Fulham loanee puts Boro ahead

FERNANDO Amorebieta might not be known for his goalscoring prowess, but after the Venezuelan climbed off the bench to hand Middlesbrough a slim advantage in their play-off semi-final with Brentford, manager Aitor Karanka insisted he always had faith in his ex-team-mate.

Defender Amorebieta, 30, arrived at Griffin Park with the same number of red cards in English football as goals – two.

But after entering the fray with quarter of an hour remaining, Amorebieta – on loan from Brentford’s London rivals Fulham – hit a 94th-minute volley for his first goal in Boro colours.

It hands Middlesbrough a 2-1 advantage heading back to the Riverside after Jelle Vossen’s opener had been cancelled out by Andre Gray, and Karanka always knew the towering defender would deliver.

“I know Fernando, I’ve played with him before at Athletic Bilbao and I knew he could do the job,” he said.

“It was very good for him because he’s an experienced player and he’s been superb every minute he’s been here. He’s settling very well.”

Boro opened the scoring after 25 minutes when Vossen found himself with time and space to head home Adam Clayton’s cross.

The Bees looked to be the better side from there on with Alan Judge, Jota and Alex Pritchard getting a lot of the ball and looking dangerous.

However, they were unable to break down a sturdy Middlesbrough defence until keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos dithered with the ball at his feet, allowing Gray to steal in and put his side level early in the second half.

The hosts continued to apply attacking pressure but couldn’t find a breakthrough.They were punished when George Friend nodded down a Grant Leadbit-