Pulis hitmen cannot cut it

TONY PULIS wants 20 goals from one of his strikers this season but last night he would have gladly settled for a lucky own goal.

Pulis’ shot-shy Middlesbrough were shut out at the Riverside for the third game in a row as lowly Rotherham picked up a rare point on their travels.

It is now four and a half hours since they scored on home soil.

And unless Boro find a cutting edge, they risk missing out on promotion again.

They huffed and puffed but, as in recent games against Swansea and Nottingham Forest, were unable to breach the Millers’ defence.

They almost broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when Marek Rodak fumbled Stewart Downing’s shot.

But Britt Assombalonga could not force home the loose ball.

Ex-England winger Downing volleyed into the side-netting 10 minutes later while the misfiring Assombalonga, who still does not look the answer in attack, miskicked in front of goal.

Rotherham scented a first win on Teesside since 1965 and Michael Smith went close with a

25-yarder which Darren Randolph tipped over the bar.

Paul Warne’s men certainly did not play like the travel-sick side who had lost all seven league and cup away games this season.

Indeed but for a stunning point-blank save by Randolph in the

21st minute, the visitors might have been ahead at half-time.

Kyle Vassell crossed and Ryan Williams looked certain to score only for the Republic of Ireland keeper to throw himself at the feet of the midfielder to smother the ball.

Martin Braithwaite had Boro’s best chance before the break but was unable to chip Rodak when clean through.