Albion and Middlesbrough play out PL2 draw

ALBION’s Premier League 2 side were held to a goalless draw by Middlesbrough on a bitterly cold night at Aggborough.

 

Callum McManaman, Jonathan Leko and Alex Palmer all played 90 minutes, while Kane Wilson was replaced in the 68th minute after suffering a knock to his knee.

 

The result keeps James Shan’s men fifth in the division two table, occupying the final play-off position.

 

The visitors made a quick start and should have gone ahead through forward Carlos De Pena when he found himself in acres of room six yards out, only for Alex Palmer to make a quite brilliant save down low to his left.

 

Boro keeper Joseph Fryer then made an almost identical save at the other end to keep out Shaun Donnellan’s driven effort after meeting McManaman’s right wing cross.

 

 

 

De Pena came close again for the Teessiders midway through the half, while Andre Wright fired high and wide from the edge of the penalty area in added time.

 

McManaman struck straight into the arms of Fryer with a free-kick from 25 yards out soon after the restart, but the winger’s attempt proved to be the only real chance of note in what was a cagey and hard-fought second period where neither side managed to break the deadlock.

 

And Baggies boss James Shan thought the 0-0 scoreline was a fair indication of how the game went.

 

"They probably created the better chances in the first half, but Alex [Palmer] didn't have a great deal to do in the second period.

 

"He was excellent again, he made some important saves at important times.

 

"This one was a bad day at the office.

 

"We gave the ball away at times so I was disappointed with that aspect of the game.

 

"We played a different shape for some of the game, one we weren't familiar with.

 

"But regardless of that, we're bitterly disappointed."

 

The Baggies are back in Premier league 2 action on Monday, December 12 (ko 7pm), when rivals Wolves pay a visit to Aggborough.