BOLTON MISS OUT ON WIN FOR DARBY

MIDDLESBROUGH 2 BOLTON 0 PHIL PARKINSON refused to make excuses after an emotionally charged 48 hours as Bolton failed to secure the victory they had hoped to dedicate to stricken team-mate Stephen Darby. The defender, 29, was forced to retire after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a plight to put Wanderers’ financial worries into stark perspective. After a fourth game

without a win, Parkinson said: ‘It’s been a tough couple of days for us all with what’s happened to Stephen, but the players are professional and it was important for them to put in a performance to reflect his character

and I thought we did that today.’ Middlesbrough’s seventh consecutive home league win was sealed with goals at the end of each half from debutant midfielder George Saville and substitute Britt Assombalonga. Manager Tony Pulis said: ‘We’re going to have lot of games like that where we have to dig in and work hard.’