Home record intact

Last updated : 27 October 2002 By Reggie Holdsworth
The Boro players congratulate Joseph-Desire Job after his equaliser
In a tremendously competitive match Boro managed to salvage a point against a whinging and moaning Leeds team that also had the man-in-black doing his best to help them out.

With only ten minutes gone Rob Styles pointed straight to the spot, as Mark Viduka took a dive over Ugo Ehiogu's out-stetched leg, a decision that infuriated the Boro players and crowd. Mark Schwarzer almost got his finger tips to the ball as Viduka took the penalty himself.

The goal encouraged Boro to go forward and they got the equaliser they deserved after 25 minutes. Following a corner Leeds failed to clear a viciously spinning ball, which fell to Gareth Southgate, who fed Geremi on the right.

The Cameroon star picked out his fellow compatriate, Joseph-Desire Job, who side-footed the ball into the net from 6 yards, much to the delight of one fellow in the West Stand who was proudly flying the flag for Boro's two Cameroon stars.

Boro were in complete control and it only seemed a matter of time before they took the lead. The trend continued into the second half and Paul Robinson made a superb save to deny Job after jus two minutes of the half.

With 55 minutes gone, and against the run-of-play, Leeds took the lead, with their only move of note in the game. Harry Kewell and Viduka played a one-two which saw Kewell fire in a hard low shot that Schwarzer could only parry, and Lee Bowyer reacted quicker than Franck Queudrue to stab the ball home.

Boro were back fighting for an equaliser. Alen Boksic and Massimo Maccarone were disappointing, with the former being replaced by Szilard Nemeth in an attempt to pep up the attack.

Geremi almost got the vital goal but his free-kick came back off the cross-bar as Robinson could only look on.

The game had a dramatic switch with just over ten minutes left, after Alan Smith was sent-off for his second bookable offence when he caught Gareth Southgate. It gave Boro the upper hand and they capitalised a few minutes later.

Boro won a corner on the right and Geremi took one of the poorest corners you've ever seen. Somehow the Leeds defence missed the ball on the front post and Southgate was on hand to poke the ball home from inside the six-yard box.

With seconds remaining Mr. Styles evened it up by brandishing the red card again, this time to Boro's Queudrue for his second bookable offence.

George Boateng was involved with Jonathan Woodgate and Danny Mills after the final whistle. It was later alledged that Boateng had spat at the Leeds players. Boro will have to wait for the referee's report to find out if there could be an FA punishment for Boateng.

It was an enthralling game and one which Boro will be disappointed not to win after playing the better football for much of the game. But on the other hand they showed great commitment to come back twice against a team that will be challenging for Europe come May.