The Day Moreno Stole The Glory At Stoke!

Att: 13,242



An 81st-minute winner from Middlesbrough's Bolivian striker Jaime Moreno boosted the visitors' promotion hopes and ensured Chris Kamara's home debut as Stoke manager did not have a fairytale ending.

Stoke, until Moreno's late decider, had shown much of the passion Kamara had demanded from his new charges, although the match as a spectacle was disappointing.

Kamara, given a tremendous reception by the home supporters before kick-off, has already restructured the side in just nine days in the Britannia Stadium hotseat, but new-look Stoke were unable to alter their alarming ability to give away soft goals.

Kamara had paid particular attention to the defence, with Paul Holsgrove as sweeper and Justin Whittle man-marking Boro dangerman Paul Merson.

And apart from an early long-range effort from Craig Hignett, the game-plan worked until the 17th minute.

Then Andy Townsend's measured pass put Andy Campbell through on goal, but Stoke goalkeeper Carl Muggleton turned his angled shot behind for a corner.

But when Townsend took the corner, Boro skipper Nigel Pearson fought off Whittle's attentions to direct a free header into the corner despite a vain attempt by Tosh McKinlay to keep the ball out.

The Potters' wheel of fortune seemed to have turned in the 36th minute when Ray Wallace collected the loose ball and bided his time before feeding overlapping McKinlay.

The Scot, eager to press his claims for a place in Craig Brown's World Cup squad, tumbled when challenged by Boro's Steve Baker and referee Paul Richards pointed to the spot. Baker protested his innocence but Graham Kavanagh netted a textbook spot-kick.

Buoyed by their equaliser, Stoke took the game to Boro but neither side could string together moves to break down their opponents' defence.

Despite all Stoke's bustle and industry, their best chance came in the second half, Kevin Keen heading wide when he should have done better from a pinpoint McKinlay cross.

Boro sent on foreign strikers Moreno and Dane Mikkel Beck, but still lacked penetration.

The match appeared to be heading towards a draw when Moreno conjured a goal from nothing.

Baker won the ball and it broke to Moreno on the edge of the box. He beat Muggleton at his near post with a precise finish.

Then 90 seconds later, McKinlay was sent off after grabbing the back of Hignett's neck.

Moreno and Hignett missed chances for a third goal that Boro did not really deserve.

STOKE v BORO RECENT HISTORY

2008/2009 Sat 30 Aug Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Stoke City Premier League
1997/1998 Sun 01 Feb Stoke City 1 - 2 Middlesbrough League Division One
Sat 23 Aug Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Stoke City League Division One
1994/1995 Sat 08 Apr Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Stoke City League Division One
Sat 31 Dec Stoke City 1 - 1 Middlesbrough League Division One
1993/1994 Sat 11 Dec Stoke City 3 - 1 Middlesbrough League Division One
Tue 14 Sep Middlesbrough 1 - 2 Stoke City League Division One
1989/1990 Sat 14 Apr Stoke City 0 - 0 Middlesbrough Second Division
Mon 01 Jan Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Stoke City Second Division
1987/1988 Sat 12 Dec Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Stoke City Second Division
Sat 22 Aug Stoke City 1 - 0 Middlesbrough Second Division
1985/1986 Sat 07 Dec Stoke City 3 - 2 Middlesbrough Second Division
Tue 10 Sep Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Stoke City Second Division
1981/1982 Sat 20 Feb Stoke City 2 - 0 Middlesbrough First Division
Sat 26 Sep Middlesbrough 3 - 2 Stoke City First Division
1980/1981 Sat 21 Feb Middlesbrough 3 - 1 Stoke City First Division
Sat 27 Sep Stoke City 1 - 0 Middlesbrough First Division
1979/1980 Sat 23 Feb Middlesbrough 1 - 3 Stoke City First Division
Sat 13 Oct Stoke City 0 - 0 Middlesbrough First Division
1976/1977 Sat 01 Jan Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Stoke City First Division
Sat 06 Nov Stoke City 3 - 1 Middlesbrough First Division
1975/1976 Sat 17 Jan Stoke City 1 - 0 Middlesbrough First Division
Sat 06 Sep Middlesbrough 3 - 0 Stoke City First Division
1974/1975 Sat 01 Mar Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Stoke City First Division
Sat 31 Aug Stoke City 1 - 1 Middlesbrough First Division
1973/1974 Tue 06 Nov Middlesbrough 1 - 2 Stoke City League Cup
Wed 31 Oct Stoke City 1 - 1 Middlesbrough League Cup