Jutkiewicz double but Boro hit by late Rams equaliser

Paul Coutts denied Middlesbrough the chance to climb to eighth in the npower Championship table as his late equaliser earned Derby a first point on Teesside in 12 years.

Theo Robinson saw his early penalty cancelled out by Lukas Jutkiewicz in the 19th minute, the Polish striker teeing up what would have been a seventh straight defeat for the Rams at the Riverside with an unchallenged header in the final stages.

But Boro failed to contain their opponents at the death, Coutts keeping Tony Mowbray’s men tethered to mid-table until the weekend at least.

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Grant Leadbitter warmed Frank Fielding’s palms and Seb Hines cut out a dangerous pullback from Robinson as a frantic 45 minutes sparked into life.

Jutkiewicz should have made Boro’s early pressure count, though, instead scooping Leadbitter’s free-kick over the crossbar before Derby took the lead in the 16th minute.

A typically tricky Rams counter-attack saw Craig Bryson wade into the area only to tumble under the attentions of Andre Bikey, leaving Robinson to tuck home the spot-kick.

But Boro were completely undeterred and levelled three minutes later. Richard Keogh conceded a free-kick well within Leadbitter’s preferred range, the former Sunderland man seeing his low drive fumbled by Fielding, before raising a smile as Jutkiewicz bundled home the rebound.

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The hosts then took the lead through a familiar source, Jutkiewicz turning in time to notice Zemmama’s forward chip and twisting his neck to guide the ball into the top corner.

Boro were up to eighth place as it stood, but in all the excitement, they let their guard slip at a critical moment, Coutts lashing home after a goalmouth scramble. And it would have been Derby’s first victory at on Teesside since 2000 had Robinson tucked away the easiest of chances before the final whistle.

Blackburn saw their winless streak extended to three games as Nottingham Forest claimed a 0-0 draw at the City Ground.