Carrick endures a horror Storey in his opening game
NEW boss Michael Carrick watched in disbelief as Preston’s Jordan Storey scored a killer goal in added-on time to spoil his launch party.
Not quite as bad for Boro’s 3,000 following as the 4-1 defeat at Deepdale five months ago, a result that denied the Teesside outfit a play-off place.
But still a bad result for Carrick in his opening game as the Middlesbrough boss.
And the 41-year-old said: “To lose like that is hard to take.
“It was never going to be a fairy tale from the start onwards, but I fancied us to go on and win in the second half, with the belief and the confidence we showed.
“I’ve said all week that it will be small steps forward. We clearly didn’t hurt them enough up front, so we will need more attempts on goal.
“It’s early days for me, but we now have to get ready for our match at Hull City on Tuesday.”
It had all looked good for the Manchester United legend early on when Chuba Akpom put his Teesside charges ahead after just eight minutes.
But Preston’s Great Dane Emil Riis – wanted by previous boss Chris Wilder – rubbed out Boro’s lead with a brilliant, unstoppable drive that gave American keeper Zack Steffen no chance.
It looked like a draw would ensue, until Preston defender Storey was on hand to head home a Liam Lindsay set-up for only his fourth goal for the side in more than 100 games.
It was only their second home win of the season and just their fourth goal at Deepdale, but manager Ryan Lowe was delighted with the win.
He said: “The derby defeat at Blackpool was tough to take, but this is hopefully the start of making Deepdale a fortress.
“Emil’s goal was a superb volley, and Jordan doesn’t score all that often as a defender, but it was a great header and it gave us the points.
“I’ve been asking the crowd for patience and now we’ve sent them away happy. As for Boro, Michael Carrick will be a good manager with all his experience at Manchester United. I wish him well.”
Boro’s flying start came as Akpom put them ahead with a well-taken header. The striker had forced a corner as his low attempt on goal was deflected away by Storey.
From the corner by Ryan Giles, former Blackburn man Darren Lenihan sent a header across the Preston goal for Akpom to head home from close range.
North End had a penalty claim when Ben Woodburn’s effort seemed to hit a Boro player’s arm, only for ref Gavin Ward to wave play on.
Preston’s leveller came after Boro skipper Jonny Howson gave away a freekick in stopping Ali McCann.
Robbie Brady’s free-kick into the box saw Lindsay nod the ball on to Riis, and the hotshot made no mistake as he struck his fifth goal of the campaign. PRESTON: Woodman 6; Potts 6, Storey 7, Lindsay 6, Fernandez 7 (Johnson (85) 5), Whiteman 6 (Ledson (56) 6), McCann 8; Browne 6; Brady 6 (Hughes (75) 6), Riis 7, Woodburn 7 (Evans (85) 5) MIDDLESBROUGH: Steffen 6; Smith 6, Fry 6, Lenihan 7, Giles 8; Hackney 6, Howson 6; McGree 6 (Mowatt (85) 5), Jones 7, Muniz 6 (Forss (70) 6), Akpom 7 STAR MAN: Ryan Giles – Boro’s on-loan man’s penetrating and pin-point crosses had Preston on the back foot. REF: Gavin Ward 7
Midd’boro