ALBERT Adomah raced away to celebrate with Middlesbrough supporters at an ecstatic Riverside Stadium after providing the icing on the cake as Boro warmed up for Wembley in fitting fashion.

His 78th-minute strike, the hosts' third and final one in a 3-0 victory over Brentford on May 15, 2015, sweetened the Teessiders' emphatic play-off semi-final win over the Bees, a 5-1 aggregate success.

That moment represents the last time that Boro found the net in play-off football. In six matches since, they have drawn a blank.

The grim run covers a final with Norwich, two semi-final eliminations to Aston Villa and Coventry and now a first leg against Southampton.

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire.

placeholder image — Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire.

Should the Teessiders end that sequence in a finely-poised tie with Saints tonight, the hope is that the goal scored is a hugely significant one.

In a tie handed a fair amount of spice by the events of Spygate 2.0, it is time for Boro to show fire, but also ice on the pitch.

Their issues in front of goal in the spring have been well documented - with the first leg being a case in point. But what a moment it would be if Boro saved something special for St Mary's.

Southampton are rightly viewed as favourites, given home advantage - they are also unbeaten in 21 matches against Championship opposition since Hull City triumphed by the Solent on January 17.

Southampton's Leo Scienza (left) and Middlesbrough's Riley McGree battle for the ball during the Sky Bet Championship play off semi-final first leg match at the Riverside Stadium.

Boro's form on their travels offers succour at least. Since New Year's Day, their sole away defeat at league level has been at champions Coventry.

Boss Kim Hellberg said: "We have lost one in 11 or 12 away games, so I think we're strong away from home.

"We know we're a very good team and I think there was a lot of confidence from the (weekend) performance and we'll use that going into the game and know we can beat every team in this league.

"We've been strong, putting up good performances and (must) keep doing that.

"Then it will always come down to small margins in terms of when you score a goal, or block the goal, or whatever it is, and we need those margins being on our side (at Southampton). That will be an important thing."

The fear among many Boro followers is that Saints' squad in depth on the bench could prove a trump card.

Kuryu Matsuki, Shea Charles and Ross Stewart made a difference on Saturday, with Boro's options - with respect - not as infinite.

Remaining optimistic, Hellberg said: "There's nothing to complain about and think about now, it's just trusting in the people that are here.

"We've been going into a situation with a lot of players away (before); where Riley (McGree) had to step off the day before a game because things happened. Hayden (Hackney); the best player in the league, has been out and we've seen (good) performances (since) in terms of that.

"I think that shows a lot about the group and how they work together, and the character and braveness in being the team we want to be."