Middlesbrough 2 Charlton Athletic 2: Mowbray blast sparks late rally from Boro

Mowbray’s side were two down after 17 minutes to a Bradley Pritchard strike and a Rhys Williams own goal before scrapping back after the break through Marvin Emnes and Scott McDonald.

Boro, early-season promotion contenders who have hit the skids spectacularly since the turn of the year, were booed off at the break.

“I can understand the fans’ frustrations,” said Mowbray. “We built up their expectations in the first half of the season and have let them down in the second.

“And I was angry. Maybe there wasn’t a lot riding on the game for us but I told them it was the last home match and I expected a display.

“But we started off very slowly, very badly and yes we recovered to come back after the break and ultimately we got a point but it was still a very disappointing day.

“With respect, in my opinion we should be beating teams like Charlton here at our place. And the fans think so too.

“It has been a frustrating season but we must learn from it. We know next year we need to be tighter and keep more clean sheets and build a stronger mentality within the group.”

After such a shocking start, Middlesbrough finally came to life with a much stronger finish to the game.

Emnes threw Boro a lifeline with 14 minutes left, converting Grant Leadbitter’s cross from the right high into the net from close range, before being replaced in a tactical switch by Luke Williams.

Boro then salvaged a point as McDonald headed home Mustapha Carayol’s corner in the 87th minute, while there was still time for Carayol and then Danny Hollands at the other end to go close to snatching all three points.

Middlesbrough: Steele, Halliday, Bikey, Rhys Williams, Hoyte, Reach (Ledesma 54), Leadbitter, Smallwood, Carayol, Main (McDonald 54), Emnes (Luke Williams 78). Unused substitutes: Leutwiler, Bailey,

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Dervite, Wiggins, Pritchard, Gower, Hollands, Harriott (Kerkar 80), Fuller (Obika 80), Kermorgant. Unused substitutes: Button, Taylor, Green, Haynes, Wilson.

Referee: D Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

Man of the match: Bradley Pritchard.