-2)
With Boro dominating the play this looked like a massacre but gradually as the away took their foot off the pedal the home side slowly began to probe although any chance of them scoring looked as remote as the rain stopping.
A series of corners brought no reward to the home side then out of the blue they reduced the arrears a neat move found Beavon whose inch perfect pass led to King scoring.(1-2)
The rain got heavier as the second half started and Boro were in control again, making the ball do the work, they look as they could step up a gear but North End didn't give Amoo went close with a header and Byrom hit a shot just wide.
Then just as the home side were buiding up a head of steam a major defensive cock up killed the game as Huntington and Simonsen collectively messed up, in the ensuing melee Smallwood bundled the ball home (1-3)
Boro were back in control and looked like they could score at will with substitute Haroun going close, but the home side didn't give up Leutwiler was forced into a fine double save from Laird and Beavon, Wroe went close with a shot that was tipped over and Beavon missed when it would have been easier to score,but with the last kick off the game Emnes nearly made it four for Boro but his deflected shot hit the post.
An entertaining game on a dire night but played on a fantastic playing surface you wouldn't have realised that it had been raining for nearly 50 hours.


Preston North End 1 Middlesbrough 3 att 4959