BRENTFORD......................................................................2
longa.But the closest Boro came in the early knockings of the second half was a Ben Gibson header that dropped over the top, before Jozefzoon broke at the other end but shot wide.
Then came Bamford - three years after scoring his first Boro goal against Brentford on this ground - with Monk again calling on his four strikers to dig Boro out of a sticky spot, and his side soon had lift-off as Braithwaite levelled.
Jonny Howson’s deep free-kick was headed back across by Shotton at the back post, and after a bout of head tennis, the ball fell perfectly at the back post to Braithwaite who hammered Boro back on level terms.
The script was written - but Brentford weren’t keen on following it, and the Bees stunned the hosts just moments later as slack defending allowed Ollie Watkins the easiest of chances to regain the lead for his side.
Brentford boss Dean Smith punched the air as his side nudged in front for the second time - and then he looked at his watch. Telling - now it was a case of the west Londoners fighting tooth and nail for the points.
But with Boro’s attacking might, the sheer options at Monk’s disposal, this side is always going to have a chance of getting themselves out of jail.
They twice came from behind against QPR, and they did so again here, and it was Howson who got the pat on the back from his teammates as he showed some much-needed flair from midfield.
The summer signing darted into space on the right before cutting the ball back - a whisker behind Bamford in the middle - but Fabio made no mistake as he lashed Boro back on terms with 13 minutes to play.
Then it was one-way traffic, with substitute Lewis Baker appealing for a penalty as he was barged off the ball, while Cyrus Christie - on his 25th birthday - stung the palms of Bentley with a drive from the edge of the box.
There was even a late penalty call as birthday boy Christie hit the ground after a tangle of legs in added time - and turned to referee Tierney for a gift.
But it was rejected - and left Boro’s players throwing their hands up in despair.
That was the general reaction in the stands too, as the full-time whistle was greeted with boos.
For Monk and Boro, a big fortnight awaits.