Pulis’ kids deny scalp for Nolan
CHAMPIONSHIP leaders Middlesbrough came from behind three times to avoid a Carabao Cup upset against League Two Notts County and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Boro boss Tony Pulis played with fire by making 10 changes to his line-up and almost paid the price.
Yet Pulis was full of praise for the multiple young debutants he fielded as they refused to say die and went on to win 4-3 on penalties.
‘Six goals, we came from behind three times, and we ended up with seven young academy players on the pitch,’ Pulis said. ‘The young’uns have enjoyed it, the supporters enjoyed it and we won.
‘Football clubs spend a lot on their academies and sometimes you get criticised for not playing them in these games.’
Tom Crawford and a brace by Jon Stead put Kevin Nolan’s County in front on three occasions but they were pegged back by Enes Mahmutovic and two goals from Ashley Fletcher.
Nolan said: ‘They put on a really good show. They’ve all come out with flying colours. A lot of things to be positive about.’ Boro won this competition in 2004 but Pulis had not shied away from pointing out that promotion to the Premier League is their priority. With that in mind, he handed out seven debuts, and visiting boss Nolan made seven changes.
Within 20 minutes, an upset appeared to be on the cards when County took the lead via a training-ground free-kick that caught Boro napping. Dan Jones found Stead, who crossed for 19- year- old Crawford to score on his debut.
Boro soon hit back through a Fletcher tap-in before Nolan’s side took the lead again when Stead turned and fired a low 25-yard shot beyond Andy Lonergan.
There was still time for another strike before the break as Marvin Johnson’s cross found the head of Mahmutovic to make it 2-2.
On the hour mark, Boro history was made when Nathan Wood became the youngest player to appear competitively for the club at 16 years and 75 days.
County then took the lead again through Stead before Fletcher equalised. It went to a shootout and Boro triumphed 4-3, with Stead and Jones the unlucky culprits who had their penalties saved.