Robins: Deal with it and make it right

Bae Junho’s second goal in three matches wasn’t enough for the Potters as Middlesbrough won to move within four points of the playoff places.

The South Korean international levelled for City on the stroke of half-time, cancelling out Marcus Forss’ 20th minute opener for Boro, before second half goals from Finn Azaz and Tommy Conway secured the spoils for Michael Carrick’s men.

Mark Robins made three changes to his starting line-up as Million Manhoef and Ben Wilmot made their returns to the starting XI following injury, with Nathan Lowe also replacing the injured Ali Al-Hamadi.

The first chance of the game came for the Potters when Million Manhoef dribbled into the penalty area before dragging his effort wide of the mark.

Boro responded with a dangerous attack of their own as Morgan Whittaker’s half-volley forced Viktor Johansson into a smart low save.

The visitors took the lead midway through the first half when Forss cut onto his left foot and fired a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Forss then turned provider by finding Conway inside the six yard box, however, the forward’s first time effort sailed over the crossbar.

Mark Travers was at full stretch to preserve the visitors’ advantage on the half hour, as the former Potters’ loanee produced a double save to deny Lewis Baker and Manhoef.

And, on the brink of first half additional time, the Potters’ endeavours to haul themselves back into the contest were rewarded.

A sweeping move saw Nathan Lowe tee-up Andrew Moran to cut the ball across the box to Junho, who tapped in the equaliser at the far post.

The visitors retook the lead shortly after the interval when Azaz found the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

A third followed for Boro in the 73rd minute as a one-two between Azaz and Conway gave the latter a clear sight of goal to stroke past Johansson.

Junho had the opportunity for his second of the evening in the closing stages when he spun his defender to enter the box.

But City’s number ten saw his strike parried away by Travers as the Potters lost in the league at home for the first time in five.