HOW ABOUT BORO’S UPS AND DOWNS

MIDDLESBROUGH

Ayala 1, Traore 18, Bamford 53

BARNSLEY

Moore 58 JONNY HOWSON has warned Middlesbrough fans to get ready for a roller coaster run-in.

Rampant Boro looked like running riot before making hard work of dispatching Barnsley to cement their grip on sixth, three points ahead of the chasing pack.

The Teessiders cruised into a three-goal lead thanks to Daniel Ayala (above), Adama Traore and Patrick Bamford.

But they were happy to hear the final whistle after Kieffer Moore pulled one back before heading against a post.

Experienced midfielder Howson said: “We’re starting to show what we’re all about.

“It’s going well and we’re building momentum, but there are still plenty of games to come and we know there will be twists and turns.

“I’ve experienced the play-offs a few times, but we have to make sure we get into them first – rather than looking too far ahead of ourselves. We must make sure we don’t lose our focus.”

The struggling Tykes host Norwich tomorrow night in the first of four home games from the next five matches that will go a long way to deciding their survival prospects.

Their Spanish defender Daniel Pinillos said: “If we can maintain the levels we showed in the second half against one of the best teams in the Championship, then we’re more than capable of getting the results we need. We can save this season, for sure.”