Kal’s chance to make it big

ADEN FLINT reckons Middlesbrough’s stingy defence is the rock that can see them promoted this season.

Flint, 29, and the rest of the back four were distraught after letting in a soft consolation goal from Alan Judge.

Strikes from Jordan Hugill and Marcus Tavernier meant the lapse was not costly as Boro moved back into the automatic promotion places.

But Flint has taken boss Tony Pulis’ words that “goals win matches, clean sheets win leagues” to heart.

He said: “It was disappointing to let in the goal. We are taking a real pride in the defensive record and that was only a ninth goal conceded all season in the league.

“We were annoyed, we all switched off for the short corner and we don’t want to allow that.”

Flint is delighted for Hugill, a Middlesbrough lad back on loan after an £8m move from Preston to West Ham turned sour.

He added: “Jordan is a great story – a guy who used to be a barman in the area before going off to be a professional elsewhere.

“And then coming back to his home patch and scoring goals in front of fans that he maybe used to serve at the bar. He puts in a hell of a shift every time he plays.

“He got a monkey off his back with goals against Wigan and maybe he will continue in a vein of scoring.

“Marcus has also done so well. He hadn’t started a league game for a year or something.”

Brentford were top after eight games but one win in 11 has seen them sink like a stone.

Striker Neal Maupay said: “We try to stay positive but it is hard. When you don’t get wins, you are upset obviously.

“I am sure we have the quality to start picking up some wins soon. We did play well but on our defensive side sometimes we are a bit lazy and concede easy goals.”