GROSICKI’S
JONATHAN WOODGATE hailed a “topclass” performance from his Middlesbrough team.
Boro were denied a first away win under boss Woodgate after Tommy Rowe’s late leveller.
But Woodgate ( below) said: “I don’t have a bad word to say about any of my players. It was our best display of the season and we deserved to win.
“Bristol looked to counter-attack us and did so effectively in the first half. But we tweaked a couple of things and I thought the lads were outstanding.
“Of course, I’m unhappy with conceding from two headers. Defenders seem to want to mark areas rather than opponents these days and space never scored a goal.
“But in all other respects I’m delighted. We have things to work, but the team are developing and now we have to build on this.” K Kasey Palmer gave City a 44th m minute lead with a firm downward header from Niclas Eliasson’s cross to crown a thrilling first half.
But Boro stormed back after the th break, equalising on 64 minute utes when Paddy Mcnair’s cross was turned into his own net by Taylor Moore.
And the game was turned on its head four minutes later when Britt Assombalonga burst clear to shoot past Dan Bentley.
A storming game was given the right result when City left-back Tommy Rowe found space to head home a cross from substitute Callum O’dowda nine minutes from time.
Add countless goalmouth incidents and several fine saves by keepers Bentley and Darren Randolph and it was a breathtaking clash.
Robins chief Lee Johnson didn’t share their enthusiasm and said: “It was far too open from my point of view. “We didn’t get our distances right and that was down to poor communication, with a number of young players in the team.
“I’m disappointed because I felt the game was there for us to win.”